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Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Prozac (fluoxetine) is a type of medication used to treat depression and depressive symptoms. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). SSRIs are also used to treat anxiety disorders including panic disorder, bulimia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, among other conditions.

Prozac is also available in a generic formulation called fluoxetine HCL. It is available as a capsule, delayed-release capsule, tablet, and a solution. 

Uses 

The FDA approves Prozac for several mental illnesses and it is use off-label for several conditions.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder characterized by persistent and severe feelings of sadness and despair accompanied by a variety of other emotional, physical, and behavioral changes.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition, that occurs when a person experiences unwanted and recurrent thoughts. They typically also experience compulsions which are repetitive behaviors intended to help them deal with their obsessive thoughts.

Bulimia

Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by excessive eating (binge) usually followed by extreme measures such as fasting or inducing vomit to prevent weight gain (purge). 

Panic Disorder

A person living with panic disorder will often experience sudden episodes of intense fear which they have no control over accompanied by a variety of physical and emotional symptoms. 

Treatment-Resistant Depression

Prozac in combination with Zyprexa (olanzapine) has an indication for treating treatment-resistant depression.

Acute Depressive Episodes Associated With Bipolar 1 Disorder

The same Prozac/Zyprexa combination also has an indication for people who have depressive episodes as a result of bipolar 1 disorder.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Prozac is sometimes used to treat women who experience severe depressive symptoms just before their menstrual period begins. 

Off-Label Uses

Even though they aren’t approved by the FDA , Prozac is sometimes used off-label to alleviate symptoms of the following conditions:

  • Borderline personality disorder 
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • Migraines
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder 

Before Taking 

Before taking Prozac talk through the list of active and inactive ingredients with your doctor to ensure that you aren’t allergic to any ingredients in the medication.

Signs of an allergic reaction include rash, difficulty breathing and swelling of the face, tongue, or throat. If you suspect that you’re having an allergic reaction, get medical help immediately. 

It’s a good rule of thumb to disclose to your doctor any other medication, vitamins, and supplements you might be taking to make sure that they don’t interact with the medication being prescribed to you.

If you have a history of any other medical conditions, especially liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and other mental health conditions you should also discuss this with your doctor.

Precautions and Contraindications 

Prozac is prescribed with caution to pregnant women. Women in their third trimester of pregnancy who are using Prozac may experience adverse effects in their babies when the baby is born.

If you become pregnant while already on Prozac disclose this to your doctor to figure out the next steps. If you are breastfeeding, discuss the risks and benefits of Prozac use with your doctor. 

You shouldn’t discontinue Prozac without consulting your doctor as this might worsen your symptoms or cause a relapse. If your doctor asks you to discontinue Prozac suddenly, you might experience withdrawal symptoms like nausea and insomnia, although given Prozac’s long half-life, this is less common than with other antidepressants.

Dosage

Prozac is prescribed by a doctor who will recommend a dosage for your particular condition based on your medical history, tolerance to the drug, severity of your symptoms, and any other factors they might consider relevant.

However, the manufacturer of this medication typically recommends the following doses for these conditions. 

  • Major Depressive Disorder: The starting dose is usually 20 milligrams (mg) a day, typically taking in the morning. Your doctor might increase your doses if there are no significant improvements in your symptoms weeks after you start. 
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Adults are typically advised to take 20 mg a day, taken in the morning to start, but it is often raised to 60 mg to 80 mg a day. 
  • Bulimia: 60 mg a day taken in the morning is the typical recommended dosage in the treatment of bulimia, although this will be started much lower and potentially titrated to this target dose.
  • Depressive Episodes Associated With Bipolar 1 Disorder: 20 mg of Prozac a day is recommended as an initial dose in combination with 5 mg of Zyprexa, although a combination pill of 25 mg of Prozac and 6 mg of Zyprexa may be used.  
  • Treatment-Resistant Depression: Similar dosing of Prozac and Zyprexa to the recommendations for depressive episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder are often used.

Modifications

Children with major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder are typically given an initial dose of 10 mg. Elderly people and people who have a hepatic impairment are also prescribed lower dosages.

While administering Prozac to pregnant women is avoided if possible, especially in their last trimester, your doctor might carefully weigh the pros and cons and decide to prescribe Prozac.

How to Take and Store 

Prozac can be taken with or without food. It should be stored at room temperature and kept away from direct sunlight. Don’t store this medication in your bathroom because bathrooms tend to be moist which is not an ideal environment for storage.

Take Prozac at the time recommended by your doctor, which in most cases is in the morning. If you are taking a delayed-release capsule, swallow it whole, don’t crush, chew or cut it before taking. 

Like with most SSRIs, it might take several weeks before you start seeing positive effects from Prozac. Don’t discontinue it even if you feel you aren’t getting better yet or if you feel you don’t need it anymore.

Side Effects

Prozamight cause some side effects, these effects typically go away with time. However, if you experience persistent, bothersome, or worsening side effects, you should tell your doctor about it. 

Common

Some common but mild side effects of using Prozac include: 

  • Anxiety 
  • Headaches 
  • Low libido 
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Dizziness 
  • Drowsiness 
  • Insomnia 
  • Weight changes 
  • Stuffy nose 
  • Dry mouth 

Some of these symptoms will pass shortly after you start using the medication. However, if you experience any new side effects or if any old side effects start to worsen, then you should report it to your medical doctor.  

Severe 

Some people might experience more severe side effects while using Prozac. In rare cases, Prozac could also cause a rare condition known as Serotonin syndrome, particularly if used in combination with other medications that impact serotonin.

This condition occurs when there’s excessive serotonin in your body, and can cause symptoms of fever, nausea, hallucinations, agitation, and coordination problems. If you suspect you are someone you know is showing signs of serotonin syndrome, contact your doctor immediately.

Less than 1 in 100 people experience severe side effects when using this medication.

Warnings and Interactions

If you are on any monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) like Marplan, you shouldn’t be taking Prozac. Prozac is typically not prescribed to people who have been taking am MAOI for at least 14 days. MAOIs are also typically not prescribed to people who have been on Prozac or who have stopped taking Prozac less than five weeks before their consultation. 

People with major depressive disorder who are already prone to experiencing suicidal thoughts might sometimes experience the development of suicidal thoughts or a worsening of suicidal thoughts while taking Prozac.

It’s important to watch out for any sudden or unusual changes in their behavior, especially during the first couple of months of use. Teenagers and young adults who are aged between 18 and 24 are particularly at risk. 

Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Neurontin is a type of medication used to treat seizures in adults and children who are living with certain types of seizure disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs known as anticonvulsants.

It works by decreasing the brain’s vulnerability to having seizures and can also help to reduce pain. Neurontin is also available as a generic medication sold under the name gabapentin. It comes as a tablet or an oral solution. 

Uses 

Neurontin is approved by the FDA for the treatment of the following conditions:

  • Seizures: This medication is used to reduce the occurrence of seizures in children and adults with epilepsy. It can be taken alongside other seizure medication. However, this medication isn’t a cure for epilepsy and will only help to treat seizures for as long as you take the medication.
  • Postherpetic neuralgia: Postherptic neuralgia is a condition that causes persistent nerve pain in people who have had shingles. It especially affects people who are older. Neurontin is also used to treat this nerve pain.

Off-Label Uses

Neurontin is sometimes prescribed off-label for the treatment of the following conditions:

  • Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that causes sudden and extreme changes, in mood, energy levels, and daily functioning. These moods can range from irritable and sad to happy and energetic with no warning.
  • Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes you to experience widespread and continuous pain throughout your body. The pain could feel like a burning sensation, a sharp pain, or an ache. 
  • Migraines: A migraine is a type of headache that causes severe pain which is often accompanied by nausea and a sensitivity to light, loud sounds, and physical activity. A migraine can last for hours and in severe cases days.
  • Anxiety: Neurotonin is used off-label for certain types of anxiety as it is less abusable than medications like benzodiazepines. There is some potential for abuse with this medication, however.

Before Taking 

Before taking this medicine you should go over the list of active and inactive ingredients with your doctor to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredient in it.

Gabapentin is the active ingredient in Neurontin, signs of an allergic reaction to gabapentin include swelling of the tongue, throat, or face, hives, and difficulty breathing.

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medication, please inform your doctor. There is not a lot of data on the effects of Neurotonin in pregnancy and is generally avoided if possible. It’s a great practice to keep your doctor updated on all medication you might be using when pregnant.

You should also tell your doctor if you have any history of the following conditions: 

  • Liver disease 
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Heart disease
  • Lung disease 
  • Seizures 
  • Drug addiction 

Precautions and Contraindications 

Neurontin has been found to potentially contribute to respiratory suppression in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and elderly people. If you notice you have trouble breathing while using this medication, contact your doctor immediately. 

Some people have reported an increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors when using these types of medications. If you notice a sudden change in your moods and behaviors or begging to experience suicidal thoughts, alert your doctor about this. 

Other Types of Gabapentin

Gralise and Horizant are two other brand-name drugs that contain gabapentin as an active ingredient.  

  • Gralise: Gralise, which is not available in the U.S., is indicated for the treatment of nerve pain after shingles.
  • Horizant: Horizant has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of nerve pain and restless leg syndrome. It’s best for this medication to be taken in the latter part of the day with food, for effective results. 

Dosage

Your doctor is most likely to consider a couple of things when deciding your dosage for Neurontin. They’ll consider the severity of your condition, other medications you might be taking, and your tolerability (the degree in which a patient can handle adverse effects of a particular treatment) of the drug.

However, the manufacturer also recommends the following dosages for these conditions: 

  • Epileptic seizures: An initial dose of 300 milligrams is given on day one, 300 milligrams twice a day on day two, and 300 milligrams three times a day on day three. This is followed up by a maintenance dose of 300 to 600 milligrams given three times daily, depending on a person’s tolerability of the medication. A maximum dose of 3,600 milligrams in one day where this dosage is spread out over the course of the day (i.e., a 1,200 mg dose would be taken at three points during the day).
  • Nerve pain: As with epilepsy, an initial dose of 300 milligrams is given on day one, 300 milligrams twice a day on day two, and 300 milligrams three times a day on day three. However, the maximum dose for this condition is 1,800 milligrams (i.e., the patient might take three 600 milligrams doses during the course of a day).

Modifications 

Neurontin is not indicated for children younger than three years old. For children, the initial dose ranges between 10 to 15 milligrams for each kilogram of their weight. A patient might be directed to take one 10 or 15 mg dose at three separate times of the day (morning, afternoon and night).

How to Take and Store 

You can take Neurontin with or without food. Swallow any pill you take whole, without chewing or crushing it.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it’s time for your next dose, skip the missed dose—don’t double your dose.

In many cases, Neurontin is prescribed to be taken three times a day. You shouldn’t take all three doses at once or close together. Try to take your first dose in the morning, the second in the afternoon, and the last at bedtime.

Side Effects 

Some people might experience adverse effects while using Neurontin, most are mild and will go away with time. In rare cases, these side effects might be more severe or worsen. If you notice any lingering or unbearable side effects while using this medication, you should speak with your doctor.

Common 

Some common but mild side effects you might experience while using this medication include: 

  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety 
  • Mood swings 
  • Headache 
  • Dizziness 
  • Tiredness
  • Nausea and vomiting in children 

Severe 

In rare cases, you might experience more severe side effects such as: 

  • More frequent seizures 
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Extreme fatigue 
  • Confusion
  • Extreme drowsiness

If you experience any of the above side effects contact emergency health services and your doctor immediately.  

Warnings and Interactions 

This medication can cause drowsiness, and taking alcohol alongside this medication can worsen this side effect. If you are about to go in for any kind of surgery including dental surgery, inform your doctor that you are currently taking Neurontin.

This medication might also make you lose coordination and slow down your reflexes. You shouldn’t drive or operate heavy machinery until you’ve monitored how this medication affects you.

Watch out for changes in moods and behaviors if you have a child who’s taking Neurontin. They might experience sudden mood swings, become more hyperactive, or have difficulty paying attention. 

Neurontin could interact adversely with other medications. It’s important to give your doctor a full list of any other medication, vitamins, and supplements you might be taking alongside this medication to prevent adverse effects.

In rare cases, stopping Neurontin abruptly could cause withdrawal symptoms like tremors, high blood pressure, and gastrointestinal problems.  

A Complete Guide to Sertraline Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Mary Lucas, RN Written by Our Editorial Team Last updated 10/04/2020

With tens of millions of prescriptions in the United States alone, sertraline is a widely used SSRI medication on the market. Safe and effective, sertraline has been used since the 1990s by tens of millions of people every year without major side effects. 

However, like all SSRIs, sertraline side effects do exist, and you should be aware of them before you consider treatment.

Like other SSRIs, most sertraline side effects occur in the first few weeks of treatment and tend to disappear over time. However, some can last for several months or occur at any time while using the medication.

Although rare, it’s possible to experience several more serious side effects if you use sertraline to treat depression, anxiety or any other condition.   

Below, we’ve listed the common and uncommon side effects of sertraline. We’ve also linked to relevant studies and other data to provide some more context on how common or uncommon these side effects really are.

Common Sertraline Side Effects

Sertraline belongs to a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Like other SSRIs, it can cause a range of mild side effects that typically occur during the first few weeks of treatment. We’ve listed these common side effects below.

Fatigue and Tiredness

Fatigue and tiredness are two of the most common side effects of sertraline, as well as several other SSRIs.

If you’re using sertraline to treat depression, fatigue and tiredness from the medication can also be compounded by the effects of depression on your mood. It’s very common to feel a little low in energy during the first few weeks of taking sertraline.

Dealing with fatigue and tiredness from sertraline can be a frustrating experience, but it usually passes. As the medication reaches a steady state in your body, you’ll generally start to notice a less pronounced effect on your energy levels before this side effect fades completely.

If you have persistent fatigue or tiredness after starting sertraline that doesn’t disappear within one month, it’s best to contact your healthcare provider.

