About Zoloft
Zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), which
is thought to work by increasing the amount of serotonin (a chemical
involved in communication between nerve cells) available to the
brain, so that it comes back to a normal level. Zoloft has been
shown to be effective in relieving several kinds of emotional disturbance
that decrease the ability to function normally. This includes:
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Posttraumatic stress syndrome
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- fibromyalgia (in low doses)
- Severe PMS or Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) - Approved in 2002
Zoloft is normally taken once a day, and can be taken with or without
food. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose the following
day. Store away from light and heat. Zoloft may take several weeks to improve your condition.
Zoloft should be stopped slowly, by gradually decreasing dosage
as directed by your doctor. Suddenly stopping treatment can cause
increased side effects.
Zoloft is only available by prescription, use as directed.Zoloft Side Effects
Zoloft side effects are usually temporary and rarely cause a level
of discomfort that causes patients to want to stop treatment. Consult
your physician for advice on how to alleviate side effects that
persist or bother you.
Zoloft side effects: sweating, agitation, dry mouth, decreased
appetite, somnolence (drowsiness), dizziness, insomnia, tremor,
constipation, indigestion, diarrhea, decreased libido, yawn, nervousness,
sexual side effects, or weight loss.
Take care to avoid operating a vehicle or other heavy machinery
until you know how you react to Zoloft. Zoloft side effects may
include impaired thinking and motor skills, or cause blurred vision.
Dependence: Zoloft has not been seen to cause dependence or withdrawal symptoms.
Cautions: Zoloft should be used cautiously in patients with:
manic disorders, blood circulation and metabolism difficulties,
or a history of seizures. Zoloft may not be right for patients with
brain damage or disease, or congenital brain defects. Zoloft dosages
should be lower for patients with kidney or liver trouble. Zolof
has not been studied in patients with heart disease. Tell your doctor
if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Zoloft, or any other
medication.
Zoloft Interactions
Certain medications and supplements may increase the risk of serotonin
syndrome in combination with Zoloft. Serotonin syndrome may cause
confusion, restlessness, lowered coordination, shivering or trembling,
diarrhea, fever, sweating, twitching, or behaving with an excitement
you can't control. If you experience a cluster of these symptoms,
and you suspect that it may be due to a drug interaction or overdose,
seek medical attention immediately. (This condition is very rare.)
Zoloft may not mix well with all other medications, either prescription
or over the counter. Some medications should not be mixed at all,
and with others your doctor may want to adjust your dose to decrease
the risk of side effects. Consult with your doctor if you are already
taking, or intend to take, any of the following:
- Alcohol - While Zoloft and alcohol have not been shown to interfere
with each other, but taking them together is not recommended.
- Antabuse (disulfiram)
- Appetite suppressants like Phentermine/Adipex
(fastin) or Meridia (sibutramine)
- Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic agents,
and muscle relaxants) such as Ativan
(lorazepam), Valium (diazepam),
Halcion (triazolam), Restoril (temazepam), Librium(chlordiazepoxide),
Xanax (alprazolam),
Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), ProSom (estazolam),
Klonopin (clonazepam)
should probably not be mixed with Zoloft.
- Beta Blockers - Drugs like Inderal
(propranolol), Lopressor (metoprolol), Tenormin (atenolol),
and others may build up in the body to toxic levels when combined
with SSRIs.
- BuSpar (buspirone)
- Cough medicine (dextromethorphan) or any over the counter cold
medication.
- Coumadin (warfarin) - may cause bleeding problems when used
with Zolof. Your doctor may prevent this by adjusting the dosage
of one of these medications.
- Crystodigin (digitoxin)
- Desyrel (trazodone)
- Dilantin (phenytoin)
- Effexor (venlafaxine)
- When used with Zoloft, increases the chance of developing serotonin
syndrome.
- Hismanal (astemizole) - May alter your heartbeat if used with
Zoloft.
- Lithium (Eskalith)
- Manarex (moclobemide) - This medication should not be mixed
with Zoloft, and you should allow a week following the use
of Manarex before starting Zoloft. Allow 2 full weeks after stopping
Zoloft before beginning use of Manarex. Serious side effects,
including serotonin syndrome can develop.
- MAO inhibitors - Zoloft must never be mixed with MAO (monoamine
oxidase) inhibitors, a class of antidepressants and antisenility
drugs, such as Eldepryl (selegiline), Furoxone (furazolidone),
Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), or Parnate (tranylcypromine).
Never use Zoloft within 2 weeks of starting or stopping an
MAO inhibitor. Patients over 65 should allow a longer wait
period between using Zoloft and an MAO, as Zoloft may stay in
their system longer than in other patients.
- Migraine medications of the triptan class such as Amerge
(naratriptan), Imitrex
(sumatriptan), Maxalt (rizatriptan), or Zomig (zolmitriptan)
can cause coordination difficulties when mixed with SSRIs.
