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Sertraline HCL (Zoloft)

 

Sertraline HCL (generic Zoloft) Review

brand name: Zoloft
generic names: Sertraline, Sertraline hydrochloride

Why is Zoloft prescribed?

Zoloft is prescribed for major depression--a persistently low mood that interferes with everyday living. Symptoms may include loss of interest in your usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, constant fidgeting or lethargic movement, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.

Zoloft is also used to treat the following:

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition marked by a depressed mood, anxiety or tension, emotional instability, and anger or irritability in the two weeks preceding menstruation.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (unwanted thoughts that won't go away and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions, such as hand-washing or counting).
• Panic disorder (unexpected attacks of overwhelming anxiety, accompanied by fear of their return).
• Social anxiety disorder (extreme shyness in social situations that interferes with an individual's work and social life).
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (re-experiencing a dangerous or life-threatening event through intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and intense psychological distress).

Zoloft belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers believed to govern moods. Ordinarily, it is quickly reabsorbed after its release at the junctures between nerves. Re-uptake inhibitors such as Zoloft slow this process, thereby boosting the levels of serotonin available in the brain.

How does it work?

Lustral tablets contain the active ingredient Sertraline hydrochloride, which is a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) . (NB. Sertraline (Zoloft) tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine .)

Antidepressant medicines act on nerve cells in the brain. In the brain there are numerous different chemical compounds called neurotransmitters. These act as chemical messengers between the nerve cells. Serotonin is one such neurotransmitter and has various functions that we know of.

When serotonin is released from nerve cells in the brain it acts to lighten mood. When it is reabsorbed into the nerve cells, it no longer has an effect on mood. It is thought that when depression occurs, there may be a decreased amount of serotonin released from nerve cells in the brain.

SSRIs work by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells in the brain. This helps prolong the mood lightening effect of any released serotonin. In this way, Sertraline helps relieve depression.

Sertraline (Zoloft) may also be used in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is not fully understood how it works in these conditions.

It may take between two to four weeks for the benefits of this medicine to appear, so it is very important that you keep taking it, even if it doesn't seem to make much difference at first. If you feel your depression has got worse, or if you have any distressing thoughts or feelings in these first few weeks, then you should talk to your doctor.

What should I watch for while taking Sertraline (Zoloft)?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Continue to take your medicine even if you do not immediately feel better. It can take several weeks before you feel the full effect of Sertraline. If you notice any unusual effects, such as or thoughts of suicide or suicidal attempts, acting on dangerous impulses, anger, irritability, difficulty sleeping, agitation, worsening of depression, restlessness, you should call your health care provider immediately.

If you have been taking Sertraline (Zoloft) regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce the dose or your symptoms may get worse. Ask your prescriber for advice on slowly stopping Sertraline.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how Sertraline (Zoloft) affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of Sertraline. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking Sertraline (Zoloft).

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Most important fact about Zoloft

Do not take Zoloft within 2 weeks of taking any drug classified as an MAO inhibitor. Drugs in this category include the antidepressants Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate. When serotonin boosters such as Zoloft are combined with MAO inhibitors, serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur. In addition, you should not combine Zoloft with the drug pimozide (Orap).

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The starting dose for children aged 6 to 12 is 25 milligrams and for adolescents aged 13 to 17, 50 milligrams. The doctor will adjust the dose as necessary.

DOSAGE ADJUSTMENT

The doctor will need to reduce the dosage if you have liver disease.

Safety and effectiveness have not been established for children under 6.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Liver disorders
  
  
• Loss of memory (amnesia)
  
  
• Seizures
  
  
• Changes in blood pressure
  
  
• Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
  
  
• Anxiety and agitation
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Sexual problems
  
  
• Dry mouth
  
  
• Increased sweating
  
  
• Sleepiness (somnolence)
  
  
• Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
  
  
• Dizziness
  
  
• Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor)
  
  
• Loss of appetite
  
  
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
  
  
• Disturbances of the gut such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea or abdominal pain
  
  

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.