Zoloft
Zoloft questions and answers
Learn more about Allergic To Zoloft @ SaysUncle Learning.
Q: What was your experience going off Welbutrin and Zoloft?
I want to know specifically about your experience going of only Zoloft or Welbutrin or both. I'm more interested in the tapering down experience, versus the "cold turkey" because I know that that can be awful and dangerous and I am not planning on just stopping my meds. I am going to begin tapering down on my anti-depressants and I want to know what to expect. Also, how long did you take to taper down and how did you do it? Thank you for sharing your experiences with me!
A: I was only on one pill a day so I just stopped taking it. Wellbutrin was making me really angry so I had to stop taking it
Q: How long for Zoloft generic to start working?
Anyone currently taking Zoloft. How long did the medicine take to work?
A: I started taking zoloft about 3 months ago. it will take 4-6 weeks to take affect.
You will start to feel better in about 3 weeks or so but it is a medicine that has to build up in your system.
Once it takes full effect it is well worth it tho.
Q: How long does Zoloft stay in your system?
I took 25mg a day for the past 3 days and I feel absolutely miserable, worse than I did before I took the medicine. How long do the effects of Zoloft stay in your system and how long until it's completely gone and ineffective in your body? Also, how long do the side effects last after you stop taking it after only 3 days?
A: half life of this drug is 26 hours. Side effects stay on until all the drug effects are gone.
It is quite long.... For a 25 mg tab, it will take 26 hours to reduce 12.5 mg in your body, then another 26 hours to reduce 6.25 mg of the 12.5 mg to go away...Then another 26 hours for a 3.125 mg of 6.25 mg to go away. But you were taking 25 mg everyday for 3 days. The calculation is complicated. My calculation is only for 1 pill only.
Do not take this medication with MAO inhibitor therapy such as Nardil and Parnate--Antidepressants!
Good luck!
Q: How soon does Zoloft cause sexual side effects?
I just started taking Zoloft 50MG today... I was just wondering, when does it start to cause sexual side effects? First day of taking it? In a few days, few weeks, few months?
A: In a couple months. It doesn't happen to everyone.
Q: What type of pain reliever can you take with zoloft?
I have a headache and need to get some type of pain reliever. What's the safest thing I can take while taking a daily dose of 100mg of Zoloft?
A: I take Tylenol and it works for me. If you want a really reliable opinion - your best bet is to just call the pharmacy that filled your Zoloft prescription. They know drug interactions better than most.
Q: How do I deal with my sister that takes Zoloft for her depression?
She lives in another state and we chat on the phone a few times every two weeks. She can be very rude and quick to get upset and hang up on me. She makes me cry when she voices her opinion about my life. I love my sister and I wonder since she's been on Zoloft for sometime now, if she is aware how much she hurts me!? Any advice?
A: It sounds as if you think the Zoloft is responsible for her remarks - did I understand you right? But I think the depression is the real cause. Many people with depression find it difficult to imagine how other people feel. It's a symptom of the illness. If she's quick to get upset, that might also be a symptom. In any case, it sounds as though the hurt is happening both ways: she gets hurt and hangs up on you; you're hurt by her rudeness.
It's very hard to live with someone who has depression, or to deal with depression in the family. But it sounds as if you're keeping in contact and being a good sister to her, and that's just the sort of thing she needs to help her get better.
I'm not sure whether confronting your sister about it will be helpful either to her or to you. You might find you need to just in order to set your own boundaries. But what you would probably find most helpful is to talk to other people who have depression in the family and have to cope with the same kind of thing.
There might be a support group for families of mentally ill people in your area. Your GP should be able to tell you if there's anything, or maybe an internet search.
Hang in there!
Q: Can zoloft show up as a benzodiazapine in a drug screen?
I am in a program and I showed positive for benzodiazipines which I did not take any benzos at all. I am on zoloft though, can zoloft give me a false positive?
A: Yes
Q: Why are you not supposed to drink alcohol when taking Zoloft?
Is it just for drowsiness reasons, or are there other problems with it? If you take Zoloft in the morning, is it alright to drink at night?
A: taking zoloft and alcohol together may enhance the effects of the alcohol. One drink could have the effect of two drinks, for example. The chance or severity of side effects such as drowsiness, slow reflexes, or clouded judgment may be increased, perhaps suddenly and without warning. If you usually feel tired, or even a bit depressed after drinking, then you might feel even more so if you're on zoloft. Zoloft can also produce sedative effects; and since alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, lowered heart rate and blood pressure changes are possible. This becomes even more likely as the quantity of alcohol consumed increases. Other symptoms, including headaches and sexual dysfunction, are also sometimes associated both with medications used to treat depression (such as zoloft) and drinking alcohol. Another theory states that because these drugs have such a strong adverse effect upon the pancreas, a disruption in the body's blood sugar balance produces a "craving" for alcohol as the body reaches out for a "quick fix" to raise the blood sugar level. This triggers a vicious self-perpetuating cycle as the alcohol pushes the blood sugar level even lower after the brief high it produces.
