Zoloft Reviews

Zoloft Reviews – How does Zoloft work in the body?


Zoloft is a medication used primarily for depression, although it is used for other reasons as well.  It is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor.  Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is responsible for mood and other neurological functions.  A serotonin reuptake inhibitor like Zoloft interferes with the reuptake of serotonin from the presynaptic cell so that more serotonin is available for the postsynaptic cell downstream in the nerve and more serotonin effects are seen.

No Zoloft review would be complete without discussing the serotonin effects on the body and brain.  Serotonin is responsible for improved movement in the body, for developing a feeling of wellbeing, for calming anxiety, improving sleep and relieving depression.  There is also a vast quantity of serotonin in the GI tract, which means that Zoloft can lead to GI side effects in some people.  Most Zoloft reviews, however, are positive, focusing on the ability of Zoloft to improve mood and relieve anxiety.

 

Zoloft Reviews – What is Zoloft used for?

Zoloft ReviewsThe major effects of Zoloft are on depression.  People with low mood, sadness, guilt feelings, lack of sleep, too much sleep or suicidal thoughts can have relief from these symptoms with Zoloft.  In should be noted that one of the bad effects of Zoloft in children, teens and young adults is that it can temporarily increase the risk of suicidality and patients in this age group must be watched very carefully for this side effect of Zoloft.  Eventually, the risk of suicidality passes and the medication can do its job.

There are a few Zoloft reviews on anxiety.  People taking Zoloft often claim that Zoloft has changed their lives in terms of not having so many panic attacks or feelings of anxiety.  Often these symptoms are related to an underlying mild depression so that with Zoloft, anxiety and depression are attacked at the same time.  The individual experiences fewer panic attacks and the effects of Zoloft on anxiety include feeling calmer and without palpitations and other physical manifestations of anxiety.

Zoloft can be used in post traumatic stress disorder (PSTD).  These individuals have memories of a past bad experience, can relive the experience in their minds as if it is occurring currently, have panic attacks, depressive symptoms, survivor’s guilt and generalized anxiety with poor sleep and poor functioning in their daily lives.  Zoloft acts on the brain to reduce many of these symptoms so that people with post traumatic stress disorder function better in their lives and have fewer symptoms of PSTD.

For Zoloft, PMDD can be managed relatively simply.  PMDD is also known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which includes feelings of anxiety, depression, irritability and physical symptoms before the menstruation actually takes place.  With Zoloft, PMDD can be managed by taking the pill every day, even when there are no symptoms or by taking Zoloft only when the person is in the last two weeks of their menstrual cycle.  Each woman should talk to their doctor or psychiatrist about the best way for them to take the medication.

 

Zoloft Reviews – Zoloft Dosage


Zoloft carries the generic name of sertraline.  It is considered indicated by the FDA for obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.  It first came on the market in 1991.  The dosage of Zoloft is between 25 mg and 200 mg and tends to be higher in those with anxiety-related disorders.  Doctors start with 25-50 mg on the patient and increase the dose to achieve the desired effect.

 

Zoloft Reviews – Zoloft Side Effects


Side effects of Zoloft can include feeling sleepy, feeling nervous, having an inability to sleep, being dizzy, or having nausea, skin rash or tremor.  There can be stomach upset and loss of appetite, headache, diarrhea, problem with ejaculation or anorgasmia, dry mouth or weight loss.  More serious side effects include exacerbation of mania in those with bipolar disorder (which may be undiagnosed in the beginning), irregular heart beat or more serious allergic reactions.

So does Zoloft work?  Zoloft has one of the longest success rates of any antidepressants and millions of prescriptions for it have been written.  The side effect profile is no worse than any other antidepressant and it can be used for a number of psychiatric conditions.

One problem with Zoloft that should be discussed is the risk of birth defects if Zoloft is taken in pregnancy.  Traditionally, it was recommended by the FDA not to use Zoloft in the third trimester but more recently, Zoloft has been linked to birth defects in early pregnancy, including cleft lip, cleft palate and septal heart defects.  On the other hand, stopping the medication may put you back into a depressive state.  If the depression is mild, the hormones of pregnancy may protect you somewhat from the effects of depression on your mind and body but this is not true with everyone.  Speak to your gynecologist or psychiatrist about other options you can take in pregnancy in order to block the depressive symptoms without risk to the fetus.

 

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