Zoloft: How Can It Help You with Depression?
Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI. It works by affecting the chemicals in the brain that have become unbalanced due to panic, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and most importantly depression.
Zoloft is used for the treatment of the following conditions:
- Depression;
- OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder;
- Post-traumatic stress disorder;
- Anxiety disorder;
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder;
- Panic disorder
The medication is known to bring about an improvement in your sleep, mood, energy level, and appetite. It is also known to reduce unwanted thoughts and your fear of something. In fact, the oral drug works to reduce your urge to perform a repeated task.
How To Use Zoloft?
The medical guide or leaflet that has been provided by the doctor needs to be read carefully, before starting the medicine and every time you get a refill. The medicine for symptoms of depression has to be taken by mouth, once every day, either in the morning or in the night. The oral drug might be taken with or without food.
In case, you are taking the medication for your premenstrual problems, then you need to take the medication every day for two weeks for an entire month, before the period till the day you start having a period. The dosage of the medicine is based on the severity of the medical condition and the way you react to the drug. In order to reduce the risk of the side effects, the doctor may advise you start off with a low dosage of the medicine and then increase your dose gradually. Make sure that you take the medication regularly so that you can have the maximum benefit out of the drug. If you take the medicine at the same time every day, you will not forget to take it.
Even if you feel well; you should not stop taking the medication without the consultation of the doctor. It is important that you take the medication as it has been prescribed to you. The conditions might worsen if you stop taking the drug suddenly. In fact, stopping it suddenly might result in side effects like:
- Tiredness;
- A headache;
- Brief feeling like an electric shock;
- Mood swing;
- Sleep changes
The doctor might gradually reduce the dosage for decreasing the side effects.
Side Effects of Zoloft
You need to get medical help if you have signs of allergies after using the medicine like:
- Difficulty in breathing;
- Swelling of the tongue, face, lips, or throat;
- Hives or skin rash
If you have any worsening or new symptoms, you need to report to your doctor immediately. Such symptoms are:
- Behavior and mood change;
- Fast heart rate;
- Overactive reflexes;
- Agitated;
- Hostile;
- Irritable;
- Restless;
- Aggressive;
- Hyperactive;
- Thoughts of hearing yourself;
- Suicidal tendencies
Call the doctor immediately if you have:
- High levels of serotonin in the body;
- Low levels of sodium;
- A seizure;
- Maniac episodes
Common side effects of Zoloft:
- Drowsiness;
- Tired feeling;
- Dry mouth;
- Change in appetite;
- Dizziness;
- Sleep problems;
- Impotence;
- A decrease in sex drive;
- Difficulty in attaining orgasm
At times, the medication might lead to a painful or prolonged erection. If you do not get immediate medical help, it might result in some permanent disorder.
Precautions
Before taking Zoloft, you need to tell the doctor if you have any allergy to the drug or an allergy in general. The product might contain inactive ingredients that might lead to allergic reaction. Inform your doctor about your medical history, particularly if you have:
- Liver disease;
- Seizure disorder;
- Bleeding issues;
- Personal family history of glaucoma;
- Thyroid disease
This drug has a tendency of making you dizzy, thus you should avoid doing any activity that requires you to be alert. Adults are generally more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. As a matter of fact, they might develop a salt imbalance in their body, especially if they are having water pills. Children taking this drug might suffer from loss of appetite and loss of weight. If you are pregnant, the medication should be consumed only when clearly needed. This is because it might harm the unborn baby. If you are taking antibiotics, make sure you talk to the doctor before taking the medicine.
