Zoloft

Sertraline

Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Zoloft

Zoloft belongs to a class of drugs called SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Other SSRI drugs in this class are Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Celexa (citalopram) and Luvox (fluvoxamine) etc.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter or a chemical messenger, which is produced by nerve cells in the brain and is used by the nerves to communicate with one another. Serotonin is released into the space surrounding it by a nerve which produces it. This (serotonin) either travels across the space and attaches to receptors on the surface of nearby nerves or it attaches to receptors on the surface of the nerve that produced it, to be taken up by the nerve and released again (a process referred to as re-uptake). Generally there is a balance of serotonin between attachment to the nearby nerves and reuptake. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) blocks the reuptake of serotonin and hence change the level (generally increased) of serotonin in the brain.

Some psychiatric illnesses such as depression are caused by disturbances in the balance between serotonin (generally low level in the brain in depression) and other neurotransmitters. The leading theory is that drugs such as Zoloft (sertraline) restore the chemical balance among neurotransmitters in the brain. Zoloft was approved by the FDA in December, 1991.

Therapeutic Uses of Zoloft

Zoloft is commonly used for treatment of psychiatric disorders like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (or know as OCD), panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (also called PTSD) in adults. Zoloft is also approved for use in treatment of OCD in children of 6 to12 years of age and adolescents of 12 to 17 years of age.

Direction of use of Zoloft

Zoloft is available as tablet to be taken orally. Zoloft is taken once daily and can be taken with food or on empty stomach. Zoloft should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor to get the best result. It should not be taken more or less than prescribed by your doctor. Keep taking Zoloft even if you feel well as stopping it may cause recurrence of your problems. Do not stop taking Zoloft without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. If you need to stop it your doctor will want to decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt and do not stop it after using for few weeks because you are not getting any result.

If You Miss a Dose of Zoloft

If you take Zoloft once a day in the morning, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it, if it is within that day. If you can not remember to take it in that day, you should skip the missed dose of Zoloft and continue your regular dosing schedule. If you take Zoloft once a day at bedtime and do not remember to take it until the next morning, skip the missed dose. Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed one.

How to Store Zoloft

Zoloft should be stored at temperature 25 degrees C (77 degrees F), but can be stored between 15 degrees C to 30 degrees C (59 degrees F to 86 degrees F) for brief period.

More Information About Zoloft

If you experience any of the serious side effects of Zoloft, stop taking Zoloft and consult your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment. The serious side effects of Zoloft are an allergic reaction (the manifestations of severe allergic reaction are difficulty in breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; rash, hives); an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), low blood pressure (symptoms of low blood pressure are dizziness, weakness); high blood pressure (symptoms of high blood pressure are severe headache, blurred vision), chills, fever etc.
If you experience any of the less serious and common side effects Zoloft, continue taking it and talk to your doctor if any of them become bothersome or persistent. The common and less serious side effects of Zoloft are headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, changes in appetite, weight gain or weight loss, sleepiness, insomnia, tremor, nervousness, anxiety, decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm etc.
You may experience other side effects which are not listed here. If experience any such side effect, you should consult your doctor, especially if they become bothersome.

Precautions to be Taken While Taking Zoloft

Before taking Zoloft, you should inform your doctor if you have any liver disease, kidney disease, if you have seizures or suffer from mania or suicidal thoughts. You may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above or you may not be able to take Zoloft.
Pregnancy and breast feeding: Zoloft is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is unknown whether it will be harmful to a growing fetus. Do not take Zoloft without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment with Zoloft. It is not known whether Zoloft passes into breast milk. Do not take Zoloft without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Possible Adverse Effects of Zoloft

If you experience any of the serious side effects of Zoloft, you should stop taking Zoloft and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment. The serious side effects of Zoloft are severe allergic reaction (the symptoms of severe allergic reaction are difficulty in breathing, closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; hives, skin rash etc.); irregular heartbeat or pulse rate; low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness etc. are symptoms of low blood pressure); high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision etc. are symptoms of high blood pressure); chills or fever (signs of infection).
If you experience any of the less serious side effects of Zoloft, keep taking Zoloft and talk to your doctor. The less serious and common side effects of Zoloft are headache, nausea, tremor, nervousness, anxiety, diarrhea, dry mouth, changes in appetite, loss of weight, weight gain, sleepiness or insomnia; or decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Consult your doctor about any side effect that are not listed above or seems unusual, especially if any of them become bothersome.

Illness

Comments

14:09 09/03/10 hello, can you help me a bit? Do you have zoloft sertraline generic images? And what are the common zoloft manufacturers? I've ordered this drug and already get it, but not sure this is what I wanted.
04:55 02/03/10 hi there, can you recommend me any of zoloft forums? I just don't know side effects of zoloft drug. I'm afraid I have increased zoloft dosage and thus afraid about zoloft drug interactions as I'm taking other medications too.
16:05 20/02/10 is there such side effect as zoloft weight gain? What are the common known side-effects of zoloft? The matter is got this side effect. Maybe the matter is in the zoloft dosage? Or zoloft is simply incompatible with me?
13:04 15/02/10 Hi, I've noticed that zoloft is not woriking ant higher dose. Maybe there is real reason in stopping use zoloft? Furthermore I heard about night sweats due to zoloft, thus I'm too concerned about this.
10:33 08/02/10 my doctor prescribed me zoloft for intermittent explosive disorder. I use this drug for several days alreade and I'm feeling the effects of zoloft are quite positive. At least I had no zoloft overdose and didn't noticed any zoloft weight gain. P.s. I purchased the drug at this webstore and suppose will continue to do it in the future.
13:37 02/02/10 Hi, I use zoloft within several days. Anytime I take it why do I feel anxious? Maybe it is one of the zoloft side effects?
02:51 28/01/10 Hello, I read a lot from history of zovirax. But still I ask what is rx zovirax? What are the side effects of zovirax?
02:46 28/01/10 Hi, I started to take zoloft few days ago. Now I experience night sweats of zoloft. Is it one of the secret side effects of zoloft? Thanks in advance..
11:12 14/01/10 Hi, do you have any zoloft information? I search for zoloft negative side effects. For instance, are there any zoloft erectile dysfunction side effects?
10:20 11/01/10 Hello. May be you can help me as soon as you are distributing this medication. Is it possible order cats zoloft in your store? And once more question, is there any correspondence between the use of the zoloft and weight gain? Thanks a lot.

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