What are the long term side effects of taking sertraline?
Antidepressants like Zoloft can cause side effects such as weight gain, emotional numbness, and sexual problems over time. Never stop taking antidepressants suddenly; always consult your doctor for guidance. You’ll need to try different medications to find one that works well for you and is tolerable. After stopping sertraline, wait 7 to 13 days before starting moclobemide. The manufacturer advises a 7 day washout period but 13 days may be considered to account for the long half-life of sertraline’s active metabolite. Clinicians should decide the duration of the washout period on a case-by-case basis.Some of the most common Zoloft alternatives include: SSRIs: Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa. SNRIs: Effexor XR, Pristiq, Cymbalta. Atypical antidepressants: Remeron, Wellbutrin, Trazodone, Trintellix.Zoloft (sertraline) withdrawal symptoms typically last up to 1 to 2 weeks, but may last even longer in some people. You should avoid abruptly stopping sertraline treatment unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider.Yes, Zoloft can make anxiety worse at first, but the effects are usually temporary. A 2017 study found that about one in four people started on an antidepressant for either anxiety or depression experienced worsened anxiety in the first six weeks. The risk was higher for people taking a higher antidepressant dosage.
Do you go back to normal after sertraline?
If you stop taking sertraline too quickly, your symptoms might come back when they wouldn’t have done if you had stopped more slowly. You have a lot to lose by doing it too quickly so best not to rush it if possible. You could also get some withdrawal symptoms (see overleaf or the PILL for sertraline). Some side effects may occur when you first start taking sertraline or when your dose is increased. These typically improve after the first few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication.If you are prescribed sertraline for anxiety or obsessional-compulsive disorder (OCD), it is recommended that you take sertraline for at least one year after you feel well again. Research has shown that stopping it sooner, or immediately after you start to feel better, increases the risk of your symptoms returning.It usually takes about 2 weeks for sertraline to begin working, but sometimes longer. After around a week, sertraline levels will start to build up in your body. It takes a few more weeks for your body to get used to sertraline. Do not stop taking sertraline after a week or two because you feel it is not helping.The FDA label for sertraline specifically acknowledges that the medication may cause difficulty concentrating, memory changes, and confusion as potential side effects. These symptoms can occur at therapeutic doses and may persist throughout treatment for some individuals.
How long will I feel anxious on sertraline?
Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant and a first-choice medication for some types of anxiety. Some people start to feel better in the first couple of weeks, but it can take up to six weeks to get the full benefits of the medication. Examples of sertraline interactions include other antidepressants, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), and alcohol. It also interacts with blood thinners, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and medications that can affect heart rhythm.Sertraline (Zoloft) is an antidepressant that can cause various side effects, such as nausea, dry mouth, and diarrhea. Sleep changes are also possible. These side effects often improve after you’ve been taking sertraline for a few weeks. Other sertraline side effects include weight changes and sexual side effects.Sertraline works by increasing the levels of serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a mood-enhancing chemical in your brain. The medicine does not change your personality or make you feel intensely happy. It improves your mood so you feel better.Some cases have been life threatening. SSRI antidepressants including sertraline may be associated with low bone mineral density (a measure of bone strength) and an increased risk of fractures (bone breaks). This risk may be higher in older adults and with long-term use of the medication.Summary. The combination of sertraline (an SSRI) and amitriptyline (a tricyclic antidepressant) can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome and may affect amitriptyline metabolism. This interaction requires careful monitoring and potential dose adjustments when used together.
What drugs should not be taken with sertraline?
Sertraline may increase your risk for bleeding problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you or your child are also using other medicines that thin the blood, including NSAIDs (eg, aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Voltaren®) or warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®). Stopping sertraline too quickly can lead to withdrawal symptoms like nausea, insomnia, and agitation. Withdrawal can start within a few days of your last dose and last several weeks. Work with your doctor to gradually taper your dose to reduce the impact of withdrawal symptoms.How long you will need to take sertraline. Once you feel better you will probably continue to take sertraline for several more months. Most doctors recommend that you take antidepressants for 6 months to a year after you no longer feel depressed. If you stop too soon, depression can come back.Missing doses of sertraline may increase your risk for relapse in your symptoms. Stopping sertraline abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, feeling dizzy, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin).Sertraline requires special attention to the risks associated with neurologic, psychiatric, and congenital disorders in clinical use. In addition to common AEs such as nausea, and tremor, newly identified adverse reactions such as genital anaesthesia, bruxism, and microscopic colitis should be guarded against.
When is the best time to take sertraline for sleep?
Typically, your doctor will recommend that you take your prescribed dose of sertraline once a day, either in the morning or evening. If sertraline makes you drowsy, your doctor may suggest that you take it at bedtime. It’s important to be consistent when and how you take the medication. You can feel drowsy in the first few days of taking sertraline. This should get better after the first week or two.