Zoloft

Zoloft Prescription:
Zoloft is available only with doctor’s prescription which may be taken with or without food in a full or empty stomach. This medicine should be taken once a day in the morning or at night. But above all one should follow doctor's instructions. You can take the oral concentrate of Zoloft mixed with 4 ounces of water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade or orange juice. But remember to take it right away after mixing.

Mental depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder patients should take:
Oral extended-release capsule dosage:

Adults: Initially, usually 50 mg once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. The doctor will increase the dose if required.
Children: Use and dosage must be determined by a doctor only.

Panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or social anxiety disorder patients should take:
Adults: Initially, 25 mg once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. The doctor will increase the dose if required.
Children: Use and dosage must be determined by a doctor only.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder patients should take:
Oral extended-release capsule dosage:

Adults: Initially 37.5 mg a day, taken in one dose in the morning or evening for 7 days. The doctor will increase the dose if required.
Children: Use and dosage must be determined by a doctor only.

Mental depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or social anxiety disorder patients should take:
Adults: Initially 12.5 to 25 mg once a day, taken either in the morning or evening. The doctor will increase the dose if required.
Children: Use and dosage must be determined by a doctor only.

Zoloft Missed Dose:
Because Zoloft may be given to different patients at different times of the day, a doctor’s advice should be followed about any missed doses.

Zoloft Overdose:
The symptoms of Zoloft overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, seizures, agitation, drowsiness, hyperactivity, and enlarged pupils. If you have taken an overdose of this medicine, seek immediate medical attention.

Zoloft Side Effects:
There is only one common known side effect for Zoloft that is, decreased sexual desire or ability; failure to discharge semen in men. Other less common side effects include aggressive reaction; breast tenderness or enlargement; fast, pounding, irregular, or slow heartbeat; fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are out of control; fever; inability to sit still; increase in body movements ; loss of bladder control; low blood sodium confusion, convulsions, drowsiness, dryness of mouth, increased thirst, lack of energy; muscle nose bleeds ; red or purple spots on skin; restlessness; serotonin syndrome like diarrhea, fever, spasm of all extremities; increased sweating, mood or behavior changes, overactive reflexes, racing heartbeat, restlessness, shivering or shaking; skin rash, hives, or itching; unusual or sudden body or facial movements or postures ; sudden loss of consciousness ; unusual secretion of milk in females.
Continue to take Zoloft after consulting your doctor if you experience the following less serious side effects e.g. agitation, anxiety, or nervousness; burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings; changes in vision, including blurred vision; cloudy urine; bladder pain; constipation; difficult, burning, or painful urination; flushing or redness of skin, with feeling of warmth or heat; increased appetite; frequent urge to urinate; pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones; stuffy or running nose; vomiting.

* Talk to your doctor about any side effect other than the following that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Zoloft Precaution:
Zoloft can cause serious or fatal reaction if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine and pimozide during the last 2 weeks. a benzodiazepine such as diazepam, alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, temazepam, triazolam, and others; a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, nortriptyline, and others; a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine thioridazine, fluphenazine, mesoridazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, and other lithium or clozapine; almotriptan, frovatriptan, sumatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan; carbamazepine or phenytoin; warfarin; digoxin; cimetidine; or bupropion. At the same time, the doctor must know about your health problems, especially Bleeding problems, abnormal or Purpura, or history of (purplish or brownish-red discoloration of skin), Brain disease or damage or Mental retardation or Seizure disorders, Dehydration or Hyponatremia (condition in which your body has too little sodium especially in older adults, heart attack, recent or heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, mania, weight loss. Please remember not to stop taking this medicine without doctor’s advice. This will help you avoid the discontinuation symptoms such as anxiety, dizziness, feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings, headache, increased sweating, nausea, trembling or shaking, trouble in sleeping or walking, or unusual exhaustion.