Sexual Side Effects

Sertraline and other SSRIs can cause a variety of sexual side effects, from difficulty achieving orgrasm, to a decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.

Sexual side effects are some of the most common side effects of sertraline and other commonly used SSRI medications. 

According to a review of certain studies, between 40 percent and 65 percent of people who take SSRIs experience some side effects related to sexual desire and performance.

It’s worth noting the research did find that of the SSRIs, sertraline has one of the lower likelihoods of affecting sexual function.

These side effects can affect both men and women. In men, one of the most common side effects is a higher level of difficulty achieving orgasm and ejaculating. Some men also experience a lower general level of interest in sex after using SSRIs such as sertraline.

In women, the most common sexual side effect of sertraline and other SSRIs is a lower level of interest in sex.

Like many other side effects of sertraline, sexual side effects can often fade over time as your body gets used to the medication. If persistent, sexual side effects can be treated by adjusting your dosage or switching to a different medication.

Sleep Disturbances

Insomnia and a general reduction in sleep quality are both common side effects of SSRIs and other antidepressants. 

People who use sertraline may find it more difficult than normal to fall asleep, or find themselves waking up frequently throughout the night. Sertraline can also cause you to be more sleepy than usual.

While it doesn’t list the effects of sertraline specifically, a 2017 review of research literature notes that it’s common for antidepressants to affect sleep. 

This review found that the prevalence of insomnia attributed to treatment with SSRIs was 17 percent compared to nine percent taking placebo.  

Like many other SSRI side effects, the study states that these effects are most common in the short term.

There are several ways to deal with sleep disturbances  from sertraline. The first is to wait it out, as this side effect tends to fade away as the medication reaches a steady state in your body. It’s also possible to take sertraline in the morning to reduce its concentration by the time you sleep.

Finally, it’s important to avoid caffeine and other stimulants that could prevent you from falling asleep in a normal amount of time. Try to restrict your consumption of coffee, caffeinated soda and energy drinks to before noon to avoid them affecting you when it’s time to fall asleep.

Dizziness

It’s not uncommon to feel dizzy during the first few weeks of using sertraline. Like other common side effects, this is thought to be a result of your body adjusting to the medication. Dizziness is a short-term side effect of sertraline that usually doesn’t persist for longer than two to four weeks.

Interestingly, sertraline is linked to lower levels of dizziness in the long term in studies, indicating that it could help you feel less dizzy once the medication reaches a steady state in your body.

If you notice frequent dizziness or lightheadedness after using sertraline that lasts for more than four weeks, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider. This side effect, like most, may managed by using a lower dose of the medication. However, if this side effect doesn’t get better after a few weeks, speak to your healthcare provider.

Weight Gain or Weight Loss

Sertraline and other SSRIs are associated with weight fluctuation, although not all people who take these medications will gain or lose weight.

Around 25 percent of people who use antidepressants gain weight while on their medication. Most of the weight gain caused by antidepressants is mild, with a 2017 study from Australia finding that, on average, high-dosage antidepressant users gain 0. 28kg (about 0.6lbs) per year.

In a 2018 UK study, researchers concluded that antidepressants may contribute to a long-term increased risk of weight gain. Another study found that antidepressant use is associated with a higher total calorie intake.

However, a known side effect of sertraline (discussed more in-depth below) is, in fact, reduced appetite. There’s also some research out there to suggest that — at least in the short term — sertraline may actually cause you to lose weight. Especially if you’re diabetic. 

In one smaller study involving 33 patients with type 2 diabetes, for instance, researchers found at the end of the 12-week observation period a decrease in overall weight, body mass index and waist circumference, overall. 

If you’re concerned about weight gain or weight loss from sertraline, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider. Most of the time, you can avoid changes in your body mass and composition by monitoring your food intake and maintaining your pre-treatment eating habits while using sertraline.

Reduced Appetite

Sertraline could potentially cause you to have a reduced appetite.

Like other side effects of sertraline, this is usually temporary and should wear off after the first few weeks on the medication. 

The key to avoiding weight loss from sertraline is to talk to your healthcare provider and monitor your food intake. By staying consistent with your eating habits and activity level, it’s easier to maintain your body mass and composition while using sertraline or any other SSRI.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common side effect of sertraline. In comparative studies of sertraline and other SSRIs, about 14 percent  of people who were prescribed sertraline at a typical dose experienced diarrhea compared to those on other SSRIs.

Like many other side effects, diarrhea usually occurs in the first few weeks of treatment. Most of the time, diarrhea becomes less frequent and disappears completely as your body adjusts to the medication and your dosage of sertraline reaches a steady state.

If you have persistent diarrhea from sertraline, the best approach is to contact your healthcare provider. This side effect, like others, may often be managed by reducing your dosage of sertraline or switching to a different antidepressant, such as paroxetine or fluoxetine, which are both less likely to cause diarrhea.

Headaches

It’s possible that you will  experience headaches after you start using sertraline, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment. Like other common side effects, headaches usually disappear after two to four weeks of use as the medication reaches a steady state in your body.  

The link between sertraline and headaches is a complicated one. 

While headaches have been reported to be a side effect of taking sertraline, one study has shown sertraline to be effective in treating chronic tension-type headaches.

While some painkillers can interact with sertraline, it’s safe to take Tylenol® if you experience headaches after starting sertraline.  

You should be aware though that Tylenol may reduce the effectiveness of sertraline in your body.  It is important to discuss what medications you’re taking with your healthcare provider before you start on sertraline

If you have persistent or severe headaches from sertraline that don’t improve over time, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider. Simple changes to your sertraline usage such as taking your medication at a different time of day or reducing your dosage can help to limit or get rid of headaches.

Dry Mouth

Finally, dry mouth is a common side effect of sertraline and other antidepressants. While there’s no clear reason for this, researchers believe that the effects of sertraline and other SSRIs on the brain can also affect your gastrointestinal system.

Studies show that between 35 percent and 46 percent of people prescribed antidepressants experience some level of dry mouth. Although SSRIs like sertraline are less likely to cause dry mouth than other antidepressants  (in studies, it affected about 14 percent of people), it’s still fairly common.

There are several ways to treat dry mouth from sertraline. Like other side effects, dry mouth is often temporary, meaning it should go away on its own over the course of several weeks as the medication reaches a steady state in your body.

It’s also possible to reduce the severity of dry mouth by avoiding caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, any spicy foods and other substances that can cause dehydration. Sugar-free gums can also help to stimulate saliva production and keep your mouth and throat properly hydrated. 

It is also recommended that you avoid using mouthwash products that contain alcohol as they can make the problem worse.

Finally, if you have persistent dry mouth from sertraline, you should talk to your healthcare provider. Just like many other side effects of sertraline, dry mouth can often be avoided by adjusting your dosage or switching to a different SSRI medication.  

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Serious Side Effects of Sertraline

People who use sertraline may not  experience any side effects, or may only experience a few of the mild side effects listed above. However, it’s also possible for sertraline to cause a variety of potentially serious effects in some users.

Below, we’ve listed some of the serious potential side effects of sertraline. If you experience any of these side effects, you should contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible for medical assistance.

Fainting and Extreme Dizziness

Although not frequently reported, fainting is a potential side effect of sertraline. A small percentage of people who use sertraline may also experience severe dizziness and lightheadedness. 

If you feel faint, weak or severely dizzy after taking sertraline, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Chest Pain

A small number of people who use sertraline have reported severe chest pain after taking the medication.

In one study, an elderly woman experienced severe, crushing chest pain after taking a normal dose of sertraline. The woman was hospitalized and received treatment using a range of drugs used to treat heart conditions.

If you experience severe or unusual chest pain after taking sertraline, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

It’s important to point out that this side effect is very rare. Overall, sertraline is a safe and effective drug that’s widely used successfully, including by people with certain heart conditions that make other SSRIs unsuitable.

Persistent Bleeding

Sertraline is one of several SSRIs that can act as a blood thinner, meaning it could affect your body’s ability to form blood clots. This means that if you injure yourself in a way that results in bleeding while using sertraline, your body might have difficulty forming a normal blood clot.

Clotting issues from sertraline use can potentially occur as a result of taking sertraline together  with other medications, such as blood thinners. If you use other medications that could affect your clotting ability, it’s essential that you inform your healthcare provider before considering sertraline.

Priapism

Sertraline and other antidepressants have the potential to cause priapism, a condition that can result in a long-lasting, painful erection that is not associated with sexual stimulation. Priapism can cause the penis to stay erect for hours at a time, resulting in severe discomfort and potentially causing damage to penile tissue.

Priapism is a rare side effect of sertraline and other SSRIs. If you experience a persistent, painful erection after taking sertraline or any other antidepressant, you should seek immediate medical assistance.

Suicidal Thoughts

Sertraline and several other widely used antidepressants can increase your risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts. The risk of suicidal thoughts appears to be the highest in people under the age of 25 who take antidepressants. .

If you experience suicidal thoughts after you start using sertraline, it’s important to seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

Learn More About Sertraline

While many of the side effects listed above can look alarming, it’s worth remembering that most people who use sertraline either experience no side effects at all, or light, transient side effects that disappear as they become accustomed to the medication.

Sertraline is one of the most common, widely used antidepressants in the world, with more than 37 million prescriptions in the US alone. For the vast majority of users, it’s a safe, effective and important medication that provides real benefits.

In addition to the side effects listed above, sertraline can potentially interact with a wide range of other medications and substances, including alcohol. Our Sertraline 101 Guide goes into more detail on these interactions, as well as the essentials of how sertraline works as a medication.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

12 Zoloft Side Effects – SSRI Uses & Common Interactions To Know

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Remember the original Zoloft commercial? The one where a sad little blob rolled around on screen with a rain cloud hovering over its head?

That commercial first debuted back in 2001, and since then Zoloft, or Sertraline hydrochloride, has become one of the top psychiatric drugs used by American adults, according to one recent study.

“Zoloft is one of the first-line antidepressant medications prescribed for both depression and anxiety, meaning it’s one of the most likely to work,” says Alison Hermann, MD, a clinical psychiatrist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Zoloft is part of a class of drugs called SSRIs, or selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors. “Their main effect has to do with changing the signaling of one of the main neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin, which modulates mood,” explains James Murrough, MD, the director of the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “These medicines tend to increase the availability of serotonin in the brain, which can help boost your mood.”

And that’s the goal, right?

In general, antidepressants are well tolerated. But, like with all drugs, there are Zoloft side effects—some of which are merely annoying and some of which can actually be dangerous. “I generally start my patients on the lowest milligram pill and have them cut it in half for the few few doses just to make sure you’re tolerating it before bumping it up,” says Dr. Hermann.

So if you’re prescribed Zoloft, here’s what to look out for.

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1

Changes in Weight or Appetite

People taking Zoloft gained nearly two pounds over the course of a year, according to one study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. It’s not the only SSRI linked with weight gain, but if that’s a concern for you, talk to your doctor about your options.

2

GI Effects

“Interestingly, there’s actually a lot of serotonin in the gastrointestinal tract, so people on Zoloft can experience changes in GI function,” says Dr. Murrough. “That could mean an upset stomach, nausea, or changes in bowel habits like constipation or diarrhea.” Dr. Murrough suggests starting on the lowest possible dose to avoid these issues, then increasing the dosage as your system acclimates to the extra serotonin.

3

Sexual Side Effects

This is one of those side effects no one wants to talk about, but it can affect at least a third of patients on SSRIs, says Dr. Murrough. “We don’t know why drugs like Zoloft have sexual side effects, but people can experience things like difficulty orgasming, a lack of sex drive, or the inability to get or maintain an erection.” For some people, the benefits of the medicine will outweigh the negative effects on their sex life; for others, a change in medication may be necessary.

4

Increased Anxiety

Another one of the more common Zoloft side effects is called akathisia. “It’s like feeling amped up or restless, like you need to move, or like you’re unable to calm down,” explains Dr. Hermann. In some cases, akathisia can even feel like a panic attack. But akathisia can be mitigated by starting on a really low dose and slowly working your way up, she adds.

5

Mood or Behavior Changes

Obviously, you want your mood to change while taking an antidepressant or anti-anxiety drug. “But the mood or behavior change that we’re most worried about as mental health professionals is increased depression or suicidal thoughts or a switch from depression to mania,” says Dr. Hermann. “Any antidepressant intervention has the potential to flip someone who’s vulnerable, who has bipolar disorder rather than depression, into a mania, which is why it’s so important to make sure you have the right diagnosis before starting medication.”

6

Night Sweats

“Nighttime sweating is a common side effects of SSRIs, and Zoloft is one of the drugs where it’s more common,” says Dr. Hermann. “It’s not dangerous at all, provided that the person is seeing an internist regularly and has had a physical exam and lab work within the year to indicate there’s nothing else responsible for it. ” It is uncomfortable, though, so Hermann recommends wearing sweat-wicking materials to bed and keeping your bedroom cool enough at night.

7

Serotonin Syndrome

“This is a catch-all term for what happens when there’s too much serotonin in the body,” says Dr. Murrough. “It affects your blood pressure, can cause severe GI symptoms, and can even lead to confusion, fevers, and seizures—in extreme cases, it’s life-threatening.”

The risk is very low for people who are just taking one medication, but if someone is on several medications that affect serotonin levels, the risk level rises. “Sometimes, people describe this as a bad flu—so on the off chance that happens, call your doctor right away,” says Dr. Murrough. “The treatment is to simply stop the medication.”

8

Trouble Sleeping

In most cases, antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds help people sleep better. But, occasionally, “people report unusual dreams, restlessness during sleep, or feeling like their sleep is altered in some way,” says Dr. Hermann.

This is a potential risk of taking something that affects your brain, says Dr. Hermann, and if it’s disruptive enough to your life, your doctor might try you on a different drug.

