Thursday, July 30, 2020

Precautions You Should Take Before Taking Zoloft

Precautions You Should Take Before Taking Zoloft Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Print Precautions You Should Take Before Taking Zoloft By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on November 16, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on December 05, 2019 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Verywell / JR Bee In This Article Table of Contents Expand Starting Zoloft Serious Side Effects Missing a Dose Overdose Stopping Zoloft View All Zoloft  (sertraline) belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These medications work by increasing the level of available serotonin in the brain.?? Low levels of serotonin in the brain are linked to a depressed mood as well as other psychiatric symptoms. Besides major depressive disorder, Zoloft is also FDA-approved to treat the following psychiatric conditions:?? PTSDPanic disorder  OCDSocial anxiety disorderPremenstrual dysphoric disorder Learning how Zoloft works and what to watch out for when taking it can help you cope with your illness better and stick to your treatment plan. Starting Zoloft Its important that you dont expect immediate results when taking Zoloft. People typically notice some improvement within a week or two, but it may take several weeks until you feel the full effects of the drug. Also, when you start taking Zoloft, you may experience some side effects. The most common ones include nausea or upset stomach, diarrhea, sweating, tremor, or a decreased appetite. Sexual side effects may also occur, most notably delayed ejaculation and decreased libido.?? If any of these the side effects dont go away  or are giving you significant problems, be sure to contact your doctor. Sometimes simple remedies can ease the side effects of taking Zoloft like taking it at a different time of day or changing the dose. Other times, if the side effects are too bothersome, your doctor may recommend switching to a different SSRI or a different class of medication altogether. Common Side Effects Nausea Diarrhea Sweating Tremor Difficulty with ejaculation Decreased libido Decreased appetite Serious Side Effects Suicidal thoughts and behavior in children or young adults Serotonin syndrome Bleeding risk with blood thinners Mania or hypomania with bipolar disorder Low sodium levels Allergic reaction (rare) Risk in pregnancy of infant developing persistent pulmonary hypertension Serious Side Effects In addition to the common side effects mentioned above, there are some serious effects to be on the lookout for if you are taking Zoloft. Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior A black-box-warning refers to a serious notice made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about this medication. The black-box warning for Zoloft indicates it may cause or increase thoughts of suicide in children and young adults. Monitor your loved one, or yourself if youre in this age group, for any signs of such thoughts, and contact your doctor immediately if they occur. Serotonin Syndrome   Taking Zoloft may put you at risk for a rare, but possibly life-threatening condition called  serotonin syndrome. This risk is higher if a person is also taking other serotonin-related medications like triptans (a common migraine medication), tricyclic antidepressants, or the pain medication, Ultram (tramadol), but can occur with taking Zoloft alone, as well. Some of the signs and symptoms of this condition are agitation, confusion, a high heart rate, fluctuating blood pressure, rigid muscles and/or coordination problems, tremor, and gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea.??   To be proactive in avoiding this rare syndrome from occurring, be sure to tell your doctor all the medications you are taking, including any over-the-counter drugs or supplements.   Increased Risk of Bleeding There is an increased chance of bleeding when taking Zoloft along with medications that block platelets or medications that thin your blood. Examples include aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and Coumadin (warfarin).?? Please notify your doctor right away of any bleeding events like nosebleeds or increased bruising. Seek medical attention right away if you notice more serious bleeding events like blood in your stool.   Mania or Hypomania Zoloft can trigger a hypomanic or manic episode in a person with bipolar disorder.?? Remember to tell your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed or suspected of having bipolar disorder, or have a family history of it. Low Sodium Levels Low sodium levels in the bloodstream (called hyponatremia) may occur with Zoloft, in addition to other SSRIs. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia include:?? HeadacheProblems concentratingMemory difficultiesConfusionWeaknessUnsteadiness and potentially falling In more severe cases, hyponatremia can lead to seizures and other serious neurologic and medical issues. Allergic Reaction While not common, if you take Zoloft and develop signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction like rash, hives, swelling, or problems breathing, contact your doctor right away. Pregnancy Zoloft is a pregnancy category C medication, so inform your doctor if you become pregnant on Zoloft or are planning a pregnancy. Zoloft use in the third trimester may increase a babys chance of developing a rare condition known as persistent pulmonary hypertension which can cause breathing problems. In addition, third-trimester use of Zoloft may possibly cause neonatal withdrawal symptoms.?? However, some women may need to continue taking Zoloft during pregnancy because of the benefit of treating their illness outweighs the potential risks. Overall, this decision requires a careful and thoughtful discussion with both an obstetrician and mental health professional.   Missing a Dose Try to take your Zoloft at the same time every day. Setting a timer on your phone may be helpful so you dont forget. But if you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is too close to your next dose. In other words, never take two doses of Zoloft at the same time. Simply take your next scheduled dose and then return to your usual schedule. Overdose Contact Poison Control and your doctor for their guidance if you overdose on Zoloft. The most common signs and symptoms associated with Zoloft overdose include sleepiness, vomiting, a fast heart rate, nausea, dizziness, agitation, and tremor.?? How to Tell If Someone Has Overdosed on Zoloft Stopping Zoloft Stopping sertraline may result in symptoms of withdrawal, also known as SSRI discontinuation syndrome.?? This is one reason why its important to not stop taking Zoloft on your own. If you and your doctor decide its best for you to stop Zoloft, he can provide you with a tapering strategy to minimize any withdrawal symptoms like irritability, increased anxiety, or flu-like symptoms. How to Taper Off Zoloft A Word From Verywell Before prescribing Zoloft, your doctor will perform a thorough medical history. Even so, its important for you to play an active role in your healthcare. In other words, inform your doctor of all the details of your health history, regardless of whether or not you think they are essential.   Overall, Zoloft is a generally well-tolerated and safe medication and has significantly helped many people cope with their psychiatric condition. You deserve to get well, and the good news is that if after trying Zoloft you find it doesnt help, there are lots of other options available.

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