Zoloft

Zoloft (sertraline) is a medicine that belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and works by correcting the imbalance of chemicals in your brain. This imbalance can lead to such conditions as depression, panic disorder, anxiety disorders and a number of other ones that can affect the quality of your life. Before you start the treatment – make sure you let your health care provider know if you have a history of drug abuse, a history of suicidal thoughts, liver or kidney disease, bipolar disorder, as well as seizures or epilepsy, as these factor may influence the dose you are prescribed. This medicine is FDA pregnancy category C. Medicines of this class – and of course Zoloft– can cause serious lung problems in newborn babies. These side effects can sometimes be life-threatening. However, stopping the treatment may lead to a relapse of depression, and this can be also dangerous. It is unknown whether this drug can pass into breast milk. This drug is not intended for patients younger than 18 unless otherwise recommended by your doctor. Zoloft must be taken at the same time every day with some food or without, just make sure you take it the same way every time. The liquid form of the medicine should be measured with the help of a special measuring device that you can get from your pharmacist. It may take you some time to feel the first benefits of taking this medicine – sometimes up to 4 weeks. You need to make sure you are taking this medicine regularly and as prescribed throughout this period to make sure it’s efficient for you. Avoid using more of Zoloft than prescribed, as an overdose is possible. The following symptoms may indicate an overdose: agitation, vomiting, nausea, tremor, coma, seizures, dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness. Make sure you report those directly to your local emergency center to make sure there is no danger to your health. Mild side effects are possible and they can include: changes in appetite, dizziness, impotence, constipation, mild nausea, dry mouth, upset stomach, drowsiness, and sleep problems. More serious side effects need to be reported immediately. Contact your health care provider if you have any of the following serious side effects of Zoloft: loss of appetite, seizure, vomiting, headache, trouble concentrating, confusion, stiff muscles, memory problems, shallow breathing, high fever, diarrhea, and nausea.