- Narcotic/opioid analgesics like Codeine, Demerol
(meperidine), Buprenex (buprenorphine), Darvon (propoxyphene),
Dilaudid (hydromorphone), MS Contin or Kadian (morphine), nalbuphine,
OxyContin (oxycodone),
Percocet (oxycodone and
acetaminophen), Stadol (butorphanol), Talwin compound (pentazocine),
or Vicodin (hydrocodone and
acetaminophen), Vicoprofen
(hydrocodone and ibuprofen).
- Parlodel (bromocriptine) should be mixed cautiously with Zoloft.
- Rhythmol (propafenone)
- Sedatives like Fioricet
(butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal,
Phenobarbitol, Seconal, or other barbiturates.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) of any other
type, like Celexa (citalopram),
Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), or Paxil (paroxetine).
- Serzone (nefazodone)
- Sinemet (carbidopa, levodopa)
- Sleep medication like Ambien
(zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon),
or over the counter sleeping pills should be used with zoloft
only as, and if, advised by your doctor.
- Street drugs such as LSD, Ecstasy (MDMA), or marijuana. These
drugs also affect serotonin levels in the brain and may react
strongly with an SSRI like Zoloft.
- Tagamet (cimetidine)
- Thioridazine (Mellaril) - Severe Zoloft interactions can occur
with this medication. Zoloft should not be taken within two
weeks of thioridazine. Patients over 65 should allow a longer
wait period between using Zoloft and thioridazine, as Zolof may
stay in their system longer than in other patients.
- Tranquilizers such as Haldol (haloperidol) or Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
may cause oversedation.
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may increase
the risk of side effects from Zoloft. The use of Zoloft with Elavil,
Anafranil, or Tofranil can increase the chance of developing serotonin
syndrome.
- Tryptophan or 5-HTP (Contained in certain amino acid supplements
or by itself) - This supplement may increase the risk of serotonin
syndrome when mixed with Zoloft.
- Ultram (tramadol)
- Viagra (sildenafil) - Increased
risk of side effects.
- Wellbutrin/Zyban (bupropion)
- May increase risk of serious side effects from bupropion.
Talk with your doctor if you are considering mixing an antidepressant
like Zoloft with any other antidepressant, or any medication that
may cause drowsiness. Antidepressant medication can have increased,
unexpected, or severe side effects when mixed with other medications
that affect the central nervous system.
Zoloft Dosages
Zoloft comes in scored, capsule shaped tablets, in doses of 25
mg (light green), 50 mg (light blue), and 100 mg (light yellow).
Store Zoloft away from heat and light.
Zoloft oral concentrate is clear and colorless, with a menthol
scent, at a dosage of 20 mg of Zoloft per mL, in a 60 mL bottle.
Alcohol content is 12%. Zoloft oral concentrate must diluted with
1/2 cup (4 oz.) of water, ginger ale, lemon lime soda, lemonade,
or orange juice just before taking. It should not be mixed with
any other liquids, or mixed in advance. Taking Zoloft oral concentrate
together with Antabuse is not recommended because of the alcohol
content.
The usual starting dose of Zoloft is 25-50 mg per day, up to a
maximum of 200 mg per day. Since Zoloft stays in your body for 24
hours, doses should be taken at the same time every day. Do not
take double doses of Zoloft, and ask your doctor what to do about
missed doses. Dosage should be increased at minimum intervals of
a week, and stopped slowly according to your doctor's advice. Zoloft
should not be abruptly started or stopped.
Zoloft and Pregnancy
Zoloft has not been shown to cause damage to the fetus during pregnancy,
but it has not been fully studied in humans and proven safe. Animal
studies did not indicate an increase of defects in offspring, but
did show a slight increase in the death rate of newborn animals
when Zoloft was taken in the last trimester of pregnancy, and a
lower birth weight. Animal studies are not always predictive of
results in humans.
Advise your doctor if you are pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy
if you are considering taking Zoloft. The manufacturer recommends
that Zoloft be taken during pregnancy only if the benefit justifies
the possible risk to the fetus.
Trace amounts of Zoloft pass through breast milk, but have not
been demonstrated to be harmful to nursing babies. The long term
effects are unknown and caution is advised.
Zoloft and Children
Zoloft has not been studied for use in children under 6.
Zoloft has been prescribed as a treatment for obsessive compulsive
disorders in children from 6-17 years of age. The starting dose
of Zoloft for children 6-12 is usually 25 mg, up to 200 mg per day.
The starting dose of Zoloft for children 13-17 is usually 50 mg,
up to 200 mg per day.
Zoloft and Seniors
Zoloft has not been observed to have different effects in the elderly
than in the general population, but it appears to stay in the system
longer. Patients 65 years or older should try a lower starting dose
of Zoloft, 12.5 mg per day is common.
What Zoloft Treats
Zoloft has been prescribed as a treatment for the following conditions:
- Major Depressive Disorder: Usual dosage 50 mg per day
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Usual dosage 50 mg per day
- Panic Disorder: Usual dosage 50-200 mg per day, with a starting
dose of 25 mg per day
- Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome: Usual dosage 50-200 mg per day,
with a starting dose of 25 mg per day
Zoloft is a trademark of Pfizer
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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