9

Rashes

Sometimes people can develop rashes or increased skin sensitivity while taking Zoloft, says Naema Qureshi, MD, a psychiatrist at Brooklyn Minds. It’ll usually go away on its own, and you can find relief in the mean time with an over-the-counter anti-itch cream.

“However, if you show signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, itchiness, or throat swelling shortly after you start Zoloft, you should stop taking it and report these symptoms to your doctor immediately,” says Dr. Qureshi.

10

Headaches

Headaches are common when you first start taking Zoloft, or when you increase the dose, says Dr. Qureshi.

“For most people, headaches go away after a week or two as your body adjusts to the medication,” she explains. “If you experience occasional headaches while starting the medication, you can try common over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol.”

If your headaches are persistent, Dr. Qureshi recommends talking to your doctor, as it’s possible you may tolerate a different medication better.

11

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is another common side effect of Zoloft which can sometimes persist, says Dr. Qureshi.

“It’s important to pay attention to dry mouth because it can increase your risk of cavities and other oral issues,” she says. “In addition to maintaining good oral hygiene and hydration, you could consider trying a toothpaste or mouthwash specifically designed for dry mouth.”

12

Rare Side Effects

While most people tolerate Zoloft well, patients can experience rare but serious side effects such as vision changes, seizures, confusion, and dizziness while taking it, says Dr. Qureshi. Talk to your doc about any underlying conditions you have before you start any new meds, how Zoloft might interact with anything you’re already taking, and seek immediate help if you start experiencing any of these uncommon side effects.

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Zoloft Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

See also Warning section.

Nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, loss of appetite, increased sweating, diarrhea, upset stomach, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: easy bruising/bleeding, decreased interest in sex, decrease in sexual ability (ejaculation delay), muscle cramps/weakness, shaking (tremor), unusual weight loss.

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, black/bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, eye pain/swelling/redness, widened pupils, vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night, blurred vision).

This medication may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section). Get medical help right away if you develop some of the following symptoms: fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness.

Rarely, males may have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours. If this occurs, stop using this drug and get medical help right away, or permanent problems could occur.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US –

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

What to expect in the first week of taking Zoloft

Starting dose | Side effects | Missing a dose | Overdose | When to see a doctor

Living with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression can make daily life stressful. Luckily, there are many treatment options available for people who seek relief from anxiety or depression. Zoloft is a prescription medication used to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and when taken properly, it can make daily life more manageable. Let’s take a more in-depth look at how to take Zoloft, what side effects to look out for in the first week, and what else to expect when you first start this medication.       

Starting Zoloft

Zoloft is the brand name of a generic medication called sertraline, which belongs to a group of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs like Zoloft are antidepressants that work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. An estimated 31% of all adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life, and statistics show that 264 million adults around the globe have anxiety. Doctors commonly prescribe Zoloft to treat anxiety, but it can also be used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic attacks, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).    

Just like with any medication, knowing as much as possible about the drug you’ll be taking is essential to making sure you maximize its potential benefits. Knowing how to take Zoloft properly is important to make sure it works as effectively as possible. When taken correctly, Zoloft can make people feel less anxious or fearful, and it can reduce the urge to perform repeated tasks. It can improve sleep quality, appetite, energy levels, restore interest in daily life, and reduce unwanted thoughts and panic attacks.  

Zoloft is available in tablet form in dosage strengths of 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg. It’s also available as an oral solution, which must be diluted into four ounces of water, orange juice, lemonade, ginger ale, or lemon/lime soda before consumption.   

The standard dose of Zoloft for anxiety is 25 mg or 50 mg per day. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these are the standard doses of Zoloft for other disorders:

  • Major depressive disorder: 50 mg daily 
  • OCD: 50 mg per day for those older than 13 years of age 
  • Panic disorder: 25 mg daily
  • PTSD: 25 mg daily
  • Social anxiety disorder: 25 mg daily
  • PMDD: 50 mg per day during the luteal phase only   

It’s important to talk with your doctor about what dosage is right for you because the exact amount of medication you’ll need will vary based on your specific condition, how severe your symptoms are, and whether or not you have any other health problems.  

Once you start taking Zoloft in the right amount as prescribed by your doctor, you can expect it to start working in about two to six weeks. Zoloft isn’t the type of medication that will start working on the first day, so you’ll need a little bit of patience while you wait for it to start relieving your symptoms. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, some of the earliest signs that Zoloft is working are improvements in sleep, energy, or appetite. These improvements could happen as soon as one to two weeks into taking the medication. More significant changes like feeling less depressed or regaining interest in daily life may take six to eight weeks to show up.      

When you first start taking Zoloft, you may begin to notice a few side effects. One of the best ways to avoid side effects is to take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe you a certain dose for a reason, and taking more Zoloft because you want it to work faster isn’t safe. Let’s take a look at some of the most common side effects of Zoloft you’ll want to be aware of when you start taking it.   

Zoloft side effects to expect in the first week

During your first week of taking Zoloft you may experience some initial side effects even if you’re taking the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This happens because it takes time for the body to become used to the medication. Some of the most common side effects that people have during their first week of taking Zoloft include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation 
  • Dry mouth
  • Sleepiness 
  • Nervousness
  • Drowsiness 
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Restlessness
  • Decreased sex drive 
  • Weight gain 
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Increased sweating

Taking Zoloft may make you feel uncomfortable or weird at first as your body starts to process the medication. After a week or two these side effects will go away for most people as their bodies get used to the medication. It’s possible to experience some of these side effects sporadically throughout the duration that you’re taking Zoloft, especially if your doctor increases your dose. 

Although it’s rare, Zoloft can cause more serious side effects like: 

  • Unusual weight loss 
  • Low sodium levels 
  • An increased risk of bleeding 
  • Eye pain that indicates angle-closure glaucoma 
  • Sexual dysfunction such as delayed ejaculation 
  • Manic episodes for people with undiagnosed bipolar disorder
  • Allergic reactions  
  • Seizures 

Zoloft also comes with a box warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Short-term studies have shown that antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to a placebo. If you’re taking Zoloft and start to have extreme mood changes and/or suicidal thoughts or behaviors, you should seek medical advice right away.  

Another thing to consider when taking Zoloft is that it shouldn’t be taken with certain medications. Giving a list of all the medications and over-the-counter supplements you’re taking to your doctor will help reduce your chances of experiencing more serious side effects from interactions with Zoloft. Here’s a list of medications that shouldn’t be taken at the same time as Zoloft: 

  • Medications that increase serotonin  
  • Triptans (migraine agents)
  • Tricyclic antidepressants  
  • Blood thinners such as warfarin 
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)   
  • St. John’s Wort 
  • Lithium
  • Ultram (tramadol)  
  • Nardil (phenelzine) 
  • Parnate (tranylcypromine) 
  • Marplan (isocarboxazid) 
  • Azilect (rasagiline) 
  • Emsam (selegiline)
  • Orap (pimozide) 

Zoloft shouldn’t be taken at the same time as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) because this could lead to serotonin syndrome, which causes hallucinations, seizures, comas, tremors, delirium, and other serious side effects. This list of drug interactions is not exhaustive, so it’s so important to tell your doctor about all the medications you’re taking or thinking about taking.     

Missing a dose of Zoloft

Nobody is perfect, and missing a dose of Zoloft is bound to happen at one point or another. Taking your medication consistently as prescribed by your doctor is important, but missing a dose isn’t the end of the world if you know what to do when it happens. 

“Take your dose as soon as you remember,” says Brian Wind, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and the chief clinical officer of JourneyPure. “If it is nearly time to take the next dose, don’t take an extra dose to make up for the one you missed. Simply take the next dose. You can experience side effects and an increased risk of relapse if you suddenly stop your medication.”

The side effects you might experience if you stop or miss a dose of your medication are mild withdrawal symptoms that happen because of something called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. According to American Family Physician, antidepressant discontinuation syndrome occurs in about 20% of patients who abruptly discontinue an antidepressant after taking one consistently for at least six weeks. Missing a dose of Zoloft may cause you to have flu-like symptoms, nausea, insomnia, imbalance, or hyperarousal.  

The best thing you can do if you miss a dose, just as Dr. Wind says, is to take your next dose as soon as you remember. If you’ve been experiencing any symptoms because of your missed dose, they should go away once you start taking Zoloft consistently again. It may also be a good idea to contact your doctor if you miss a dose, just to check in and make sure you don’t need to do anything else.   

Zoloft overdose

Overdosing on Zoloft is more serious than missing a dose. There are no reported cases of fatal Zoloft overdoses, but taking too much medication can cause serious side effects or health complications. Accidentally or purposefully taking two or more doses of Zoloft could cause:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Agitation
  • Confusion
  • Fever
  • Fainting
  • Hallucinations
  • Changes in blood pressure 
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Tremors
  • Seizures 

In rare cases, taking too much Zoloft can also cause serotonin syndrome, which results in dangerously high levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. When there’s too much serotonin in the brain this can cause confusion, diarrhea, and headaches. More severe symptoms may include seizures, hallucinations, muscle rigidity, and comas.     

If you think you’ve overdosed on Zoloft and/or start to experience one or more of these symptoms you should seek medical attention right away or call the Poison Control hotline at 1-800-222-1222. The Poison Control hotline is free for anyone to use and offers callers expert and confidential advice.  

When to see a doctor for Zoloft side effects

Zoloft can be a great medication to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression if it’s taken properly. Being prepared to experience potential side effects is an important part of taking any medication, and knowing what to expect can remove some of the anxiety that oftentimes comes from taking a new medication.  

If you start taking Zoloft and have some mild side effects it’s important to remember that that’s normal. It’s also important to remember at what point you should see your doctor because of the side effects you’re having. As mentioned throughout this article, more serious side effects like confusion, hallucinations, allergic reactions, seizures, and vomiting require medical attention. If you start to experience worsening depression or anxiety, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, severe irritability or aggression, then you should seek immediate medical help.  

Zoloft isn’t the only antidepressant that can treat anxiety and depression. Zoloft can be very effective, but if it doesn’t work for you or if it causes too many side effects, then an alternative antidepressant may be needed. Clinical trials have shown that depression symptoms will completely go away for about 1 out of every 3 people who take SSRIs, but more research still needs to be done on why SSRIs work for some people and not for others.   

If you’re experiencing too many side effects from Zoloft, then you might consider talking with your healthcare provider about other options. Here are some of the most popular alternatives to Zoloft: 

  • Celexa (citalopram): Celexa is an SSRI that’s FDA approved to treat depression, and even though it’s mainly prescribed for depression, doctors can sometimes prescribe it to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
  • Effexor Xr (venlafaxine hcl er): Effexor is a Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) that can treat depression, improve moods, and improve energy levels. 
  • Lexapro (escitalopram): Lexapro is an SSRI used to treat generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.
  • Paxil (paroxetine): Paxil is an SSRI used to treat depression and other psychological conditions. 
  • Prozac (fluoxetine): Prozac is an SSRI used to treat major depressive disorder, OCD, bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder. 
  • Xanax (alprazolam): Xanax is a benzodiazepine that relieves anxiety in the short-term. Xanax is a controlled substance because of its potential for abuse/dependence. 

The potential to experience side effects from a medication shouldn’t keep you from getting the treatment you need for your anxiety or depression. Talking with your healthcare provider is the best way to come up with a treatment plan that will work best for you and cause the least amount of side effects for you on your journey to find relief from your symptoms.  

Antidepressant Side Effects: How Depression Medication Can Affect Your Sleep

Depression can be a complete nightmare. If you have this mental health disorder, medication can improve your day-to-day existence in many ways. But antidepressant side effects can also turn that figurative nightmare into a literal one.

Do some digging on the internet and you’ll see plenty of people on antidepressants reporting strange, intense, sometimes alarming dreams. “They are scary, not like a zombie apocalypse, but like a car accident or a heart attack,” Gaby Dunn wrote on Thought Catalog. “They feel real and realistic, which makes them even more disturbing.”

After starting antidepressants, Savannah Hemming wrote on Femsplain, “My dreams are vibrant, rich, and detailed, occurring in a world with as much depth as the one I live in during the day.… Sometimes the gorgeous hyper-realism and detail of these dreams feel like a curse, especially after I have nightmarish dreams.”

Sleep doctors aren’t surprised by this common antidepressant side effect. “This is absolutely something I’ve seen,” board-certified sleep specialist
Michael Breus, Ph.D., author of The Power Of When, tells SELF.

In addition to dream-related changes, antidepressants can affect your sleep in all sorts of ways, both good and bad.

Before you even add medication, depression and sleep issues are often linked.

People usually think of depression as causing symptoms like persistent sadness and feelings of worthlessness, but it can also lead to fatigue, insomnia, and consistently waking up too early or sleeping too late. And, of course, sleep issues can have a negative impact on your mental health, leading to a vicious cycle.

When you loop in drugs meant to combat depression, your sleep habits can change even more. “It depends on the antidepressant—some can be alerting, while some can be sedating,” Breus says.

Although different people can react to the same medication in different ways, there are some basic rules for how various antidepressants might influence your sleep.

“Generally speaking, these medications affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine,” which are important for regulating your emotions, board-certified sleep medicine doctor and neurologist W. Chris Winter, M.D., of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and author of The Sleep Solution, tells SELF.

These neurotransmitters play another role as well. “All of these chemicals are big players in the pathways of maintaining or initiating sleep, or chemicals that help you feel awake during the day,” Winter says.

Take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil). “Serotonin is a calming hormone,” Breus says. “When somebody is taking an SSRI, they have more serotonin in their system for longer, which can have a sedating effect,” leading to sleepiness.

On the other side of the spectrum, norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors, like the popular drug bupropion (Wellbutrin), increase the levels of those two neurotransmitters in the brain. That can result in feeling extra-energized, potentially causing insomnia, Breus says.

Other types of antidepressants can bring about either fatigue or insomnia as side effects.

Antidepressants have the ability to change how you dream because they affect your REM sleep.

