Actual product may differ in appearance from image shown.

Chemical Name: SERTRALINE
 
Common applications

Zoloft is a medicine used to treat depression, stress disorders, antisocial disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. As an antidepressant, it works by restoring the brain's balance of neurotransmitters. It's most effective when used to treat depression-related disorders, but your doctor may prescribe it for other purposes as well.

Precautions

Some medications can interact with this drug negatively. Do not take it if you're also using primozide, or any weight loss medicines. Other drugs which can produce bad side effects are sibutramine, cyproheptadine, dextromethorphan, tryptophan, terfenadine, astemizole, pimozide, st. John's wort, or tramadol.

If you've been taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, you must wait at least two weeks before using Zoloft afterwards. Those medicines include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. If you're currently using any of them, consult your doctor before using this medication.

You may need to apply extra careful monitoring of your dosage if you're currently using some other specific medications, like aripiprazole, clozapine, linezolid, lithium, metoclopramide, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxen, tricyclic anti-depressants (e.g., amitriptyline),

This goes for other ssri anti-depressants such as citalopram or fluvoxamine, nefazodone, venlafaxine, "triptan" migraine medicines (e.g., sumatriptan), risperidone, phenothiazines medicines such as thioridazine, or trazodone. You must inform your doctor of any medical conditions you currently have, or have had in the past six months.

Instructions

You should follow the directions provided by your doctor when using the medicine. Try to set up a daily schedule for using it, preferably doing it in the morning or evening.

Warnings

The medicine should not be used if you've had an allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. The medicine does not act instantly, you may need to wait up to several weeks before you see any results - consult your doctor for more information on that.

Carefully study your body's reaction to this medicine in the beginning of your treatment. The same goes whenever you make any changes to your treatment plan, such as altering the dosage. The medicine must be used until you've fulfilled the golas of the prescription - do not stop it prematurely without consulting your doctor first.

You may experience some side effects, such as restlessness, irritability, hostility, impulsive decisions, and others. If any of these occur, you should contact a doctor immediately. If you're taking care of a person using this medicine, make sure you carefully observe them and provide treatment and assistance when appropriate.

The medicine may induce drowsiness. You must not drive vehicles or use any dangerous machinery while you're under its influence. Alhocol may worsen these effects, so consuming it while using the drug is also counter-indicative. Taking other medicines which produce drowsiness may multiply this effect, so make sure you coordinate your medicine therapy accordingly.

Elderly patients should be aware that the medicine can produce unwanted side effects in them. The medicine may cause a drop in the blood's sodium levels. This is especially important for patients who're currently using diuretics.

Children are normally more sensitive to the medicine's effects. Apply appropriate monitoring over a child if it's being treated with this medicine. Carefully study its weight and height. Women planning on becoming pregnant should make their doctors aware of that - as should women who're breastfeeding or plan to do it in the near future. The medicine can have unknown effects on babies, both born and unborn.

Side effects

The medicine may induce some side effects, including nausea, drowsiness, diarrhea, sweating, trouble sleeping. If those symptoms continue for a long period of time, consult your doctor. If you experience cases of uncontrollable shaking, this may be an indication of more serious side effects, and may require medical intervention. Other symptoms to look for are loss of appetite and sex drive, and decreased sexual ability. If your weight begins to change suddenly, this may also pose a risk to your health when using the medication.

Allergic reactions to this medicine have been shown to be highly unlikely, but in the rare event that you do experience one, seek medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are rashes, swelling, dizziness, difficulty breathing.

Overdose

If you suspect you may have overdosed on the medicine, seek help at your local poison control center. You may experience symptoms such as an increased heartbeat, dizziness, drowsiness, agitation, and shaking.

Final notes

Do not use this medicine to treat other health conditions. Do not share it with individuals to whom it was not prescribed. Keep the medicine out of reach for children and pets. Make sure you supply yourself adequately so that you do not run out.

Drug interactions

This medicine has been known to negatively interact with some other drugs, which can prevent it from accomplishing its goals properly. Consult your doctor to determine if any medications you're currently using can pose such a risk.

Storage

Keep this medicine in a cool, dry place. Make sure it's out of reach for children and pets.