In addition to the common side effects mentioned above, there are some serious effects to be aware of if you are taking Zoloft. If you experience any of these, contact your doctor right away. A "black-box warning" refers to a serious notice made by the FDA about a medication.
The black-box warning for Zoloft indicates it may cause or increase thoughts of suicide in children and young adults. Monitor your loved one, or yourself if you're in this age group, for any signs of such thoughts, and seek help immediately if they occur. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Taking Zoloft may put you at risk for a rare, possibly life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This risk is higher if you are also taking other serotonin-related medications like triptans a common migraine medication , tricyclic antidepressants, or the pain medication Ultram tramadol.
But the syndrome can occur when taking Zoloft alone, as well. Signs and symptoms of this condition include:. To be proactive in avoiding this rare syndrome, be sure to tell your doctor all the medications you are taking, including any over-the-counter drugs or supplements.
There is an increased chance of bleeding when taking Zoloft along with medications that block platelets or medications that thin your blood. Notify your doctor right away of any bleeding events, like nosebleeds or increased bruising. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice more serious bleeding events, such as blood in your stool.
Zoloft can trigger a hypomanic or manic episode in a person with bipolar disorder. Before taking Zoloft, tell your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed or suspected of having bipolar disorder, or have a family history of it. In severe cases, hyponatremia can lead to seizures and other serious neurologic and medical issues.
Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia include:. While not common, if you take Zoloft and develop signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction like rash, hives, swelling, or problems breathing, contact your doctor right away. You should inform your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Zoloft or are planning a pregnancy. Zoloft use in the third trimester may increase a baby's chance of developing complications like a rare condition known as persistent pulmonary hypertension, which can cause breathing problems.
In addition, third-trimester use of Zoloft may cause neonatal withdrawal symptoms. However, some women may need to continue taking Zoloft during pregnancy because the benefit of treating their illness outweighs the potential risks.
Overall, this decision requires a careful and thoughtful discussion with both an obstetrician and mental health professional. Low levels of Zoloft may be present in breast milk, so lactating parents should consult with their doctors before nursing while taking this medication. Breastfeeding is typically encouraged unless there is a medical reason for the parent to avoid breastfeeding. Try to take your Zoloft at the same time every day.
Setting a timer on your phone may be helpful so you don't forget. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is too close to your next dose.
In other words, never take two doses of Zoloft at the same time. Simply take your next scheduled dose and then return to your usual schedule. Contact a poison control center and your doctor for guidance if you or a loved one overdoses on Zoloft. The most common signs and symptoms associated with Zoloft overdose include:. This is one reason why it's important to consult with your doctor before stopping this medication.
If you and your doctor decide it's best for you to stop Zoloft, they can provide you with a tapering strategy to minimize any withdrawal symptoms like irritability, increased anxiety, or flu-like symptoms.
Before prescribing Zoloft, your doctor will take a thorough medical history. Even so, it's important for you to play an active role in your care. I hope you can find something that helps. Psychotropic medications can be very safe as long as you are being closely monitored by a mental health professional, monitoring by a PCP is common, but it is less effective usually.
It sounds as if you are tentative to take medication, which is completely understandable. You can consider seeing a different provider apart from the social worker you mentioned in your request. A relationship with a mental health provider is based not only on the clinician's skill, experience, and the patient's willingness to change, but also on the connection between the patient and the provider.
If you did not feel comfortable with this person you might want to seek a different mental health provider with whom you might be able to make progress. Keep in mind that even on medication the skills you could learn in therapy could assist you down the line and also that medication takes a while to work so both medication and therapy tends to be the most effective. I wish you the best of luck. Suffered with it beginning after my first son's birth, but didn't do anything about it until then.
My first medication was Zoloft. Within 2 weeks, I felt like million bucks. Don't be afraid of it. If you are nursing the 22 month old, just check to see if it is an okay antidepressant to take while nursing. Most of them are, but always good to check. Otherwise, good luck! I think you should definitely give it a try. If it doesn't suit you, there are alternative medications to try. Zoloft did not work for me, but Lexapro did. Every one's body is different.
Your doctor will help you find the right med and dose. Also, a word about "natural" supplements and the sort. I saw a post recommending these types of things. Just because something is natural, doesn't mean it is safer than a prescription drug. It doesn't mean it is safe at all take tobacco for instance. So while I'm sure there are some very good natural remedies, I just wanted to caution you to check with your doctor, or at least do some research, before you try something like that.
I've been taking Zoloft for about 8 months now. It's a total lifesaver! Now my mood is much more stable and I'm able to deal with all the stuff life throws at me easier. As far as side effects go, I don't really experience any! The first three days on Zoloft, I felt sick to my stomach and I threw up in the morning. After those first three days were over, I felt fine and had no more nausea. My advice is to give it a try for a few weeks. It'll take at least two weeks before you start feeling any different and your loved ones will notice a change before you "feel" a change.