“Depending on the antidepressant, you may find the medication enhances dreaming or your memory of dreams and nightmares,” Winter says. But other medications can suppress your dreaming or ability to remember your dreams. And until you try a certain antidepressant, there’s no way to know how it will affect your dreams—it could go either way.

This phenomenon likely centers around rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the mentally restorative sleep cycle in which dreams occur.

Many antidepressants suppress REM sleep. Escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and paroxetine (Paxil) have all been shown to have this effect.

90,000 Antidepressant Pfizer Zoloft – “Without psychotherapy, it just drives depression inward. My annual experience of use and the conclusions I came to when comparing it with other drugs “

The psychotherapist warned that the first 2 weeks can be nauseous and quite severe. And indeed, with side effects, I kept within exactly the allotted 14 days for addiction. I will not say that it was straightforward to vomit, but there were vomiting urges from scratch. But it was clear from the sensations that the incident would not happen in public – there would be no vomiting….

And the first two weeks I slept for 3-4 hours and then in total in fits and starts. I was about to quit. But then it got better. Not good though. Two nights I sleep at midnight, on the third I fall asleep already exhausted. There are no nightmares.

Mood really REALLY improves. When I started drinking it, it seemed to me that there was no point in living further. BUT after a couple of days she began to show interest in life. And after two weeks, I sometimes began to feel joy and realized that even after the events that happened in my life, there will still be happy moments in my life.In general, it helped tremendously in the acute phase.

Comparison of Zoloft with other drugs for depression that I have already tried.

Valdoxan and Zoloft: what to choose.

Valdoxan is a good French drug that has no cheap analogues. At a price more expensive than Zoloft, either half or 1/3, it depends on the pharmacy chain. But in general, it is significantly more expensive if you take the same six months of treatment.

Also sold by prescription only. It has a great, just great effect for those like me who have trouble sleeping. Asthenic syndrome (a tired nervous system that is annoyed by every little thing) goes away.

This is great. And this is the main difference (for me) from Zoloft, from which I do not sleep fully.

Well, the disadvantage is that the influence of Valdoxan on mood is not as pronounced as that of Zoloft. Actually, it becomes only LITTLE better than without it. There is no withdrawal syndrome, although I did not quit drinking according to the rules, but abruptly.

Most likely, the drug is designed for the rested body to recover itself. This is my speculation.

Atarax and Zoloft: which is better for depression.

Atarax is much cheaper than Zoloft. When buying, they ask a doctor’s recommendation, a prescription, but sometimes they can sell without anything.

The effect of it is rather weak, not expressed. Saw also for six months. The result was not impressive. I don’t know how it affects sleep, because it was recommended to me in the morning and in the afternoon for admission.

Grandaxin and Zoloft: which drug is better to buy.

Grandaxin is somehow stronger for me than Atarax. When I just started taking it, there was a feeling that I was surrounded by cotton wool, everything around seemed unreal. There were no feelings at all. After about a week it passed. The drug soothes. But according to my feelings, it is good to drink it when there were some small temporary troubles in order to survive them without hassle. He cannot cope with depression cardinally.

Teraligen and Zoloft: which one is stronger.

If I do not sleep from Zoloft, then from Teraligen I cannot wake up. At all. No way. I (a person who wakes up even if the cat has moved in the dark) do not hear the alarm clock at all. And if I do. then I don’t react, I can’t get up with an effort of will. I go to bed at 8 pm and at 3 pm I get up with great difficulty. And at 6 pm I want to sleep again. I could not survive the two-week period of side effects, so I don’t know. whether it will pass over time.

Summary: Is it worth buying Zoloft or can you do without it?

They prescribed it to me in 2014, but I started drinking only in 2016, which I really regret. Like many, I did not want to be poisoned with medicines, I thought that I could do it myself, that a psychologist would help, etc. As I understand it, these are quite common mistakes among those who are faced with depression. It seems to everyone. that it is a recession, not a disease. Plus, there are a lot of home-grown specialists around who keep repeating – “Well, you can’t get yourself together”, “you can’t do that, finish it”, “you just don’t want to.”

I could not cope myself, only the relations in the family got upset and everything got out of control. Zoloft’s mood improves, sleep frustrates. As a result, six months later I had asthenia (exhaustion), which I treated with acupuncture.

The drug had no effect on hormones and weight.

Initially it was expected that the appointment would be 4 months, but in fact of further appointments and diagnostics, everything was delayed for a year. But I am glad that I underwent this treatment.

And I urge everyone who is faced with signs of depression: score on the harmful advice of others.They do not advise treating appendicitis with herbs. It is a disease with physiological roots. This is an atrophy of willpower, so you won’t be able to cope with the “pull yourself together, rag” technique.

I don’t urge everyone to drink Zoloft – I urge you to find a good psychotherapist. It is very important. In my practice, alas, there were doctors who clearly did not understand. what they are doing and why. And one said so. I don’t even know what to do, well, keep drinking, it won’t get any worse.

Antidepressants – @ diaries: antisocial network

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

I have been going to a psychotherapist for 2 years.All this time they delayed the appointment of antidepressants. But lately I’ve been really bad at everything, bad thoughts, all that. The psychotherapist said that, probably, it is not worth delaying any longer and it is necessary to try medications (specifically which ones have not been determined yet) Tell us, how was it? What can you expect? Particularly disturbing are the side effects, is it really that suicidal thoughts can intensify, that they get fat from blood pressure, there is no attraction? What can you expect from antidepressants, what internal changes?
In particular, they are interested in the stories of those who started drinking blood pressure without any particular separate traumatic situation, but simply because the state “life is not sweet, but why it is not clear and how to live further – too.”Thank you!

Question: Have you taken antidepressants?

1. Yes, and it helped me. 88 (41.31%)
2. Yes, it didn’t help me either. 11 (5.16%)
3. No, 114 (53.52%)
Total: 213


@Topics:
Health: advice needed
Health: recommendations

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Depression

Russian Academy of Medical Sciences
SCIENTIFIC CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH

DEPRESSION (from hope to certainty).
(INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES)


MOSCOW
2008

Oleichik I.V. – Candidate of Medical Sciences, Leading Researcher of the Department for the Study of Endogenous Psychic Disorders and Affective States

© 2008, Oleichik I.H
© 2008, NCPZ RAMS

The vast experience accumulated by mankind and reflected in many literary works convincingly shows that sadness (sadness, blues) has always gone side by side with people, being one of the natural human emotions. None of us is immune from failure, illness, breakdown of relationships, loss of loved ones, financial ruin. Each person can face something inevitable and inevitable, when it seems that life is losing its meaning, and despair becomes boundless.Normally, however, sadness, sadness and longing, as natural reactions to traumatic events in the psyche, weaken over time and the person’s condition returns to normal without special treatment. The situation is different with depressions, which are mental disorders that differ from natural physiological reactions in greater intensity, special severity of experiences and persistence of manifestations. True depressions rarely go away on their own, requiring persistent, sometimes long-term treatment.
A depressive state (from the Latin word depressio – suppression, oppression) is a disease that concerns not only an individual specific sick person, but is also a significant burden of modern society, since it is spreading more and more in the world, causing tremendous damage to the health of the population and the state economy.Moreover, this applies to all countries, regardless of their level of social development. Depression affects at least 200 million people worldwide every year. Perhaps these figures are even higher, since most victims of depression do not seek help, because they do not realize the pain of their condition. Scientists have calculated that almost one in five people who have reached adulthood suffers at least one episode of depression during their life.
In the most general sense, a depressive state is one of the possible forms of a person’s response to the impact of stress factors.In some cases, depression can be triggered by external negative influences, for example, mental trauma, excessive training or work overload, infection or other serious somatic illness, traumatic brain injury, changes in the hormonal background, which is especially important for the female body, regular taking certain medications, such as hormones, drugs that lower blood pressure, abuse of alcohol or other drugs. In other cases, depressive states develop as a manifestation of such mental illnesses, in which the main effect is heredity or the characteristics of the nervous system (cyclothymia, dysthymia, manic-depressive psychosis, schizophrenia, etc.).). If, on the basis of the description of depressive symptoms set forth below in our brochure, you understand that you have really developed a depressive state, do not fall into despair, do not “try to pull yourself together,” remember that depression is not a manifestation of weakness of will or character, on the contrary, the weakening of volitional qualities is one of the main symptoms of depression. Depression is a disease like rheumatism, arthritis or hypertension, it responds well to treatment, with the result that there is almost always a complete recovery.You should not blame yourself for the occurrence of depression, it does not indicate either your fault, or your weakness, or the possible development of a more severe mental pathology. Below we will tell you about the symptoms of depression, which can be extremely varied.

Manifestations of depression

The manifestations of depression can be very different. Depressive states can be manifested by a violation of almost all aspects of mental life: mood, memory, will, activity, which is expressed in the appearance of sadness, sadness, mental and muscle inhibition, lasting at least 2 weeks.Depressed mood during depression can manifest itself as mild sadness, sadness, and boundless despair. It is often accompanied by a feeling of melancholy, unbearable heaviness on the soul, with excruciating pain behind the breastbone, a feeling of hopelessness, deep depression, hopelessness, helplessness, despair and insecurity. At the same time, the patient is completely immersed in his gloomy experiences, and external events, even the most joyful ones, do not affect him, do not affect the mood, and sometimes even worsen the latter.Anxiety of varying severity is also a constant “companion” of a depressive mood: from mild anxiety or tension to violent excitement, violence. Anxiety and bad mood arise at the mere thought of the need to make a decision or change your plans due to suddenly changed circumstances. Anxiety can also manifest itself at the physical (bodily) level in the form of belching, intestinal spasms, loose stools, frequent urination, shortness of breath, palpitations, headaches, increased sweating, etc.
The picture of depression is complemented by the disappearance of desires and interests, a pessimistic assessment of everything around him, ideas of one’s own inferiority and self-accusation. Deficiency of vital impulses manifests itself in patients with many symptoms – from lethargy, physical weakness to a state of weakness, loss of energy and complete impotence. Where an important decision is required, a choice between various options, human activity is sharply hampered. Depression sufferers are well aware of this: they complain that small everyday tasks, small issues that were previously solved almost automatically, acquire the meaning of complex, painful, insoluble problems.At the same time, a person feels that he has begun to slowly think, act and speak, notes the oppression of drives (including food and sexual instincts), suppression or loss of the instinct of self-preservation and the lack of the ability to enjoy life, up to complete indifference to what previously liked , caused positive emotions.
People with depression often feel “stupid,” “mentally retarded,” “feeble-minded.” Thinking in depression becomes viscous, painful, requires special efforts, one mental image is hardly displaced by the next.The sick person is depressed by the feeling of his own intellectual inconsistency, professional collapse. Depressed patients find it difficult to describe their painful experiences to the doctor. Only after recovering from depression, many of them say that their mood at that moment was low, thinking was slow, all undertakings (including treatment) seemed in vain, and the years they lived were empty and useless. However, at the time of the first visit to the doctor, they could not explain this because of the almost complete absence of thoughts in the head, “para-lich of thinking”.With depression, there are also often complaints about memory loss, which is why those suffering from it assume that they have “Alzheimer’s disease”, “schizophrenia”, “senile dementia”, which is not true. These complaints are especially common in depression developing in adolescence.
Typical story
Alexey, 18 years old, a 1st year student at a technical university, describes his condition during depression this way:
“Since childhood, I was fond of technology and modeling, I could read special literature for hours, I won school and regional Olympiads in mathematics and physics.After leaving school, my dream came true – I brilliantly passed the exams at a prestigious university. Then it seemed to me that the whole world was at my feet, I was flying with happiness “as if on wings.” In September I started my studies with pleasure. In the beginning, everything worked out well, but after 2 months I began to notice that it was more and more difficult for me to assimilate what I was reading, I did not memorize the simplest text, I could not solve the problems that I used to “click like nuts”. Attempts to achieve success with the help of many hours of “brainstorming” or drinking a few cups of coffee led to the fact that I completely ceased to think anything.It seemed to me that I was “completely and irreversibly dull.” At night, I sobbed, wrapped in a blanket and wondered how best to commit suicide. Fortunately, I met a senior in the library and shared my problems with him. A new acquaintance of mine said that he was experiencing something similar and advised me to see a psychiatrist at a student clinic. After the examination, I was diagnosed with juvenile depression and referred for treatment to a specialized medical center. After 2 months I felt completely healthy, returned to my studies and caught up with my classmates. “

Depression can also be accompanied by real setbacks: for example, decreased academic performance, quality of work, family conflicts, sexual disorders and their consequences for personal relationships. As a rule, the significance of these failures is exaggerated and, as a result, there is a false sense of the irreparability of what happened, “the collapse of all hopes.”
Another generally recognized danger of depression is the possibility of suicidal thoughts, which often lead to suicide attempts. The condition of a person suffering from depression can suddenly deteriorate sharply, which happens either without clear external reasons, or under the influence of traumatic situations, unpleasant news.It was at these hours, and sometimes even minutes, that the fateful decision was made. Factors that increase the risk of suicide in depression are past suicide attempts, the severity and duration of the depressive state, the presence of anxiety in its structure, prolonged insomnia, loneliness or alienation in the family, alcohol and drug abuse, loss of work and a sharp change in lifestyle, as well as suicides by relatives.
Typical history
Evgeniy E., 35 years old, leading manager of the company.
Almost all my life my career went “ascending”, the goals set were clear-cut, clear and achievable. The marriage was extremely harmonious, two beloved children grew up. He devoted almost all his time to the business of the company, occasionally, once every 1-2 months, he and his family broke out of the city, to the country house. He often did not sleep enough, stayed late at work, took home assignments, was deeply worried about the affairs of the company. Gradually, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating appeared, and more and more often suffered a “fiasco” in his intimate life.There were thoughts that life was lived in vain, that it was a “chain of tragic mistakes” that led to a dead end. He began to believe that the choice of work, friends, family was wrong, for which now “the reckoning has come.” Analyzing the past years for a long time, I found more and more evidence and examples of my “duplicity, hypocrisy, insincerity, etc.” I realized that the only way to solve all the problems is voluntary withdrawal from life. At the same time, he believed that by this act he would free the family from the “burden”, “loser”, “loser”.I decided to lock myself in the garage and poison myself with the exhaust gases of the car. However, by chance, in a semi-conscious state, he was discovered by an employee of a garage cooperative. He explained the incident as “an unfortunate incident.” The thought of leaving this life did not leave the patient. I decided to shoot myself from a gas pis-tolet, which I had acquired long ago for self-defense. After being shot in the mouth, in a difficult state, he was taken to the N.N. Sklifasovsky, from where he was discharged a week later. The alarmed wife, suspecting something was wrong, decided to consult her husband at the psycho-atra.Was admitted to the clinic. He agreed to this only out of respect for family relations, he himself believed that treatment by psychiatrists was completely useless, because his position is hopeless and no medicine will help here, but will only “intoxicate” his psyche. However, after two weeks of taking a modern antidepressant drug, the patient’s point of view changed. Everything began to look not so bleak and hopeless, interest in work and life in general returned, began to feel more cheerful, more energetic, an interest in intimate life appeared.He took work to the clinic, called up with colleagues. After two months of treatment, he completely returned to his usual life. With bewilderment, I recalled my reflections on insolvency, the collapse of life, and suicide. He took the drug prophylactically for about six months, then, on the recommendation of a doctor, gradually reduced the dose and stopped taking it. Over the next two years, the condition remained stable, career growth continued, and another child was born.

