Zoloft

Drug name

Zoloft (Sertraline)

Drug Uses

Zoloft is intended to treat such conditions of adult patients as depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The medicine is also prescribed to treat OCD in children (between 6 – 12 years old) and youth (between 12 - 17 years old).

How Taken

The medicine is produced in tablets and is taken orally. The common dosage is one tablet a day. It iis permitted to take while meal as well as before or after it. Follow you doctor directions when taking the medicine. Do not stop the therapy even in the case your condition became much better. Do not stop treating without consulting with your doctor especially in case you have taken the medicine for a long time and in big doses. Your doctor may direct you to decrease the dosage step by step. The effect of the therapy can show itself only after several weeks of taking the drug.

Missed Dose

In case you take the medicine one time a day in the morning and have missed to take the medicine do it at the moment you have remembered but skip it in case it is the time of your next dosage and follow your usual schedule. In case you take the medicine one time a day in the evening and have remembered about the missed dose only at the next morning then skip the missed dose. You shouldn’t use double dose simultaneously.

Storage

Keep the medicine at the temperature of 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). It is permitted to keep the medicine between 15 – 30 degrees C (59 – 86 degrees F).

Warnings Precautions

Consult your doctor about you medical history before taking the medicine especially in case you have liver, kidney diseases, or you are suffering from seizures or mania or you have suicidal thoughts. In case any of these conditions apply to you then you’ll probably need an adjustment of the medicine dosage or special monitoring throughout the therapy or you may not be able to take this drug. The impact of the medication on the human fetus is not clear that is why talk to your doctor before taking the medicine throughout pregnancy and breast-feeding periods.

Possible Side Effects

Stop taking the medicine and consult your doctor at once in case you have an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); an irregular heartbeat or pulse; low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or chills or fever. Do not stop taking the medicine but contact your doctor in case you have headache; tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight; sleepiness or insomnia; or decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm. Contact you doctor in case you have any other side effect not mentioned here that bothers you.