Good Luck! I honestly don't know anything about Zoloft As per her suggestion I have started taking it, too. Now by the end of the day; our 3 yr old son- does have a tendency to "wear me thin" BUT other than a 24 hour IV drip of this I think it makes a difference. This is why we only have 1 child! Have a Great Day!!! Have you been diagnosed anything? It sounds like your dealing with a little more than depression.
Quite honestly you seem be experiencing more bi-polar symptoms than depression symptoms. During the time of the month, everything does go double fold, for people with depression and people with bi-polar disorder. If you are truely bi-polar and just take an anti-depresent such as Zoloft, the only thing you will accomplish is a condidtion called " rapid cycling ".
I honestly think you should be evaluated by a psychiatrist, rather than a counselor or family doctor. They specialize in this area and will be able to help you better than your family doctor is this area. I wish you luck and please don't get upset with me saying that you sound bi-polar, but a lot of people don't realize that the violent tendencies are a symptom of mania.
Mania can be nasty and violent. Zoloft's side effects seem to be minimal. I am bi-polar, and your symptoms just remind me of myself a little. Also, you might find it helpfull, if you start journaliing. Keep a mood chart on yourself, with the times of the day and how you feel, also, note if there is a reaction to any action going on in the house.
It might help you out, or give you a way to express your feelings, and re-group your thoughts. And not every med works for every person. Each person's experience is different. I was on zoloft for 4 months back in after having a number of catastrophic events happen over a 6-month period. I was severly depressed and lethargic and just couldn't cope anymore.
I went to a Christian counseling center with licensed therapists, and a psychiatrist prescribed zoloft. It was a real lifesaver for me! It takes weeks for the meds to completely take effect. Zoloft helps build up the seratonin levels in your brain, which helps you cope with life. Back then it was standard practice to start out with a low dose and build up the amount of meds if lower dosing didn't help.
In my case, I came off the meds easily and without side effects. Please be sure to get a second opinion from a mental health professional to help reassure you about taking any meds for this condition. Yes, it is good to seek out counseling or spiritual support, and I recommend that, but if this is a biochemical issue in your body, talking to a therapist or a spiritual advisor isn't going to solve the problem.
I tried to "talk out" my problems for a few months, but I didn't feel better, and then I felt like a failure for not being able to fix my problems. Don't go down that path if you don't have to If they don't work for you, you have the option to switch meds or get off them completely. Best wishes to you and your family and kudos to you for seeking help. You and your family don't deserve to have you suffer unnecessarily. Talk to your doctor is best an also based on other medical conditions.
All meds have side effects as well as not taking the meds. Zoloft is a good medication, and can work very well for some people. My personal preference and what seemed to work best for my patients is Lexapro or Celexa. They are in the same class as Zoloft, but tend to have less side effects including weight gain and decreased libido. Medication is meant to help bring the neurotransmitters in your brain back into balance to help you feel on a more even keel and feel like your life is less of a roller coaster.
It is not meant to make you numb or not feeling. Good Luck and give which ever medication you decide to try at least 4 to 6 weeks to fully work. What side effects could be worse than the feelings you're already having? Also, do you think you could give a psychiatrist another try? Maybe someone different would be more helpful. Ask your doctor for another recommendation.
I am on Zoloft for ppd. After I had my 2nd son who is now 2 I was crying for no reason, having terrible thoughts, NO self esteem. I kept trying to keep it to my self and deal with it, which is the wrong thing to do!
Usually, it takes the meds. Which is what happened to me. I ended up in th ER having a panic attack and crying uncontrollably!! It was the most embarrassing and horrifying thing to be that out of control with two little kids.
Take my advice. Try the meds. I am on a higher dose mg and I have no side effects. At first I had nausea and sweating, but that went away after a few weeks. Anything was better then being that way. I am still on the meds. But my dr. I guess I'm a little nervous those symptoms will come back, which she said is rare. Usually you can be weaned off after a year. Good Luck and please consider my advice.
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So What Happened? Report This Comments optional Report. If all else fails, maybe Zoloft will help you get back on track Best wishes, meg.
Good luck and God bless. Kudos for recognizing your stress and trying to keep it under control! Good luck, sister! Mar 19, Was this article helpful? We'll never share your email with anyone else. Submit Close. Staiger walrus. Related Questions. Does Celexa citalopram cause tinnitus? Will stopping Celexa stop the tinnitus?
What is the safest way to taper off of 2mg Aripiprazole? Both my primary care and psychiatrist are now out of network, and I am experiencing negative side effects and can also no longer afford it due I am currently on the generic medication for lexapro, esciltopram.
I have been on 5mg once a day for about 6 months.
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