Can Zoloft Treat Your Anxiety?

Zoloft is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of drugs which are known as SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It works by affecting the unbalanced chemicals in the brain in people with:

• anxiety;
• depression;
• OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder;
• PTSD or post-traumatic disorder;
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

This medication is known to improve your energy level, sleep, and appetite. It restores your interest in daily living. It helps in decreasing fear, unwanted thoughts as well as panic attacks.

How do you use Zoloft for treating depression?

The first and foremost thing that you should do while taking the drug is to read the instruction that has been provided on the label or by the doctor that you are consulting. You should follow this instruction even when you are going to get a refill.

The medication for treating depression has to be taken by the mouth according to the directions of the doctor. It is taken once every day. You can do so in the morning or during the evening. The tablet form of this drug can be consumed with or without food. However, the capsule of this drug is generally taken with food like after breakfast or after the evening meal.

In case, you are using this medication for your premenstrual problems, the doctor might recommend you to take this drug every day for about two weeks before the period starts or for an entire month.

The dosage of the medication that is prescribed to you is based on the response that you have towards the treatment and also your medical condition. For reducing the risk of the side effects, the doctor might advise you to start off by taking a low dose of the medication. They then gradually increase your dose. To get the maximum benefit out of the medicine, it has to be taken on a daily basis.

It is important to continue taking the medicine even if you start feeling well. It should not be stopped without the doctor’s recommendation. The conditions might become worse if you stop taking the drug for treating depression on a sudden basis. Also, when you suddenly stop taking the drug, it will cause:

• sleep changes;
• headache;
• tiredness;
• mood swings;
• brief feeling like that of an electric shock.

Drug interactions

Drug interaction might have an effect on the way in which the drug is working on your mental condition. In fact, it might also increase the risk of side effects. This is the reason you need to keep a list of the medicine that you are taking and then show it to your doctor. Do not change the dosage of the medication without the recommendation of the doctor.

Pimozide interacts with the drug to cause bruising and bleeding. Also, taking MAO inhibitors might lead to serious drug interactions. Do not take MAO inhibitors two weeks before or after taking Zoloft. Talk to your doctor regarding when you will have to stop taking the medication.

Also taking other drugs that are increasing serotonin will react with Zoloft. Avoid taking alcohol when you are taking this drug.