Q: How much weight did you gain taking Zoloft?
I have gained about 40 pounds since I started taking Zoloft and I can't get rid of it. I have always been very active! I just want to compare and see how much weight other people have gained when taking zoloft/sertraline.
A: i never gained any weight on zoloft. maybe hunger is a side effect of the medicine that i didnt experience. is it possible that food is a way you cope with your anxiety or epression?
Q: Has anyone stopped taking Zoloft and lost the weight they gained?
I gained about twenty pounds while on Zoloft and am weaning myself off at present. I am hoping to start losing the weight I put on, since my metabolism should eventually go back to normal. Any personal experiences?
A: "Zoloft weight gain is more common then you might think. Not every person taking Zoloft will gain weight but it happens enough for Zoloft to hold a solid reputation as a weight gain drug.
Weight gain caused by Zoloft and other antidepressants is a major reason for people stopping drug treatment.
All antidepressants slow the metabolism and inhibit specific enzymes in the liver that allow the metabolism to function correctly. Many antidepressants also also increase appetite and carbohydrate cravings. Antidepressants like Zoloft are also shown to cause hormonal changes, which can further add to weight gain."
It would only make sense that if you gained the weight whilst on the drug, that you will lose once off of it.
Q: I gained weight on Zoloft. If I switch to another antidepressant will the weight gain likely go away?
I've gained 30 lbs since starting Zoloft. It works really well for me, but the weight gain is upsetting. Has anyone who gained weight from an antidepressant lost weight after switching?
As a side note, I do not want to try Wellbutrin because it isn't supposed to be good for anxiety.
A: why dont you workout and exercise.I have anxiety and it really works for you you know.Exercising is fun :) you should try it.Even walking around the block is like an exercise.Good Luck
Q: Zoloft does not seem to be taking away my symptoms of depression, should I seek to take another med?
I have been taking zoloft 100 mg for about 8 weeks now. It has helped with depression and anxiety, but it has not made me feel normal again. I am asking if anyone has had any experiences to help me decide whether to take another med; or if I should expect better results as time goes on?
A: Give it a little more time before you decide to switch. You should start getting better results as time goes on.
Q: How much is a dangerous zoloft overdose?
Im 14 and have a history of attempting suicide. The first time I overdosed on 50mg zoloft, i had 11, nothing happened, second time i took 9, i felt sick for 2 hours then it past and last week i took 6 and im still sick; 5 days later. i keep throwing up and im very dizzy and tired all the time. i don't wish to tell anyone as i will get in trouble. what do i do?
A: You need to call someone as soon as possible, tell them everything. Call 1-800-SUICIDE or look up another suicide hot line, even 911 they will help you calm down and give you the assistance you need. You can make that one call, it could be the most important call of your life.
Good luck.
Q: What's the difference between Zoloft and Effexor?
i was on zoloft a few years ago and didnt like it. now my dr has me on effexor. i looked thru the literature and online, and chemically, im not really sure what the diffrence is.
A: Zoloft and Effexor are NOT the same. Here is the scoop:
Effexor is an SNRI (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor). It works on TWO brain neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine). At lower doses (37.5mg-75mg) it works ONLY on serotonin. Only at higher doses (150mg-300mg) does its "dual mechanism" effect occur. Effexor has a relatively short half-life, meaning that it needs to be taken with greater frequency to keep a plateau amount of medication in one's body. That is why the drug company created Effexor XR (extended-release formula). Effexor can lower the seizure threshold in people who have a history of seizures, but more frequently can cause complications in people who have hypertension (high blood pressure). Effexor is one NASTY medication to quit cold turkey - although it is not dangerous, it is highly uncomfortable. It's one of the worst for abrupt discontinuation, Paxil being notoriously the worst.
Zoloft is an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor). It works on ONE brain neurotransmitter (serotonin) at all dosage forms (25mg-200mg). It is taken only once a day (normally in the morning) and does not have an extended release formula. The generic is cheap. It has few side effects and people with multiple medical problems can take it. It should not be stopped abruptly; although stopping it abruptly is not dangerous, it is fairly uncomfortable - resulting in numerous physiological and psychological symptoms. For people with high levels of anxiety, the higher doses of Effexor can do more harm than good, as the inhibition of norepinephrine reuptake is thought to play a role in anxiety.
Hope that helps.
Q: How long does it take for Zoloft to work?
Also I have anxiety and I am going on a trip to Florida in two weeks, by that point I would be on the medication for about 3 weeks, what can i take before I get on the plane that 1 wont interfere with the Zoloft and 2 keep me calm during the flight.
A: Your Zoloft should help some by then with anxiety but you could take antihistamine to make you too drowsy to care. If you can drink some Chamomile tea right before hand that sometimes held calm your nerves too.