Zoloft Dosage
The Zoloft dosage is an important thing to pay attention to. This is because too little Zoloft can lead to excess depressive or anxiety symptoms. Too much Zoloft dosage and there is a risk of serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a serious complication of Zoloft toxicity and comes even when you haven’t exceeded the Zoloft maximum dosage.
The main symptoms of serotonin syndrome include diarrhea, agitation, restlessness, fast heart rate, increased body temperature, hallucinations, loss of coordination, nausea and vomiting, overactive reflexes, and fluctuations in the blood pressure. The diagnosis of serotonin syndrome is a clinical one as there are no blood tests or imaging tests to show the problem.
In diagnosing serotonin syndrome, you need to recognize that the patient has been taking a drug that increases the body’s serotonin level, such as Zoloft dosing that has been too high, along with three or more of the following symptoms and signs: agitation, heavy sweating unrelated to exercise, diarrhea, fever, mental status changes such as hypomania or confusion, muscle spasms, shivering, overactive reflexes, tremor and uncoordination. The Zoloft dosage that is related to serotonin syndrome can be as low as 25 mg or as high as 200 milligrams, depending on the individual and their reaction to the drug. The Zoloft maximum dosage can be as high as 200 mg and you should not go higher than that.
What is usual Zoloft dosage?
The usual Zoloft dose for adults with depression is 25 mg to start with. It comes as a liquid you drink or as a pill form. The beginning Zoloft dosage for anxiety should be around 50 mg. The Zoloft dose should be increased stepwise by 25 mg until the depression or anxiety is normalized. The usual Zoloft dose is around 50 mg for either depression or anxiety but tends overall to be higher for anxiety than for depression.
Zoloft is used in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder, major depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, anxiety disorders and post traumatic stress disorder. It can be used with mood stabilizers in those with bipolar depression. The dosage depends on the condition being treated and on the response of the patient.
The recommended Zoloft dose for those who have premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD is about 50 milligrams taken either once a day for the entire month or during the last two weeks of a woman’s menstrual cycle. You may find that it works just as well to have your Zoloft dosage taken only once a day for those two worst weeks of the cycle. Talk to your healthcare professional about their recommendations.
Zoloft Dosage in Children
Zoloft dosing in children isn’t much different than in adults. The usual starting Zoloft dose in kids aged 6-12, who usually take it for obsessive compulsive disorder, is about 25 mg. The Zoloft dosage for kids aged 13 to 17 is about 50 mg once per day. Again, children who do not swallow pills can take the elixir.
You need to be aware of Zoloft side effects particularly in children who do not tolerate the medication very well.
Children, adolescents and young adults taking Zoloft are known to have a higher than average incidence of suicidality and suicide after taking Zoloft. It usually happens within a few months of taking Zoloft but can occur at any time a child or adolescent is taking the drug. This needs to be watched out for at all times that a child or adolescent is on Zoloft for any reason, but particularly for depression.
Zoloft dosing is always once per day, usually in the morning. If you get fatigue from taking Zoloft, you should take it in the evening. The oral concentrate form of Zoloft must be diluted into four ounces of water, ginger ale, lemonade, orange juice or lemon-lime soda. No other beverages are allowable. Mix the Zoloft with one of these liquids just before taking it and do not mix it in advance. Zoloft can be taken with or without food. If you get an upset stomach on an empty stomach, try your next Zoloft dose with food and see how that feels. Take the drug at the same time of the day. The Zoloft dosage should not be split between morning and evening.
You should speak to your doctor in order to change or reduce your Zoloft dosage. You need to avoid Zoloft withdrawal symptoms, which include agitation, irritability, dizziness, headache, insomnia, anxiety, confusion, fatigue and a burning or tingling sensation in the body. You should lower your Zoloft dose gradually in order to avoid these symptoms.
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