Depression is also characterized by sleep disorders, which are observed in approximately 80% of patients.As a rule, these are early awakenings with the inability to fall asleep, lack of a sense of sleep, difficulty falling asleep. These disorders, as well as restless sleep with unpleasant dreams, are often the very first symptoms of onset depression.
If the depressive state is shallow, it is sometimes difficult to recognize it. This is due to the fact that people are ashamed to tell others about their problems, to admit their “weaknesses”. Quite often, especially in Russia, depressive states are masked by alcohol abuse (“vodka heals”).In addition, often patients suffering from depression, in order to “shake themselves,” “throw themselves out of trouble,” engage in casual sex, are addicted to gambling or extreme sports, leave to serve under a contract in “hot spots”, lead an idle lifestyle with constant attendance at entertainment events. People around them, relatives who do not have psychiatric knowledge, often accuse them of debauchery, drunkenness, a riotous lifestyle, parasitism. Meanwhile, this behavior is a kind of “cry for help”, an attempt with new acquaintances and impressions to fill the spiritual emptiness introduced by depression.
Depressive states can occur in shallow forms that are easily treatable, but at least a third of depressions are more severe. Such depressions are characterized by:
– ideas of guilt, sometimes reaching the degree of delirium, i.e. unshakable conviction of their sinfulness, inferiority (patients consider themselves to be great sinners, believe that because of them all relatives and Humanity will die, that they are “moral monsters” from birth, allegedly devoid of the foundations of morality and feelings of empathy for other people that they have no place on earth.They find in their past numerous “confirmations” of the above, believe that the doctor and other patients are aware of these sins and express contempt and indignation with their facial expressions and gestures, but in words they “hide, deny the obvious.” This must be remembered by both the sick and their loved ones in order to prevent the impending threat in time: remove all firearms, stabbing and cutting objects, ropes, potent medicines and poisonous household liquids, close windows or shutters, do not let the sick one go anywhere.If these ideas become persistent and do not lend themselves to dissuasion, it is necessary to urgently seek advice from a neuropsychiatric institution or call a psychiatrist at home.
– mood swings during the day: in typical cases, the patient, waking up, immediately feels melancholy. Sometimes, even before full awakening, through a dream, he experiences a grave premonition of a difficult coming morning. In the evening, the state of health improves somewhat.
– the patient may experience a feeling of unmotivated hostility to relatives, friends, constant internal discontent and irritation, which makes him unbearable for the family.
– for a number of people suffering from depression, constant doubts come to the fore, fear for the health and well-being of loved ones, obsessive, i.e. arising without will, ideas about the misfortunes and troubles of family members.

Typical history
Dmitry Petrovich, 58 years old, teacher.
“After some minor troubles at work, I began to feel incomprehensible anxiety and agitation. Unpleasant thoughts crept into my head that I did something wrong at work, which is why I rechecked everything many times and went home later than everyone else.But even at home, the alarm did not let go: as soon as the daughter or wife lingered for at least half an hour, terrible pictures of traffic accidents or violence were drawn in imagination. I fell asleep only in the morning, got up broken and felt sleepy all day. I took Valeria, well, Corvalol, but it practically did not help. At work, they hinted if I might take a vacation. Friends advised to contact a neurologist, but he did not find his pathology and referred to a psychiatrist. I was diagnosed with anxiety depression.After a course of outpatient treatment, I completely recovered. ”

– in many cases, depression is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the body, disturbances in the activity of internal organs in the absence of objective signs of a true somatic, i.e. not related to the psyche of the disease. At the same time, many patients constantly note pain and internal discomfort. Some complain of headache, pain in the stomach, joints, lower back, others – on disorders in the intestines: constipation, indigestion, irritation of the colon, and still others pay attention to a decrease in sex drive and potency.In women, menstruation often becomes painful and irregular. Approximately 50% of depressed people at the doctor’s appointment complain of similar physical ailments, without mentioning the depressed mood or state of mind that underlies depression. Experiencing chronic pain or other unpleasant sensations in the body, patients may not even realize that they are suffering from depression, even with severe melancholy, considering the latter a reaction to painful bodily discomfort.
– some patients are convinced that they have some rare and difficult to diagnose disease and insist on numerous examinations in general medical institutions.Doctors call this condition masked (hidden) depression, in which a person may experience pain in the head, in the limbs, behind the sternum, in the abdomen and in any other parts of the body, he may be haunted by anxiety, he may suffer from insomnia, or, on the contrary, sleeping too much.
– patients may experience disturbances in the cardiovascular system, itching or lack of appetite may appear. And all these are manifestations of depression.
– the pathological sensations that patients experience with such depressions are quite real, painful, but they are the result of a special mental state, and not an internal illness.It must be remembered that the frequency of latent depressions exceeds the number of obvious ones many times.
– with such depressions in patients, as a rule, the attitude to food is also changed: they can go without food for a long time and not feel hunger, and sitting down at the table, eat only 1-2 tablespoons – they have neither the strength nor the desire for more …
– a sign of depression can be a weight loss of more than 5 kg. within a month. In some people, especially in women, appetite during depression, on the contrary, increases, sometimes reaching the level of excruciating hunger, accompanied by severe weakness and pain in the epigastric region.In some cases, food is taken in excess due to an increased desire for sweets or attempts to distract oneself from painful thoughts through frequent meals.
Thus, we see that depression is a disease with many different manifestations that do not go away by themselves, requiring special, sometimes long-term, medical intervention. Therefore, when the above symptoms appear, it is necessary to seek help from a psychiatrist, who will prescribe and control antidepressant treatment.

TREATMENT OF DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS

By now, it can be argued that the vast majority of cases of depression respond well to treatment. According to modern views, effective treatment of depression consists of a combination of pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and, if necessary, other types of treatment. In this case, the main role in therapy, of course, belongs to antidepressants – drugs specially developed for the treatment of various types of depression.
The creation of antidepressants is based on the discovery of scientists that depression develops as a result of a violation of the mechanism of biochemical transmission of nerve impulses in the brain regions responsible for mood, behavior, stress response, sleep and wakefulness, appetite and some other functions. To ensure the coordination of the work of all these functional units, the brain sends special “commands” to them in the form of chemical impulses transmitted from the processes of one nerve cell (neuron) to the processes of another.This transmission is carried out with the help of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters), which, having transmitted a signal, partially return to the original neuron. This process is called transceiver pickup. Thanks to him, the number of mediators in the microscopic space between the processes of neurons (in the so-called synaptic cleft) decreases, which means that the necessary signals are transmitted worse. Numerous studies have shown that various neurotransmitters, in particular, norepinephrine and serotonin, are involved in the transmission of signals that ensure the normal functioning of the nervous system.The first of them has a general activating effect, maintains the level of wakefulness of the body and takes part in the formation of adaptive reactions, and the second has the main antidepressant effect, controls impulsive actions, anxiety, aggressiveness, sexual behavior, falling asleep, feeling of pain, therefore serotonin is called sometimes a regulator of “good mood”. A decrease in the number of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft causes symptoms of depression, while an increase, on the contrary, prevents their appearance.The ability of some drugs to in one way or another increase the concentration of mediators in the synaptic cleft allows them to be used as antidepressants.
Now in Russia antidepressants are used, which can be conditionally divided by the time of creation into 4 generations.
The first antidepressants to find wide clinical use were drugs of the tricyclic structure: amitriptyline and imipramine. They have a rather powerful effect on most depressive conditions by blocking the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin.However, the real clinical effect of these drugs is significantly leveled by their unwanted side effects, which sharply reduce the quality of life of patients during treatment. Side effects of tricyclic antidepressants arise due to the non-specificity of their effect on receptor structures. Acting in addition to the serotonin and norepinephrine system and on other neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, histamine, dopamine), these antidepressants cause side effects such as urinary retention, dry mucous membranes, constipation, heart palpitations, fluctuations in blood pressure, confusion, tremors, sexual disorders function, weight gain.In such cases, it is necessary to prescribe other drugs to correct side effects or to reduce the therapeutic dose of drugs, which naturally affects the effectiveness of the antidepressant action. It has been noticed that up to 50% of patients refuse to take tricyclic antidepressants due to pronounced side effects. For the same reason, doctors are less and less likely to prescribe these drugs to patients on an outpatient basis.
Somewhat improved the situation with the introduction into practice of drugs of the second generation – tetracyclic antidepressants, which, along with the ability to block the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, could act on some other receptors.Being analogs of tricyclic compounds, these drugs have comparable antidepressant activity, but unlike their predecessors, they are safer, since they cause unwanted side effects much less often. In addition to the antidepressant, mianserin (lerivon) has a clear sedative, anti-anxiety and hypnotic effect. Maprotiline (lyudiamil) has a mild balanced antidepressant effect. In general, these drugs are able to treat mild to moderate depression, but are ineffective in patients with severe depression.
Today such antidepressants of the 3rd generation as fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Fevarin), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (cipralex) and some other drugs that selectively (selectively) affect the serotonin metabolism system have received widespread recognition. , preventing its reuptake in the synaptic cleft. Based on the mechanism of action, these antidepressants are combined into the group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In addition to treating depression, they are used to correct eating disorders, neutralize panic disorders, the so-called social phobias, various obsessions and chronic pain symptoms.These drugs have gained popularity due to the possibility of a single dose per day, the accompanying anti-anxiety effect, the presence of a psychostimulating component and a small number of side effects. In addition, they have low toxicity and are well tolerated by elderly patients. However, some researchers note their insufficient effectiveness in the treatment of severe forms of depressive conditions, probably associated with selective activity in relation to only one neurotransmitter – serotonin.It should be noted that in recent years, some American scientists associate the use of these drugs with an increased suicidal risk, which, however, has not been proven.
Given the high frequency of side effects in some of the above drugs and insufficient antidepressant activity in others, psychopharmacologists have taken the path of developing more effective antidepressants – IV generation drugs that selectively block the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine, without affecting other mediator system and having minor side effects.These requirements are currently met by 3 drugs: milnacipran (ixel), duloxetine (simbalta) and venlafaxine (effexor). Their antidepressant activity in the treatment of patients with severe and moderate depression has been confirmed in a number of specially conducted studies, which simultaneously showed that these drugs are well tolerated.
It should be noted that antidepressants of plant origin (nagrustin, gelarium hypericum, deprim, etc.) can be effective in shallow depressive states.), but there is no reliable data to guarantee their validity. The opinion of a number of doctors that all depression can be treated with herbs or, say, acupuncture, should be considered unfounded.
For extremely severe depression, which does not go away despite the use of the most powerful antidepressants, electro-seizure therapy (ECT) can be effective, but this situation is extremely rare and requires careful justification by a panel of doctors and the patient’s consent.
An important additional role in antidepressant therapy, especially with concomitant anxiety, is played by tranquilizers – anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax, Phenazepam, Diazepam, Nitrazepam, Atarax, etc.The drugs that, when taken regularly, prevent mood swings in various depressive disorders, include the so-called normotimics or mood stabilizers – lithium preparations, carbamazepine, valproic acid salts, lamotrigine, topiramate. With their systematic intake in most patients, the clinical manifestations of depression either completely disappear, or become rare and mild, do not require hospitalization and do not significantly affect the ability to work.
Antipsychotics play a prominent role in the treatment of some forms of depression. These include both traditional drugs – fluanksol, triftazin, eglonil, teralen, neuleptil, sonapax, and atypical antipsychotics that are gaining increasing recognition among doctors: seroquel, solian, zeldox, rispolept, abilify, sardolect and others.
In the drug therapy of depressive conditions, an unconventional, strictly individual approach is used, with the obligatory provision of fruitful cooperation between the patient and the doctor.Otherwise, there may be a violation of medical recommendations regarding doses and regimen of medications. The patient’s faith in the possibility of recovery, the absence of prejudice against the “harm” caused by psychotropic drugs, systematic adherence to the prescribed doctor’s prescriptions largely contribute to the achievement of therapeutic success.
Medication for depression takes time. You should not wait for a complete cure already in the first days of taking the drug.It must be remembered that all modern antidepressants begin to act on depressive symptoms no earlier than 1-2 weeks after the start of treatment. Cancellation of the antidepressant, as well as its appointment, should be carried out only by a doctor. Cancellation is usually made no earlier than 6 months from the normalization of the mental state. Even after the complete disappearance of all symptoms of depression, do not rush to stop taking the drug on your own, as there is a risk of exacerbation of the disease. Therefore, doctors recommend that you continue taking the antidepressant for a certain period of time.A common mistake is to prematurely discontinue medications soon after a significant improvement in the condition or due to “forgetfulness”. To avoid this, try to include the drug in your daily emergency list – for example, store it in the bathroom and take it after doing hygiene. When going on a trip, calculate exactly how many pills you need for the entire period of absence from home. The interruption of therapy is fraught with serious troubles.
Psychotherapy of patients with depressive conditions, carried out along with drug treatment, implies various systems of influence, including individual conversations, family and group therapy, etc.An important element of social rehabilitation is participation in the work of mutual support groups for patients with depression. This allows the rest of the patients to feel help in understanding their problems, to realize that they are not alone in their misfortune, to see the possibilities of personal participation in rehabilitation activities and in public life.

