Q: Which Is Better For Ocd: Prozac Or Zoloft
A: Both Prozac and Zoloft are different types of SSRI antidepressants, which mean they affect the brain in the same ways. Studies have shown that most SSRIs, including Prozac and Zoloft, have a similar level of effectiveness for both depression and OCD. In short, whether Prozac or Zoloft is better for you will depend on your specific situation. Talk to your doctor to figure out which to start with.
Risk Of Bias In Included Studies
The overall quality of included studies was low and the reporting of trials was often inadequate .
Methodological quality graph: review authors judgements about each methodological quality item presented as percentages across all included studies.
Allocation
The great majority of included studies used an adequate sequence generation. However, only one study reported enough details on allocation concealment .
Blinding
Almost all studies were reported to be double-blind trials. Five trials were reported to be single-blind and two did not give any information about blinding . However, only 13 studies reported sufficient details on blinding.
Incomplete outcome data
Methodological quality summary: review authors judgements about each methodological quality item for each included study.
Selective reporting
Only 18 studies were indicated to be free from selective reporting .
Other potential sources of bias
Many of the included studies were sponsored by the manufacturer of sertraline, especially studies comparing sertraline with older drugs .
How The Intervention Might Work
Compared with other SSRIs, sertraline is a potent and specific inhibitor of serotonin uptake into the presynaptic terminal, with a modest activity as inhibitor of dopamine uptake . Sertraline has minimal inhibitory effects on the major cytochrome P450 enzymes, mildly inhibiting the CYP2D6 iso-form, and with little effect on CYP1A2, CYP3A3/4, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 . Sertraline inhibits neither norepinephrine uptake nor monoamine oxidase activity and possesses no significant anticholinergic activity. For these reasons, since its discovery, sertraline has been thought to lack a number of biochemical actions that may sustain some of the undesirable effects of other ADs .
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What Causes Depression Medications To Stop Working
Multiple factors can change the way your body responds to an antidepressant, including:
- Drug or alcohol use. Illicit drug use and alcohol can cause strong mood changes, which can make antidepressants ineffective.
- Pregnancy. Your body’s weight and blood volume increase when you’re pregnant. Talk to your doctor about taking antidepressants while pregnant, and about potentially adjusting your dosage to continue relieving symptoms.
- New stressors. A new stressful situation at home or work can result in a mood response for which the antidepressant can’t compensate.
- Other medications. Interactions between antidepressants and medications for other health conditions can affect how well an antidepressant works.
Most often, though, antidepressants stop working for what seems to be no reason. “There’s no good research that shows why a medication may stop working for someone,” says Nestadt. “I think it’s less an issue of building up tolerance and more likely constantly changing stressors and factors in the brain.”
What Are The Side Effects Of Zoloft
With any medication, there are risks and benefits. Even if the medication is working, you may experience some unwanted side effects.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Serotonin syndrome
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your doctor know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
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Zoloft Side Effects: What To Expect In The First Week Of Taking Zoloft
Starting dose | Side effects | Missing a dose | Overdose | When to see a doctor
Living with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression can make daily life stressful. Luckily, there are many treatment options available for people who seek relief from anxiety or depression. Zoloft is a prescription medication used to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and when taken properly, it can make daily life more manageable. Lets take a more in-depth look at how to take Zoloft, what side effects to look out for in the first week, and what else to expect when you first start this medication.
What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know If My Child Is Being Prescribed An Antidepressant
Parents or guardians need to think about 4 important things when their child is prescribed an antidepressant:
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Agreements And Disagreements With Other Studies Or Reviews
Another complex issue about antidepressants is the increased risk for suicidality . In 2007 the Food and Drug Administration licensed a comprehensive report about the occurrence of suicidality in the course of treatment of adult patients with various antidepressants . This individual patient data analysis showed that the odds ratios for suicidality and suicidal behaviour attributable to antidepressant treatment in adults with psychiatric disorders were 0.83 and 1.10 , respectively. Among all antidepressants sertraline was the only agent with a favourable statistically significant risk over placebo . In the current review there were insufficient data to be able to draw conclusions on lower or higher risk for suicidality between sertraline and other antidepressive agents.
Hint: It’s Not An Antidepressant Effect
byElizabeth Hlavinka, Staff Writer, MedPage Today September 19, 2019
When there is clinical uncertainty about whether antidepressants should be prescribed in primary care settings, the presence of anxiety symptoms may indicate an increased chance of benefit, a randomized trial found.
