Learning Zoloft.

Zoloft: uses

Zoloft is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder ( social phobia ) , and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome ( premenstrual dysphoric disorder ) . It's known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ( SSRI ) .

Zoloft may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and number of panic attacks. It may also reduce urge to perform repeated tasks ( compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking ) that interfere with daily living. This medication works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural chemicals ( neurotransmitters such as serotonin ) in brain.

Zoloft: how to use

Read Medication Guide ( US ) or Patient Information Leaflet ( Canada ) available from your pharmacist before we start using Zoloft and each time we get a refill. If we have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

This liquid medication must be mixed with another fluid before use. Remove prescribed amount of liquid medication from the bottle with the dropper provided. Mix medication with half a cup ( 4 ounces or 120 milliliters ) of water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice. Don't use any other fluid for mixing Zoloft. The mixture may appear cloudy. This is normal and harmless.

Mix each dose just before taking it. Do not prepare a supply for future use.

Take Zoloft/liquid mixture by mouth, usually once daily with or without food or as directed by your doctor. Zoloft may make we sleepy or wakeful. Therefore, depending on how Zoloft affects you, your doctor may direct we to take the entire dose once daily either in the morning or evening.

If you are taking Zoloft for premenstrual problems, your doctor may direct we to take Zoloft every day of month or just for 2 weeks before your period through first full day of your period.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Don't take more or less medication or take it more frequently than prescribed. Your condition won't improve any faster and your risk of side effects will increase. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help we remember, use it at the same time each day.

It's important to continue taking Zoloft as prescribed even if we feel well. Don't stop taking Zoloft without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when Zoloft is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce side effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

It may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Zoloft: side effects

See also Warning section.

Nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, loss of appetite, increased sweating, drowsiness, diarrhea, upset stomach, or trouble sleeping may occur while use Zoloft. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Zoloft because he or she has judged that benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Zoloft don't have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur:

Zoloft may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases when Zoloft is used with certain other drugs such as " triptans " used to treat migraine headaches ( e. g. , sumatriptan, eletriptan ) , certain antidepressants including other SSRIs ( e. g. , citalopram, paroxetine ) and SNRIs ( e. g. , duloxetine, venlafaxine ) , lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, or a certain drug to treat obesity ( sibutramine ) . Before taking Zoloft, tell your doctor if we take any of these medications. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely when we start or increase the dose of any of these medications. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop some of following symptoms:

For males, in very unlikely event we have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using Zoloft and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur.

A very serious allergic reaction to Zoloft is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If we notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Zoloft: precautions

Before taking Zoloft, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it; or to latex; or if we have any other allergies.

Before using Zoloft, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

This liquid medication contains alcohol. Caution is advised if we have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Some medications ( e. g. , metronidazole, disulfiram ) can cause a serious reaction when combined with alcohol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of this product.

Zoloft may make we drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Caution is advised when using Zoloft in elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. The elderly are also more likely to develop a type of mineral imbalance ( hyponatremia ) , especially if they're also taking " water pills " ( diuretics ) with this medication.

Caution is advised when using Zoloft in children because they may be more sensitive to side effects of the drug, especially loss of appetite and weight loss. It is important to monitor weight and growth in children who are taking Zoloft.

Zoloft isn't recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Also, babies born to mothers who have used Zoloft during the last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If we notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, tell doctor promptly.

Since untreated depression can be a serious condition, don't stop taking Zoloft unless directed by your doctor. If you're planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think we may be pregnant, immediately discuss benefits and risks of using Zoloft during pregnancy with your doctor.

Zoloft passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Zoloft: interactions

See also Precautions.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for them. Don't start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors ( e. g. , furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine ) within 2 weeks before, during, and after treatment with this medication. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur.

Zoloft should also not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur while use Zoloft:

If we are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Zoloft.

Before using Zoloft, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:

Zoloft can affect removal of other drugs from your body by affecting certain liver enzymes. These affected drugs include cimetidine, cisapride, clozapine, and certain drugs for heart rhythm such as flecainide/propafenone, among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Also report use of drugs which might increase seizure risk ( decrease seizure threshold ) when combined with Zoloft such as bupropion, isoniazid ( INH ) , theophylline, or tramadol, among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if we also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines ( e. g. , diphenhydramine ) , anti-seizure drugs ( e. g. , carbamazepine, phenytoin ) , medicine for sleep or anxiety ( e. g. , alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem ) , muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers ( e. g. , codeine, meperidine ) , psychiatric medicines ( e. g. , chlorpromazine, risperidone, thioridazine ) .

Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients, pain relievers/fever reducers ( NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen ) or the cough suppressant dextromethorphan. Ask your pharmacist about safe use of those products.

Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention ( usually at dosages of 81-325 mg per day ) , should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Zoloft, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Zoloft: overdose

If overdose of Zoloft is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Zoloft: notes

Psychiatric/medical checkups ( and possibly laboratory tests ) should be done regularly to monitor your progress and check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Do not share Zoloft with others.

Zoloft: missed dose

If you miss a dose Zoloft, take it as soon as you remember. If it's near time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose of Zoloft to catch up.

Zoloft: storage

Store Zoloft at room temperature at 77 degrees F ( 25 degrees C ) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F ( 15-30 degrees C ) is permitted. Don't store Zoloft in bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard Zoloft when it's expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Zoloft: warning

Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people ( especially children/teenagers ) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with the doctor about risks and benefits of antidepressant medication ( especially for children/teenagers ) , even if treatment isn't for a mental/mood condition.

Tell doctor immediately if you notice worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes ( including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts ) , or other mental/mood changes ( including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech ) . Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.

FDA approved Zoloft

New Debate Pack Challenges Students On Hot Topics, UK

The Museum of Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain ( RPSGB ) is launching a Pharmacy Debate Pack, a free citizenship resource for use in secondary schools.

The new resource, funded by Museums, Libraries and Archives London, encourages students to debate topical health issues, including 'Should cannabis be legalised? ' and 'Should smokers get treatment on the NHS? '.

The free pack also offers the opportunity for schools to create contacts with local pharmacists so that students can organise well-informed question and answer sessions prior to their debates.

A section of pack has been trialled by Lambeth's Lilian Baylis Technology School where year 10 students debated cannabis question. RPSGB's Museum Keeper, Briony Hudson, who co-wrote the resource with Abi Kendall, a teacher at school, said: " The feedback from the staff and students following trial debate at Lilian Baylis has been excellent. The students have really benefited from using the material in pack and were positively challenged by the debate. '

The students from Lilian Baylis will be presented with complete Pharmacy Debate Pack prior to its official launch on Wednesday 23 April. For more information on pack, or for details of how we can obtain a copy, please contact RPSGB's Museum on 0207 572 2210 or email museum@rpsgb. org.

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain ( RPSGB ) is professional and regulatory body for pharmacists in England, Scotland and Wales. It also regulates pharmacy technicians on a voluntary basis, which is expected to become statutory under anticipated legislation. The primary objectives of the Society are to lead, regulate, develop and represent profession of pharmacy.

Museums, Libraries and Archives London

MLA London is strategic development agency for museums, libraries and archives in region. They're part of wider MLA Partnership with Museums, Libraries and Archives Council ( MLA ) and eight other regional agencies.

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

Fresh health suggestion for everybody