Q&A – Colors of Life

Hello, Alexey Alexandrovich. I am currently being treated for cancer phobia by a psychiatrist.In 2017, she applied for the same reason, and selected a treatment regimen: Elysea, first half a tablet, a week later, 1 tablet per day, stresam – 1 tablet. 3 times a day, chlorprothixene – 1 tab. 3 times a day. Everything helped me a lot. The drugs were prescribed for 1 year, I drank for six months and decided to stop taking it on my own. I would have known what it would turn out to be, I would never have done it. Renewal of all symptoms… .. Two weeks later I ran back to the doctor, he shook his finger, said that it’s impossible to do that, prescribed the same drugs again, said we’ll start all over again.And this time I spent them on drink in a course of 1 year. And she gradually reduced the dosage and stopped taking them in June 2019. At first there were some symptoms, but I successfully endured them…. In September of this year, against the background of stress (the child was ill), I was again all in tension, I couldn’t eat or drink, I thought only about the bad, went for tests. As soon as things started to improve, they let me go and after 3 days it covered me … Bloating, stomach ache, bursting everything below the stomach, my right side hurts.At first I did not think about the bad, I bought pills from the stomach, choleretic, and sat on a diet. a week later it did not help, I went to the doctor. Have passed a general blood test, everything is OK, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, chronic cholecystopancreatitis, gallbladder dyskenia, FGDS: superficial gastritis in an exacerbation, catarrhal bulbitis. The gastroenterologist prescribed the treatment. While she was being treated, then one will get sick, then the other, then it will start to swell again, then a wild belching, then the intestines will hurt wildly. Every time I start to get wildly nervous, it throws me into a sweat, how can it be – I’m being treated, but it doesn’t help me.I’m starting to read the Internet, why it can be so, and why so. And it all comes down to one thing, that I may have cancer. And for the third time I turned to the same psychiatrist. And he decided to prescribe me the same drugs as before, but only replaced the stresam with grandaxin. (because I take contraceptives). I started taking them. I accept the 3rd day. And somehow I don’t feel well. First of all, some kind of waves roll in, even at night, I can’t sleep, waves of anxiety, fear, my hands go numb, some kind of internal tremor.Secondly – tachycardia (I don’t know just why), the pressure rises to 140/90. Moreover, if I sit alone, then the pressure decreases, as soon as I start to do something, the pressure rises. And I have a fear to do something, to move. Thirdly, a feeling of weakness. Yesterday I went back to donate blood from a vein, the blood did not stop for a long time, I was immediately scared, hemoglobin is low, I probably have internal bleeding due to a tumor, etc. I turned myself on again. There are no test results yet, and so I again wore myself out.I think all my weakness is due to low hemoglobin, and not from taking drugs. Again all the scary thoughts in my head. It feels like I’m even worse than before the treatment. Let me remind you that the drug is taken for three days. Can you please tell me if the treatment has been adequately prescribed, and why such symptoms when taking these funds can be and is it normal? Maybe the dosage can be increased? Elicea while I drink 1/2 tablet. Chloprotixen 1/2 2 times a day, grandaxin 1 tab 2 times a day (morning, afternoon). Sorry for the long description.And thank you in advance for your reply.

Antidepressant Pfizer Zoloft – reviews

Lydia

I never wrote reviews about pills, but I will write about these, a psychiatrist prescribed it to me, since my problem was panic attacks.
At 14:00 I drank half a tablet of the drug “Zoloft”, after 1.5 hours I was in a vigorous and energetic state, although before that I really wanted to sleep, then sleep was cut off, I was in a gorgeous mood, I was laughing, I wanted something then to do, I was like drugged.
Then it was worse, I noticed that my pupils were dilated very much, it seemed to me that my appearance was changing, I was becoming some kind of ugly, and then when I wanted to call the doctor and ask if it was normal that my pupils were dilated, and then a strange a thought in my head, my heartbeat quickens, it seems to me my body is going numb, my hands are getting cold, I felt very scared, I was never so scared, and if there were panic attacks, it was not in this form, I started calling an ambulance and running around the apartment, I wanted to run out of the house or just out the window from such a state, I wanted to call a taxi and go to the hospital myself, I didn’t know what to do, in this state I usually cry, but I couldn’t even cry, but I really wanted to …
The doctors arrived, the man told me that everything was coming out of my head, that I needed to change my thoughts, and so on, but I did not listen to him, it seemed to me that I had heart problems because of the drug, it seemed like a heart attack, a stroke….
He talked to me for a long time that I just needed to get distracted, then he told me to pour Corvalol, after Corvalol I felt better, and I went to bed afterwards.
I started this hellish state at 12 o’clock in the morning, the doctor said that these could not be pills, since they are excreted after 12 hours, I became scared again and it seemed to me that I was dying from some kind of illness ..
The next day.
I did not take these pills, I felt scared, I woke up and everything was normal, but at 15:00 my arms and legs began to go numb again, it seemed as if everything was going numb inside my body, and that I was about to fall into a coma, even now, when I write about it, my fear arises …
I also want to say that there is dry mouth, I want to drink a lot.
Sometimes my head goes numb, and it seems to me that I have problems with my head, that I have cancer.
It’s very scary.
I never wanted my previous not so strong panic attacks to return and I came to a normal life …
I understand that you can heal yourself without pills, but it is very difficult, very difficult.
Now, as I write this, I want to say that we can get out of depression on our own, we can also get away from panic attacks without pills, but there would be a desire, and change of consciousness to something else….


evgeniy

against the background of the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis, sleep was disturbed (falling asleep is good but sleep is short for only 4 hours), the neurologist prescribed zoloft 1tab a day for side effects, he was ready but not for such 16 days of taking zoloft minus 7 kg of weight (weighed 77 kg). The sleep disappeared altogether although he was covered by atarax (at the beginning 1t was enough and by the 16th day I stopped sleeping completely atarax did not help even 2t) sausage specifically. Now I am in a neurology hospital to get my sleep back. Zoloft is a very dangerous thing.


19Aliona

https://irecommend.ru/content/individualnaya-neperenosimost-7

Started taking the drug as prescribed by a doctor. Depression and panic attacks, Dosage 0.25 in the first 7 days, then increase the dose to 0.50 in the next 30 days. After taking the second pill, horrible side effects appeared. Tremor of the extremities, eyelids began to twitch, chills, sweating, nausea. Panic attacks reached their climax (such terrible ones had not happened before), obsessions and thoughts appeared in the head.The head became like a fog, the pressure on the temples. It was impossible to sit in one place, I just wanted to run out of the house and run wherever they looked. In general, all the declared assistance turned out to be a continuous hell. I had to take Xanax at a dosage of 0.50 in order to somehow recover. I read that often both drugs are prescribed in combination in order to avoid the side effects of the drug. However, is it worth giving such a load on the liver and the entire body as a whole? It’s up to everyone to decide. Perhaps for some, the drug turned out to be a real solution to the problem.One thing I can safely say, the drug has a very individual tolerance. I recommend taking it under medical supervision and in strict proportions.


Mne_nik_ne_nuzhen

https://irecommend.ru/content/reshaite-sami-prinimat-ili-net

This drug is the latest generation antidepressant.

Antidepressant, SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) Active ingredient – sertraline

Show quote

It is used for depression, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive, anxiety disorders.

Based on my experience of use, I can say the following:

1. After taking the first dose (25 or 50 mg, depending on the doctor’s recommendations), a few hours later, euphoria sets in, it becomes fun, blurred consciousness. This continues for several days. Then you don’t feel anything like that when you take it steadily every day. If you stop drinking the drug, then restart it again – the same sensations will arise.

2. Copes with anxiety, it is not possible to cry at all.Aggression also disappears, but not completely. Still, something can freak out.

3. Libido is almost zero. It is very difficult to get an orgasm, and it is not pronounced.

4. Suicidal thoughts, if any, does not remove. They just become, how to put it, calm. It seems like “I don’t see the meaning of life, but I don’t want to die either.”

5. There was no insomnia from him.

6. After the abrupt change of mood is canceled, the nervous system gradually becomes the same as it was before the use of the drug.

7. Price approximately 1200 for 28 tablets of 50 mg. Usually, 50 mg is prescribed per day. Sold by prescription. But it seems a couple of times I bought it without a prescription, when I was not with me. But this is an exception. Usually even nootropics are now sold by prescription.

8. There are cheaper generics, but I didn’t buy.

What conclusion can be drawn? Let everyone decide for himself. Plus, DON’T FORGET that daily pills affect the kidneys and liver!

I would also add about alcohol… from one glass of wine will not be anything, but if you drink enough, you will be sick (vomit). There was such an experience. And of course a double blow to the liver and kidneys 🙂 So I do not advise you to drink alcohol at all.

I tried it again

Tsipralex, the action is similar, but only he gave me a headache. But I don’t remember about Zoloft.


Olala

https://otzovik.com/review_1129550.html

Merits:

not particularly available was on sale

Disadvantages:

side effect

I don’t know how such a good doctor could prescribe these pills for me.And I had no depression whatsoever. But I trusted the doctor and started looking for this Zoloft. It was a long time ago, by the way, about five years ago, no less. Found in the pharmacy only on order, waited a long time. I drank the first pill and after I went to bed, after a while I felt strange, to put it mildly. I began to shake and pound with terrible force. There were even some kind of muscle spasms or something … I don’t know exactly spasms or not. I honestly say, I’m not lying, I thought I was going to die right that day. This state lasted for several hours and was not removed by anything, neither a corvalol, nor a shower, nor anything else I could think of.After everything was over, I felt sorry for the money spent. I read in the instructions that Zoloft is indicated for the treatment of alcoholism. I began to think about giving these pills to an alcoholic friend, but I was stopped by the thought of responsibility and what could happen to this person with these pills. I was never able to give them away. I threw it out.


Glanke

http://otzyv.expert/ne-peyte-etu-dryan-2009267

Values:

no

Disadvantages:

While taking the drug, other organs can be damaged.

Details:

The neuropsychologist prescribed Zoloft 50 mg once a day in the morning. Immediately after taking it, my legs became wadded, I wanted to lie down (This applies to everyone who drives a car – do not drink in the morning in any case!). After another half an hour, the stomach, pancreas ached, belching and nausea appeared, the intestines were swollen. The entire gastrointestinal tract could not be restored within 24 hours! Moreover, the appetite has disappeared (that’s why the instructions in the side effects – weight loss!).Restless sleep at night, headaches. The doctor answered all this – you have to get used to it, it will pass in 2 weeks. What a chemistry that takes 14 days to get used to with these symptoms! Do not drink or spoil your health!


Thintided

http://otzyv.expert/ostorozhno-1382804

Values:

no

Disadvantages:

leads to suicide

Details:

My daughter took 2 tablets of ZOLOFT, 50 mg each, and she became ill at night.They fell asleep, and in the morning she threw herself out of the window and died. I never talked about suicide. CAUTION!!!


DieAnotherDay

Insomnia !!!!!, depression, depression or, the appearance of a feeling of fear, a zombie state, nausea first

It just so happened that after breaking up with my ex, I was attacked by depression, accompanied by tearfulness, irritability, unwillingness to enjoy life, etc. The doctor attributed “zoloft”, an antidepressant or tranquilizer, which was supposed to help my psyche.So the dosage is 100 mg. per day, it was necessary to start with 50 mg, the first 10 days. Then it was supposed to increase the dose to 100 mg.

1 day of taking the drug. 16.00. I drank a pill and went to work, driving, which I later regretted three times … Although the doctor assured that the pill of “happiness” did not affect driving a vehicle. After 45-60 minutes I suddenly felt like sleeping, but so much, that the eyes were involuntarily closing. The first thought was, I didn’t get enough sleep … I stayed asleep as soon as I entered the house.I woke up a few hours later, wet from head to toe, I was shivering, my teeth were shaking a little, my heart was beating faster, although I never suffered from tachycardia.

Day 2. The feeling of fear, even in my usual environment, did not leave. Dizziness, an absolute lack of appetite, when thinking about food, a gag reflex. It is impossible to work, I constantly wanted to sleep.

Day 3. There is still no appetite. But realizing that I hadn’t eaten anything for 2 days, I decided to eat yogurt and processed cheese.Three times he (cheese) ended up somewhere in my throat ((((I didn’t try to eat anymore that day. Insomnia. Well, just fantastic. Until 6 in the morning, I didn’t fall asleep for a minute (((Feeling of fear and panic attacks) do not share.

4th day. I took a few days at my own expense, because “I am sick with a terrible disease.” I want to sleep, I count sheep and elephants, I drank green tea, a couple of drops of valerian. No sleep. Night falls, I scream at the moon, I count the stars. Sweating appears, and with it, for some reason, chills. It is insanely hot, then terrible cold, like it’s January outside.

5 day. Allergy. Redness of the cheeks, a tooth (thank God. Not strong) milli on the cheeks and on the forehead. I endure, I bought a cream for acne. Night falls, I no longer howl at the moon, but I buy “Sonex” (about it a little later ).