In a group of 550 primary care patients with mild to severe depressive symptoms, sertraline did not reduce depressive symptoms at six weeks compared to placebo as measured through the 9-Item Patient Health Questionnaire , reported Gemma Lewis, PhD, of University College London in England, and colleagues.
However, there were mild improvements in depressive symptoms at 12 weeks, with a 13% reduction in PHQ-9 scores as a secondary outcome, the authors wrote in Lancet Psychiatry.
Secondary analyses also found that sertraline was associated with reduced anxiety symptoms at 6 weeks and 12 weeks compared to placebo, as well as improved functioning and self-reported mental health, they noted.
“Our findings support the prescription of SSRI antidepressants in a wider group of participants than previously thought, including those with mild to moderate symptoms who do not meet diagnostic criteria for depression or anxiety disorder, especially when anxiety symptoms such as worry and restlessness are present,” Lewis told MedPage Today in an email.
“In the process of pharmacotherapy, antidepressant discontinuation deserves as much clinical attention as antidepressant initiation,” Penninx wrote.
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Zoloft Reviews For Depression
Many users take Zoloft for depression and report it to be effective.
Zoloft has a 7.2/10 average rating from patients using it to treat depression on Drugs.com. On WebMD, reviewers have given Zoloft an average of 3.5/5 stars for treatment of depression.Most users who didnt like Zoloft report side effects that outweighed the positives .
Some Zoloft reviewers, like Kitten.666 from Drugs.com, who reports that she is a 20-year-old female, claim that the medication saved their life:
I love Zoloft! I can live again! Im laughing and going out with friends, not laying in bed all day. I can finally breathe, my surroundings seem so much brighter, I dont harbor hate anymore, Im me againMore ambitious and creative like I was before I fell into this self destructive path of depression two years ago.
Many reviewers echo this sentiment, saying that Zoloft was enough to lift them out of their depression.
While most Zoloft users report a strong positive or negative reaction to the medication, a few dont experience much of a reaction at all, or report that it is mildly helpful in treating their depression. User cisuggs from Drugs.com offers one such Zoloft review, reporting a more manageable state of mind overall on the drug:
Overall I definitely experienced less crying and general hopelessness on Zoloft. I still had my bad days but in general its manageable.
Use Of Zoloft For Anxiety Treatment
Zoloft is a prescription drug approved to alleviate different types of anxiety disorders. Anxiety is an unwanted disorder that is characterized by a nerve disorder, worry, overreaction, mood swings, unwanted thoughts, feelings of guilt and unpleasant fear. Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in the form of Zoloft that is given to maintain a high level of serotonin in the brain. It elevates the mood and controls the anxiety. It is used for various anxiety treatments as below:
- Pain disorder
- Mood swings
- Lethargy
Studies reveal that men and women suffer from various panic attacks due to anxiety. Zoloft is found to reduce the urge to perform repetitive tasks that interfere in the daily life. It balances the natural substances in the brain and keeps the patient calm. If the medicine is given for premenstrual problems, the doctor may direct you to take the medicine every day of the month or two weeks before the periods to control anxiety disorders.
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Precautions To Be Followed
Its important to be careful about when, how much and how often you take Zoloft as an anxiety relieving medication. The drug has many side effects, prompting doctors to generally start with a small dose and increase it gradually. Taking the medicine at the same time every day helps enhance the effect of Zoloft. You need to consult your doctor not just before starting with this medication but also for increasing or decreasing the dosage.
Dont stop the medication without checking with your doctor even if you feel relieved of your anxiety symptoms. Like most anti-anxiety medications, this is also best phased out gradually, under the guidance of your doctor. Stopping it abruptly can worsen the condition in some cases, besides causing other side effects such as sleep problems, headache, lethargy and mood swings. Abrupt cessation of the medicine can also trigger an electric shock like sensation.
You also need to be careful about possible allergies with the use of Zoloft. Check out the ingredients on the label before using the drug and, if needed, also check with your doctor after apprising him of your medical history. Zoloft may cause problems if taken with thyroid, liver, vision or bleeding problems. Alcohol consumption and driving may not be safe to undertake while using Zoloft, so do consult your doctor on the same.
Selective Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors
Both SSNRI and SSRI medications affect serotonin levels, but SSNRI drugs also impact the level of norepinephrine, another neurotransmitter that may affect mood. This type of medication is helpful for those who have extreme fatigue associated with depression, or who have had side effects or poor response to SSRI drugs.
