Zoloft (Sertraline)

Zoloft is used for depression treatment, panic disturbance; obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disturbance (PTSD) at adult patients. Zoloft is also used for treatment OCD at children (6-12 years) and teenagers (12-17 years).

Zoloft is taken perorally once a day with meal or without. Take Zoloft as directed by the doctor, strictly keep a dosage. Take Zoloft even if you have felt better in some days. Do not stop to take Zoloft without consultation of your attending physician. The termination of reception of a drug should be carried out gradually, your doctor will reduce a dosage step-by-step. For positive achievement in treatment the drug needs to be taken regularly during several weeks.

Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Its analogues are Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Celexa (citalopram) and Luvox (fluvoxamine). Selective serotonin inhibitors are blocking reuptake of a serotonin and changing serotonin level in a brain. Some illnesses, such as depression, can be caused by disturbance in balance between a serotonin and others neurotransmitters. Zoloft recovers this balance between neurotransmitters in a brain.

It is recommended to take Zoloft regularly every day at the same time. If you have forgotten to take a drug make it as soon as possible, but do not take a double dose to compensate the missed.

It is necessary to store Zoloft at temperature of 25 degrees C (77 degrees by Farenheit) in protected from a moisture and high temperature place, out of reach of children.

Before the intake beginning of Zoloft consult with the attending physician if you have a liver disease; illness of kidneys; you had seizures; manias or you have suicidal thoughts. In that case the doctor can forbid reception of Zoloft or adjust the dosage, control can be necessary during treatment. During pregnancy or breast-feeding do not take Zoloft without preliminarily consultation of the treating doctor.

Immediately look for medical aid and stop taking of Zoloft in case you undergo any of the listed serious side effects: strong allergic responses; an arrhythmia; lowered or high blood pressure; a fever.

If the following insignificant side effects are observed - continue intake of Zoloft and consult with the treating doctor:

• Headache;
• Cramps, raised nervousness, anxiety;
• Nausea, diarrhea, dryness in a mouth, changes in appetite or weight;
• The raised sleepiness or sleeplessness;
• The reduced sex appetence, sexual powerlessness, or difficulty in orgasm achievement.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Zoloft.