6th day. People around are monsters, everything is annoying, I want to kill at least someone, preferably slowly and painfully. Night. My friend is now “Sonex”)

7 day. Minus 4 pounds on the scales. Minus 4 cm in the waist and the same in the hips.

Day 8. Thanks to “Sonex” and the opportunity to at least help the body with sleep, I decide to resume training in the gym after a week’s break.Weakness, slight drowsiness. I yawn constantly, every 5-7 minutes. I crawl into the gym and lo and behold! I can do anything! I could lift the weight 10-15 kilos more than a week ago before “Zoloft”. I don’t get tired! 2 hours flew by like an instant! I lost a few sweats! The first time in a year of playing sports, I regretted it. that she did not take a hairdryer with her, since she literally squeezed her hair (long) after class.

The remaining 12 days of my torment I ate “Sonex” because of the inability to sleep without it, curds (which did not make me sick), yoghurts and water.The reason for the withdrawal is the pain in the pancreas (perhaps not due to the drug, but everything went away after the withdrawal), the milliums on the face and the allergies that made my face look like … Damn, it definitely looked like something).

My life after cancellation. After 7-10 days, pimples disappeared, sleep returned without sleeping pills on the 9th day, the feeling of fear passed on the 4-5th day, appetite returned on the 2nd day, sweating and terrible heartbeat stopped by 3-5 days.

I don’t know if the following that I’ll write can be called the advantages of the drug, but !!!: the antidepressant “Zoloft”, which with a clear conscience can be called “Depressant”, is an amazing means for losing weight.It completely kills appetite, increases endurance during physical exertion. And secondly, I forgot to think about the former, “hooked” on this permitted “LSD”. No wonder they say: if you want to forget about all your problems, buy shoes 2 sizes smaller. My “shoes” kind of did the trick.

“Zoloft” I do not recommend. Although someone is delighted with it. But who?


I had enough for 3 days of admission … tatka29

Has consulted a psychotherapist about obsessive thoughts.He assigned me Zoloft. He didn’t say anything about the side effects. Dosage 50 mg once a day. I drank the first pill and after a few hours I felt pressure in the head area, well, this is still nonsense. Further the state of a complete “brake”, I was afraid even to be on the street in such a state. The next day, a terrible anxiety began, sleeplessness at night, severe fear. I called the doctor and he said to take half a pill. And half the dose was no better. A terrible state of fear and despair.In the instructions, terrible side effects are indicated.

In general, it was enough for me for 3 days and I didn’t drink this rubbish anymore. With these pills 1000 times worse than without them. Some write that you have to endure for 1-2 weeks and everything will pass, I could not endure such a nightmare, it’s even scary to remember. I didn’t go to the doctor anymore and I don’t drink any pills.


zhenek22

Diarrhea, increased symptoms of depression

Good afternoon!

Zoloft was prescribed to me by an immunologist)) Which, of course, is very strange.The fact is that I had a difficult life situation, and after a while I started to get sick .. For a long time and for a long time, the symptoms of a cold went away, but the low-grade fever did not go away. I went to an immunologist, she ordered a bunch of tests for hidden infections and immune status, and everything was fine everywhere. Therefore, he suggested that my temperature arose simply against the background of stress .. And in order to remove this condition, he prescribed Zoloft (and a bunch of drugs, but they were just immunomodulators).

In general, I drank 1 tablet at work (he did not talk about any quarters).The first 1.5 hours everything was normal .. Then I started to slow down slowly .. Then I went to lunch with a friend, and in the cafe I started to feel really bad … And I was covered with a panic attack. I never knew WHAT IT IS! In general, I am quite a stress-resistant person, but here it happened to me !!! I ran to work, I started having diarrhea (when I get nervous, it happens to me), but this time I just fiddled in the toilet)) I had this panic: my palms were sweating, my heart thought it would jump out! In the end, I wanted to go home, but I was wildly scared)) How will I go behind the wheel! So I got drunk on glycine and sat all day in the office alone.And then, apparently, my brain remembered this state, and I began to have terrible panic attacks .. And as the psychotherapist later said, this antidepressant is quite light and not bad, but it is not prescribed at all that way! If I had drunk half of his pill and half of the Phenazepam pill, then I would not feel any effect at all, but so, yes … I, like many, at first felt worse from him. The funny thing is, okay, he would just strengthen my condition, so I never had a panic attack! And then they appeared .. After one pill, I decided to finish with antidepressants, before I could start…

In general, I will only take such drugs under the supervision of an experienced psychotherapist. If God forbid, there is a need for this. And I got rid of my panic attacks by 60% thanks to Atarax, and 40% by the fact that I went to rest in Tai)) So in any case, some pills are sometimes not enough …


HOPE

http://www.woman.ru/health/woman-health/thread/3876164/11/

my daughter took 2 tablets of Zoloft, 50 mg each and jumped out of the window – DIED !!! Be careful!!!


Dmitry

https: // www.best-antidepressanty.ru/zoloft-sertralin.php

I tried to climb the zoloft three times, but I can’t. The side effects are creepy. The first days of taking it is just hell on earth, panic intensifies, fear, nausea, fear of people. Even with my strong will, I could not wait out the side effects and left him. Together with him, I was prescribed tranquilizers to relieve the unpleasant sensations, but even with them I felt bad. But among psychotherapists, zoloft is considered a favorite drug for a prescription.probably he just didn’t suit me


Irina

https://www.otzyvua.net/zoloft-sertralin/review-209534

After taking half a pill in the morning, the day went well, but already in the afternoon, in the evening, a strong apathy began, then by the night a feeling of fear, barely fell asleep, and in the morning an attack of tachycardia and almost panic with a feeling that I was about to lose consciousness. This is such rubbish this zoloft! Then the doctor told me that he had such a side effect and that he needed to be taken for the first two weeks with a tranquilizer.People, save yourself, who can do without this chemistry !!!

yuDoReMi

https://irecommend.ru/content/spas-ot-poslerodovoi-depressii

Good afternoon, everyone. I think many of us have faced such a problem as depression. So this ailment did not pass me by either. And it all began after childbirth, the standard condition: the seam from the episio, unsuccessful cleaning, diastasis, hernia, it is not clear from where diabetes, problems with housing and money, etc.

The drug was prescribed to me by a psychotherapist, after examinations and tests.The fact that I was depressed I did not know, I just constantly had my eyes in a wet place and ate sooooo much, just pathological gluttony on the verge of bulimia. There were also some pretty strong panic attacks.

as received:

The drug was taken at 50 mg for the first week, then at 100 mg. Many patients are advised to take phenazepam in parallel to cover against side effects, I coped without it.

At the beginning of treatment, before the equilibrium concentrations of sertraline in the body are established, the state of health is disgusting, to put it mildly.The drug does not seem to help, but only aggravates the symptoms. Then everything returned to normal. Problems and difficulties became invisible, it became easier to go out, social phobia decreased.

side effects:

Were only at the beginning of the appointment. Namely diarrhea and bloating. There was no weight loss. The appetite returned to normal.

price:

I buy a drug for 1000-1100 in the Internet pharmacy pills ru. The price in pharmacies varies from 1200 to 1500 for 28 units in a dosage of 100mg.

I cannot recommend this drug, since I am not a doctor, and many nuances are important in the treatment of depression and panic attacks. But personally, I’m happy with the drug


tina7

https://otzovik.com/review_5210532.html

Merits:

drug efficacy

Disadvantages:

increases the feeling of hunger

Hello dear guests and guests of the Otzovik website.I want to share with you my impressions of taking this drug.
Before I started taking this drug, I suffered for a long time from panic attacks, fear, insomnia and, accordingly, other related sensations. Naturally, I turned to doctors specializing in this field for help, each of them prescribed all kinds of treatment, but I felt terribly bad from many drugs, or there was no reaction at all to the drug, but this drug Zoloft became my savior.Initially, I did not have a period of getting used to it, as usually happens in the first two weeks. And now, a month after taking it, when the drug had accumulated in the right amount, I began to hover like a bird, all the terrible symptoms disappeared, I felt like a full-fledged person, and now it’s been the third year since I’ve been taking it, and honestly I don’t want to quit taking it, It’s too painful for me to be calm and comfortable with him.
The only negative, as for me, is weight gain, for me it reached 20 kg in 2 years.But the drug just enhances the appetite, and what we ram about ourselves is our problem.
In my opinion, the drug is effective. But I don’t know yet, or is there an addiction to it. The doctor says no, but it should be canceled according to the scheme.
I wish you all good health and longevity.
thank you for your attention


Yuriy

Отзывы о препарате Золофт врачей и пациентов, его принимавших

“Good antidepressant.The only thing to pay attention to is the duration of the reception. If you do not go through the course to the end, and then try to repeat the treatment, the drug may not work. Gold basically eliminates obsessive states and panics, makes the brain work in the right direction, which will allow you to take your thoughts in order. ”


Ekaterina

https://lekotzyvy.com/preparat/z/zoloft/

Mild antidepressant

Benefits: Handles problem

well

Disadvantages: high price, side effects

In general, since childhood I am afraid to ride in an elevator, I have a fear of an enclosed space.But I never went to doctors with this problem until this terrible incident happened. I myself am a physician and have attended advanced training courses. And so a group of nurses and I got into the hospital elevator, although I didn’t want to go because of my phobia, and it fell. What was going on there is beyond words, since we all remained alive, and even in the hospital, there is no need to go far for help. That’s when I told the doctor everything, he prescribed me Zoloft tablets, ordered me to drink for a long time for three months. First, for the first two weeks, I drank half a pill, then a whole one.The first days, a week, I did not feel anything, I just soothed myself that I was drinking an antidepressant. And then my condition began to stabilize, anxiety disappeared, delusional thoughts disappeared from my head. Has become an adequate person.

Khadija

I have a story like this. Intracranial pressure, vasoconstriction and some other clever words in the conclusion of the EEG. After a couple of traumatic brain injuries, after a long state of stress and depression, I suddenly felt bad. Swelling of the throat, terrible shortness of breath, panic attacks, fear of death from suffocation.Saturday evening, the whole city traveled around and found barely a neuropathologist. Without any papers, he did not make a diagnosis, wrote off stress and panic attacks for depression, prescribed zoloft. I read it on the Internet, it has a cumulative effect, honestly I am a little confused how pills with a cumulative effect can act so quickly, unless of course there are side effects. At first I did not take it, but after another stress there was such a state that many here describe, hands, head, tongue, throat went numb, shortness of breath was strong, I thought everything was a stroke! Spasm of the left hand, stabbing at the heart.Staggering, stuffiness in the ears and a sound, a squeak as if it were. Everything floated around. I drank valimidine, asked me to massage on my neck, so that the blood would flow more actively to the brain. I do not give in to panic, I go from corner to corner, I go out for a walk, I try to distract myself, I understand that if I succumb to panic, it will be worse. After that I immediately bought Zoloft. After the reception there was a feeling of joy, there was energy, I started doing chores around the house, and more often to play with my kids. Two weeks later, even earlier, a feeling of calmness, I do not worry about trifles, there is drowsiness, but I became calmer.They prescribed one pill for 60 days to drink, now the neurologist said that the nervous system is so exhausted that it is necessary to take strong medications that for 10 days I will lie like a vegetable with apathy to everything. While I am not doing treatment, the children are small, the youngest is 6 months old, on the guards. Leave no one with, and without a breast will torment and torment others. I decided to drink Zoloft for now and slowly wean it off. And so, some side effects are not felt, maybe it is too strong for such diseases as VSD, etc.


Valentine

https: // lekotzyvy.com / preparat / z / zoloft /

Gives hope for a happy future

Advantages: effective !!!

Disadvantages: did not notice

Zoloft began to take after consultation with a neurologist. Before that, they were diagnosed with agarophobia and panic attacks. He took antidepressants and tranquilizers. Passed the drug route valerian-corvalol-phenazepam-afobazol-grandaxin-paxil. I know what the cancellation effect is. In general, I was skeptical about Zoloft, but I had phenazepam as a safety net and 10 days to get used to the new drug.Of course, I did not leave the house during this period. He started with an octopus of pills, increasing the dose every 5 days by 18 parts. The fears did not go away, but there was no panic. Zoloft is better tolerated than the previous drug. And Zoloft has a cumulative effect. It took me about 40 days to start smiling again and be like everyone else. The course of treatment was 6 months. Then, gradually, the dose of the drug was reduced and the moment came when he stopped drinking … and the panic did not return. The headaches remain, but I can bear them easier.The drug gave me back the joy of life and hope that everything can be very


Barty

https://irecommend.ru/content/kak-snova-nachat-radovatsya-zhizni

I had my first depression at the age of 13, then at 17 with insomnia, and two more happened while I was living alone abroad. It should be noted that the latter was the strongest. Violent sweating with social phobia and terrible apathy. A constant feeling of the unreal. Nothing brought joy. But now everything is different.Lifestyle change and Zoloft helped me. I must say right away that now the depression is completely gone. And I don’t drink Zoloft anymore. In this case, the recommendation is a bit silly. If your psychotherapist has prescribed it for you, then you need to drink it. Of the dangers: be sure to gently lower the dose after the course of treatment, the withdrawal syndrome will nullify everything

+ Quality, minimum side effects, efficiency and availability

– Decreased libido and unpleasant withdrawal syndrome

Drink it and do not be afraid of anything


Evgeshuchka

https: // irecommend.ru / content / moi-realnyi-opyt

Hello. I read not very positive reviews about Zoloft and was a little surprised.

