What does zoloft do for u

These symptoms are more severe than those of premenstrual syndrome PMS. Panic Disorder occurs when a person experiences unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear. These episodes have physical symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and nausea. Fear of future episodes is also part of panic disorder. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD occurs when a person experiences the following symptoms at the same time:.

Symptoms include:. They should be clear about the limits of the research around that medication and if there are any other options. Do not stop taking sertraline, even when you feel better. With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine. Depression is also a part of bipolar illness. People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants may be at risk for "switching" from depression into mania.

Symptoms of mania include "high" or irritable mood, very high self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, frequently involved in activities with a large risk for bad consequences for example, excessive buying sprees. Medical attention should be sought if serotonin syndrome is suspected. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider to best manage your medications.

People living with MDD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. Untreated MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. For women who take antidepressant medications during weeks 13 through the end of their pregnancy second and third trimesters , there is a risk that the baby can be born before it is fully developed before 37 weeks.

This is a potentially fatal condition that is associated with use of the antidepressant in the second half of pregnancy. However, women who discontinued antidepressant therapy were five times more likely to have a depression relapse than those who continued their antidepressant.

If you are pregnant, please discuss the risks and benefits of antidepressant use with your health care provider. Typically patients begin at a low dose of medicine and the dose is increased slowly over several weeks. The dose usually ranges from 50 mg to mg. Only your health care provider can determine the correct dose for you.

If you are taking it for PMDD, sertraline can be taken once daily everyday or intermittently usually starting 14 days prior to menstruation through the first full day of menses of each cycle. The liquid should be measured with an oral syringe or dropper which you can get from your pharmacy. It should not be mixed in advance.

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.

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. Nobody is perfect, and missing a dose of Zoloft is bound to happen at one point or another. 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.

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.

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. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once.

This could result in dangerous side effects. How to tell if the drug is working: You will know that this drug is working if you notice that your depression symptoms are less severe or happen less often. This may take up to 4 weeks. Continue to take it as your doctor told you. A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Your doctor will monitor you for certain health issues. This is done to make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. Your doctor will check:.

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

SSRIs are a type of antidepressant medication. Learn about these commonly prescribed drugs, including side effects, how they work, and examples. Lexapro and Zoloft are two of the many drugs available for depression, anxiety, and other conditions. Prozac and Zoloft are drugs used to treat depression and other conditions. Sertraline Zoloft is often used to treat bipolar disorder. We'll explain more about common and rare side effects of this popular antidepressant.

Sexual side effects, like erectile dysfunction, are common complaints of taking antidepressants. Most prescription antidepressants are part of a drug…. Keep reading to learn more about ED and Zoloft. Watching a friend live with depression can be painful, but there are ways to help.

Learn what to do, avoid, and how to recognize the signs of suicidal…. People who experience anhedonia have a decreased ability to feel pleasure. Learn causes, risk factors, and treatments for anhedonia.

A SAD lamp can help alleviate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. If you experience any of these, contact your doctor right away.

A "black-box warning" refers to a serious notice made by the FDA about a medication. The black-box warning for Zoloft indicates it may cause or increase thoughts of suicide in children and young adults. Monitor your loved one, or yourself if you're in this age group, for any signs of such thoughts, and seek help immediately if they occur.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Taking Zoloft may put you at risk for a rare, possibly life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This risk is higher if you are also taking other serotonin-related medications like triptans a common migraine medication , tricyclic antidepressants, or the pain medication Ultram tramadol.

But the syndrome can occur when taking Zoloft alone, as well. Signs and symptoms of this condition include:. To be proactive in avoiding this rare syndrome, be sure to tell your doctor all the medications you are taking, including any over-the-counter drugs or supplements. There is an increased chance of bleeding when taking Zoloft along with medications that block platelets or medications that thin your blood. Notify your doctor right away of any bleeding events, like nosebleeds or increased bruising.

Seek medical attention immediately if you notice more serious bleeding events, such as blood in your stool. Zoloft can trigger a hypomanic or manic episode in a person with bipolar disorder. Before taking Zoloft, tell your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed or suspected of having bipolar disorder, or have a family history of it.

In severe cases, hyponatremia can lead to seizures and other serious neurologic and medical issues. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia include:. While not common, if you take Zoloft and develop signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction like rash, hives, swelling, or problems breathing, contact your doctor right away. You should inform your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Zoloft or are planning a pregnancy. Zoloft use in the third trimester may increase a baby's chance of developing complications like a rare condition known as persistent pulmonary hypertension, which can cause breathing problems.

In addition, third-trimester use of Zoloft may cause neonatal withdrawal symptoms. However, some women may need to continue taking Zoloft during pregnancy because the benefit of treating their illness outweighs the potential risks. Overall, this decision requires a careful and thoughtful discussion with both an obstetrician and mental health professional.

Low levels of Zoloft may be present in breast milk, so lactating parents should consult with their doctors before nursing while taking this medication. Breastfeeding is typically encouraged unless there is a medical reason for the parent to avoid breastfeeding.

Try to take your Zoloft at the same time every day. Setting a timer on your phone may be helpful so you don't forget.