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What Side Effects Can Zoloft Cause
Common side effects can include: constipation uncontrollable shaking changes in sex drive
It also is recommended that you wait to drive or operate machinery until you know how the medication affects you. It is also recommended that people avoid alcohol and illegal drugs while on the medication, as they can worsen adverse effects. Report side effects to your doctor immediately. Serious side effects can include seizures, bleeding or bruising, swelling, hives, rash, trouble breathing, agitation, fever, fast heartbeat, vomiting, muscle stiffness, loss of coordination, or hallucinations. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or online.
Some Side Effects Can Be Serious If You Experience Any Of The Following Symptoms Or Those Listed In The Important Warning Or Special Precautions Section Call Your Doctor Immediately:
- seizures
- abnormal bleeding or bruising
- agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, confusion, fast heartbeat, shivering, severe muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- headache, weakness, unsteadiness, confusion, or memory problems
- rash
- swelling
- difficulty breathing
Sertraline may decrease appetite and cause weight loss in children. Your child’s doctor will watch his or her growth carefully. Talk to your child’s doctor if you have concerns about your child’s growth or weight while he or she is taking this medication. Talk to your child’s doctor about the risks of giving sertraline to your child.
Sertraline may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
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Is It Better To Take Sertraline In The Morning Or At Night
It depends on the person. Sertralines effectiveness doesnt depend on the time its taken, but your sleep schedule may be better if you take it at a certain time of day.
For some people, sertraline can make you feel tired and sleepy. For others, sertraline can cause insomnia or difficulty sleeping. But, thankfully, sertraline tends to cause less drowsiness than other antidepressants.
If sertraline makes you feel tired or sleepy, try taking it in the evening before bed. If sertraline makes it harder for you to fall asleep, try taking it in the morning after waking up.
What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking sertraline.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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Is This All I Need To Know If My Child Is Being Prescribed An Antidepressant
No. This is a warning about the risk for suicidality. Other side effects can occur with antidepressants. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider to explain all the side effects of the particular drug he or she is prescribing. Also ask about drugs to avoid when taking an antidepressant. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist where to find more information.
*Prozac is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company
*Zoloft is a registered trademark of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
*Anafranil is a registered trademark of Mallinckrodt Inc.
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for all antidepressants.
“Do you know…” is an educational series for patients and their families.
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People With Seizure Disorders
If you have epilepsy or other types of seizures , let your doctor know a heightened risk of seizures is a rare but serious side effect of sertraline.
Even if you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, that doesnt automatically disqualify you for sertraline treatment. Talk to your psychiatrist or medical provider to figure out together whether or not sertraline might be a good fit for your specific situation.
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Benefits And Side Effects Of Zoloft
- Post author Scientific review: Dr Heben’s Team
Zoloft is a name of a very popular medicine trademark, particularly in the United States. It is estimated that each year, there are 29,652,000 prescriptions issued and writing the name of this trademark. The high demand implied that the problem this medicine could solve is common in the United States. Do you have any idea on what is that? Well, let me tell you. It is an anti-depressant medicine and you may likely want to say that depression is common problem not only in the United States, but also in all countries around the world. Therefore, read on this article you perhaps find useful information for you and your family.
Brief Introduction on Zoloft
As mentioned before, Zoloft is the trademark name, while the generic name is setraline HCI. That is why you could find both names at the package of this product. The function of Zoloft, which is anti-depressant, is also known as SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Zoloft itself works by restoring the correct and proper balance of naturally founded chemicals inside the brain. This way of work would give significant and positive effect in coping with depression, anxiety, frustration and other problems of brain because of disorder mental condition.
Side Effects
Get A Prescription For Zoloft Online
Did you know you can get a refill prescription for Zoloft online* without having to go to a providers office? With GoodRx Care, you can connect with a licensed healthcare provider for a virtual visit from the comfort and privacy of your home. And with GoodRx Gold Mail Delivery, you can order your Zoloft prescription and have it mailed right to your door.
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* Zoloft is a refill-only medication. We cant start you on Zoloft if you dont have an existing prescription.
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Sertraline For Panic Disorder
Studies have found that Zoloft decreases the prevalence of panic attacks for people with panic disorder by up to 80 percent. Even a placebo drug, however, decreased panic attacks by 40 percent this means that sertraline decreases panic attacks by about half compared to placebo.
As an important side note, sertraline has been found to be effective for people with panic disorder whether or not they also suffer from agoraphobia.