Zoloft was prescribed to me by a psychotherapist for my complaints about the fear of spending the night alone in the apartment, fear of the dark and similar fears. At first I drank half a pill, then the dose was increased to 1 pill a day (half in the morning, half in the evening). The first thing I noticed was that fears really go away. It was a pleasant surprise, and in general, there is a feeling that the psyche has become healthy and normal.A very pleasant side effect for me was a decrease in appetite. I almost didn’t feel like eating, so I lost weight without any effort. The psychotherapist said that when Zoloft is canceled, my appetite will return to me and the weight will return, but not roll over to the original one. And so it happened. With the withdrawal, the appetite increased and the weight returned. I didn’t have any negative side effects, and I’ll tell you a secret: my friends who drank Zoloft also had a decrease in appetite! Good remedy!


dornroschen

https: // otzovik.com / review_3586170.html

Merits:

is effective, does not cause drowsiness, does not inhibit, the consciousness remains clear. I did not experience any side effects. No addiction.

Disadvantages:

for me they are not

For the first time I got acquainted with ZOLOFT back in 1997. The drug is used mainly for the treatment of depression and panic attacks.
Packages are 50 mg and 100 mg.I always take 50 mg.
It had just appeared on the Russian market at that time. Well, our doctors love to prescribe the latest drugs. So I became, one might say, a guinea pig on which this drug was tested).
True, I am not even mad at the doctor, I am even grateful to him, since ZOLOFT has become my faithful friend for many years. Helped me in different periods of time and for different diseases. I drank it with significant interruptions, but to this day, if I need medication, I resort to ZOLOFT.I am now singing an ode to this drug, however, I DO NOT RECOMMEND, BEGINNING MY words of praise to ZOLOFT’S ADDRESS, run to the pharmacy and self-medicate. All the drugs I tried were prescribed by the doctor! And watched my reaction!
The tablet is tiny – no problem with swallowing. Signed. Unfortunately, it is not visible in the photo, but there is an inscription. If it falls out of the package, you will always know what the pill is.
ZOLOFT helped me significantly (70-90 percent). I think this is a wonderful result, since NO OTHER medicine has worked for me (and I have tried a lot).HIDDEN ANYONE caused absolutely NO KIDNEYS.
I will list the PROS of this drug:
+ EFFICIENCY (as I said, 70-90% of the problem goes away). Suppresses phobias, improves mood. There is a desire to live.
+ LACK OF SIDES (here everything is individual. In general, the drug is tolerated perfectly. Usually. But there are exceptions to any rule. Organisms are different for everyone. Some have side effects. Honestly, in real life I don’t know a single such person, but judging by the reviews in Internet, sometimes)
+ NO SLEEPY AND INHIBITION.A very important factor. Absolutely does not inhibit the reaction. I don’t want to sleep. With Zoloft, you can drive a car absolutely calmly!
+ DO NOT RECOVER FROM THE PREPARATION !!! This is a very important advantage. It’s no secret that many antidepressants make you swell by leaps and bounds! So with Zoloft, I even dropped a couple of kilograms, because I stopped seizing my sorrows)
+ DOES NOT CAUSE ADDICTIONS Years without the drug are quite easy to live. Hands do not reach, shaking, to the package in order to get the coveted pill from there and drink.
+ DRINK ONLY 1 TABLET PER DAY, in the morning and is forgotten until the next morning. Conveniently.
I don’t see the MINUSES in the medicine. You could name the price. But if you consider that the package is enough for almost a month (there are 28 tablets), then it is not particularly expensive. I’ll make a reservation that I buy only the PFIZER manufacturer! Previously, only they produced ZOLOFT. Now Haupt Pharma Latina is also being produced. I do not know anything about this Zoloft. And it is half the price, although it is also Italy.
Well, and also, HALF MINUS: Zoloft does not start to act immediately, it should accumulate in the body.The first effect appears about a week after 2. It starts to work at maximum strength after 2-3 months of admission. Well, you need to drink it for a long time.
And one more thing scares me: Zoloft IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH ETHANOL, that is, with alcohol. But it’s not the fact that I don’t drink in the company (I don’t drink at all), but the fact that no alcohol-containing medications can be taken!
My EXPERIENCE: I have used it in different years. First, from a depressive state. Later from panic attacks.
From DEPRESSION: I drank a whole tablet at once from the first use. In general, I am a terrible pessimist and crybaby. My face was dry on the second day of admission. And every day it became easier and easier.
Gradually, you begin to think like an absolutely adequate person: you do not grind your own and other people’s actions in your head, you stop being offended, taking everything at your own expense. Thoughts are more and more bright. Strengths appear, I want to do something, to do something (the state leaves I do not want anything).You breathe deeply and feel like a living person, not a weak-willed creature. In general, as if some kind of switch in the head is triggered, something flips in the brain. From a depressive state, perhaps 90-95% helps.
FROM PANIC ATTACKS: I start drinking half a tablet of 50 mg, that is, 25 mg (so that the already strong manifestations of this terrible thing do not intensify). 1/2 tablet is drunk for a week. Then whole.
If you suddenly start to pound, then you have gone too far with the primary dose (I read once that a person became ill from the very first pill).And the pounding is not from the pill, but from the fact that it has not yet begun its action! Even the instructions say that in case of panic disorder, you need to start with half the dose.
Zoloft helps me from panic by 70-80 percent. Attacks become much more rare and less intense. And if they do, I can handle them.
Summing up, I can say: the creators of ZOLOFT need to erect a monument during their lifetime!
For myself, I have not found any other drug that would be so effective and at the same time did not cause side effects! Definitely, I RECOMMEND ZOLOFT for the treatment of depression and panic attacks.Yes, there are

newer and more advanced PAXIL preparations, for example, but from him completely different sensations, which I will write about a little later!
If someone is interested in this drug, and you want to discuss it with your doctor, then here are detailed instructions for using the drug ZOLOFT in order to have an idea of ​​this remedy:
to enlarge the text, just click on the photo and it will enlarge.


Trumbluncien

Values:

Effect is

Disadvantages:

No

Details:

The drug helps to restrain aggression, excessive emotionality, soothes.But the result is not as fast as you want. I noticed changes around 1.5 weeks. But thanks for that too. Saw zoloft, as prescribed by a doctor, together with atarax, there is an effect and this is the main thing. But from the pills, I decided to still jump to chamomile tea and soothing herbs. From them, the effect is literally 30-40 minutes faster, and does not harm health. After all, any intervention in the body with pills is not very good.


Anonymous

Отзывы о препарате Золофт врачей и пациентов, его принимавших

“A very good drug that helped me cope with the pressure caused by personal problems in the family and long-term use of drugs. It took him for 1.5 years, during this time to learn how to cope with panic attacks, to cope with the difficulties that arise in life, to overcome Prepaid literally my life. ”

Zoloft – Sleep disorders – 12/14/2013

anonymous

Good afternoon! I had trouble sleeping, sometimes I woke up, but I couldn’t move, sometimes I thought I was awake, but in fact I didn’t.it got to the point that when I woke up, I walked around the apartment and tried all the objects by touch to make sure that I was not sleeping. Of course, this did not pass without a trace, I became very nervous and irritable, and my head began to hurt more often. I turned to a neurologist, explained the situation, emphasized that I had vegetative-vascular dystonia for 10 years (I’m 22), I had more than one concussion, that I have been observed by a neurologist since childhood (in childhood up to 3 years old I walked only on socks, periodically I was afraid to sleep alone, because as now, there were nightmares that were difficult to distinguish from reality, for example, in a dream, someone would grab me by the hand, and when I wake up, I cannot move for another 5 seconds, and my hand hurts.And no matter how I reassure myself that this is a dream, it’s still scary). The doctor, to be honest, took me backhand, namely, when I tried to tell my problems, he constantly interrupted, and after a couple of minutes, without any examinations, he appointed me Zoloft. I heard about side effects, so I tried to ask if the drug was right for me, because about 4 years ago I did a head examination, and they told me that there were some bad changes and needed to be checked more often. But the doctor interrupted me again, said, literally “take some pills, and in two months you will be like a cucumber.”I started taking Zoloft. The first week it was terrible, my head was very dizzy, coordination was disturbed, my legs and arms were shaking, my jaw seemed to be stiff, it was difficult to speak, at night, even if it was not hot, I began to sweat a lot, I wake up in the morning, and my laundry – at least squeeze. then it got better. There was only perspiration at night and tremors of the hands, and quite strong. I drank the pills for 2 months, as it was prescribed, I finished taking it a week ago. I want to note that the drug helped, I began to sleep well, and my mood became better, I am less obsessed with problems.But for a whole week I have been VERY dizzy, it is difficult for me to maintain balance, I am shaking all over inside, and the other day at work it has darkened in my eyes, I almost fainted. This is despite the fact that in my life I just never fainted, only one single time, when I donated blood as a donor, apparently for me half a liter turned out to be a lot))) It worries me, because this state lasts a week, and I do not feel any improvements. Doctor, tell me, is this a normal reaction to refusal from the drug, or is it better to get tested?

Bipolar fashion.Doctor on why you shouldn’t “diagnose” yourself with bipolar disorder | HEALTH

It is believed that Beethoven, Van Gogh, Napoleon and Elvis Presley suffered from bipolar disorder, followed by Britney Spears, Drew Barrymore, Mel Gibson, Jim Carrey … glorified disorder in the song “Bipolar” in 2017. At some point, the disease became popular. Many ordinary “middle managers” suddenly began to complain about unreasonable emotional swings, justifying their own reckless actions or spontaneous binges.As a result, it became fashionable to attribute all rash decisions or simply a bad mood to the diagnosis. Psychologist Anna Zolotay told AiF-Yug about what bipolar disorder really is and how dangerous it is.

Mania: increased mood, energy, hyperactivity, fast speech, grandiose ideas, delusions of grandeur, sleep disturbance, hypersexuality, spending large sums of money, lack of self-criticism, aggressiveness, irritability. Depression: low mood, guilt, suicidal thoughts and plans, loss of energy, fatigue, loss of interest in activities that you previously liked (anhedonia), inhibition of thinking, speech, movements, exacerbation of health problems.

Can you benefit?

“In fact, the problem really exists, bipolar disorder is relevant to today’s rhythm of life,” says Anna Zolotay. – Not on such a scale, of course: often, for one reason or another, people diagnose it themselves. The disease makes a person unhappy, but also unusual, creative, energetic. Therefore, they do not hesitate to talk about her, sometimes she is even taken for dignity. Unfortunately, many people today believe that bipolar disorder with long periods of complete recovery between manic and depressive phases does not interfere with living in society.And, on the contrary, they try to benefit from the hyperactive period.

Let me explain why. The patient with the disease maneuvers between two phases: manic and depressive. The manic phase is a time when a lot of new ideas and thoughts arise, a person becomes sociable, active, intellectual capabilities increase, it becomes easier for him to make decisions. True, all this is accompanied by sleep deprivation (reduction or complete sleep deprivation – ed.). There are so many thoughts that they often become confused, speech is confused, actions are impulsive and illogical.But, as a rule, in this state, people like others, it seems to him that everything revolves around him. Self-esteem is off the charts. It is believed that in this phase, a person’s efficiency is higher; he can move mountains, trying to achieve what he wants. The condition is similar to mild drug intoxication. For example, this is similar to the popular microdosing of cocaine that became popular at the same time.

In this case, the depressive state manifests itself in uncontrollable attacks of fear, a feeling of hopelessness, rejection from loved ones, and people in general, constant anxiety, unreasonable guilt, increased or decreased appetite and, again, sleep disturbance.Hallucinations, fear of persecution, mystical visions may appear. At such moments, the patient is dangerous to himself and can make decisions that put his life at risk.

There are many talented people with bipolar disorder, but scientists have not been able to find a causal relationship between creative pursuits and bipolar disorder.

But all of these symptoms appear to varying degrees, depending on many factors. According to the expert, the disorder is divided into several types.With BAD of the first type, the manic period lasts from seven or more days. At the same time, the condition is so serious that hospitalization is needed. The depressive phase lasts at least two weeks. In the second type, people experience depressive episodes along with episodes of hypomania (a lighter version of mania). The third type is associated with cyclothymia, a less severe form. This is hypomania and mild depression, which alternate with asymptomatic periods for a couple of years. Finally, conditions with similar symptoms that do not fall into either group may be referred to as “nonspecific bipolar disorders.”

It’s not really cool

“I have a second type of bipolar disorder, periods of hypomania are replaced by mild depression,” says Maria Petrova from Krasnodar (name has been changed). – During the “fun” phase, I become omnipotent, fearless, self-confident, fast, beautiful, sociable. It is as if you are under a psychoactive substance, when there is a huge release of neurotransmitters.

That is, absolutely stupid ideas do not arise at such moments, and they do not take me to psychiatry.But I can easily get carried away by something completely unusual for me. For example, hitting a religion or digging into reading about metaphysics. I am ready to jump with a parachute or become a volunteer in the “Baby House”. Shave your head, buy a chest of drawers from the 18th century, which has nowhere to put. It is disgusting to remember dubious and too daring entertainments later. And then depression comes. I cannot sleep, eat, work, live. Pills help. ”

“Disease can cause injury and stress, and heredity, diet, infection and environmental stress also play a role.Much depends on the individual qualities of a person, – explains the psychologist. – It is the ability to control your own thoughts, emotions, behavior and communication with others. Social, cultural, political and environmental factors are also important, such as politics, social protection, living standards, working conditions and the support of others.

Today, there is a large gap worldwide between the need for treatment and the care provided for mental disorders. Low- and middle-income people rarely receive treatment at all.And well-to-do citizens often turn a blind eye to such problems. ”

But the doctor advises not to panic if your mood often changes, because such changes in themselves do not mean that a person has bipolar disorder – this symptom is always accompanied by other signs, so it is better to consult a specialist.

“BD currently affects 60 million people worldwide,” the press office of the World Health Organization said. – It is characterized by an alternation of manic and depressive episodes with periods of normal life.Patients with manic episodes but no depression are also diagnosed with bipolar disorder. There are effective treatments for acute symptoms and relapse prevention. These are mainly mood-stabilizing drugs. Psychosocial support is also an important element of treatment. Unfortunately, the number of people with mental health problems continues to grow. This has a tangible impact on the health care system and entails serious consequences for the economy and social sphere in general. “

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