Zoloft (sertraline) belongs to the SSRI group of antidepressants. As well as depression, it is also prescribed to treat panic and anxiety disorders, and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
Directions
For depression and obsessive compulsive disorder the usual starting dose for Zoloft is one 50mg tablet each day. Your doctor will increase this as appropriate. The maximum recommended dose of Zoloft is 200mg/day.
Side-effects
The side-effects of Zoloft include dry mouth, drowsiness, sweating, blurred vision and constipation, although most of these should diminish over time. You may experience some nausea and dizziness when you first start taking it, however these usually dissappear in a week or two.
A lowered sex drive is also a common side effect of this, as with most antidepressants.
A small proportion of people have found that coming off Zoloft can have flu-like sypmtoms such as headaches, runny nose, congestion and coughing.
If you experience any unusual symptoms or are concerned about side effects in anyway, it is important that you discuss this with your doctor or consult a pharmacist for advice. Usually these will not be anything to worry about, but best to be sure.
Warnings
Zoloft should not be taken while taking any other antidepressant, particularly an MAOI.
Don't stop taking Zoloft or change the dose without checking with your doctor first. It is important that you let your doctor know about any other medication you are taking, or condition you may have, so that they can consider this when prescribing antidepressants for you.
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