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How should you take this medication?
Zoloft comes as a tablet and concentrate to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask you
r doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Zoloft exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Continu
e to take Zoloft even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Zoloft without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease y
our dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.
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Precautions Before Using This Medicine
Pregnancy¡XOne study looked at the babies of 147 women who took Zoloft either at the beginning of pregnancy or through the entire pregnancy. This study found no harmful effects of Zoloft on the babies
However, more study is needed to be sure that Zoloft is safe to use during pregnancy. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
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Side Effects
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- Decreased sexual desire or ability
- Breast tenderness or enlargement; fast or irregular h
eartbeat; fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are out of control; fever ; inability to sit still; low blood sodium (confusion, convulsions [seizures], drowsiness, dryness of mouth, i
ncreased thirst, lack of energy); nose bleeds ; red or purple spots on skin; restlessness; serotonin syndrome (diarrhea, fever, increased sweating, mood or behavior changes, overactive reflexes, r
acing heartbeat, restlessness, shivering or shaking); skin rash, hives, or itching; unusual or sudden body or facial movements or postures;
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Management of Overdoses:
Establish and maintain an airway, insure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Activated charcoal, which may be used with sorbitol, may be as or more effective than emesis or lavage, and should be con
sidered in treating overdose.
Cardiac and vital signs monitoring are recommended along with general symptomatic and supportive measures.
There are no specific antidotes for sertral
ine.
Due to the large volume of distribution of sertraline, forced diuresis, dialysis, hemoperfusion, and exchange transfusion are unlikely to be of benefit.
In managing overdose,
the possibility of multiple drug involvement must be considered.
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Adverse Effects
Disorders of Skin and Appendages: - Infrequent: Acne, alopecia, pruritus, erythematous rash, maculopapular rash, dry skin. Rare: Bullous eruption, dermatitis, erythema multiforme, abnormal hair textur
e, hypertrichosis, photosensitivity reaction, follicular rash, skin discoloration, abnormal skin odor, urticaria.
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What is this Drug
Zoloft is prescribed for major depressive disorder¡Xa persistently low mood that interferes with everyday living. Symptoms may include loss of interest in your usual activities, disturbed sleep, chang
in appetite, constant fidgeting or lethargic movement, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.
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