Zoloft is mainly used for the treatment of Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. It can also be used for the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder, or any other mood related conditions, after consulting a doctor.

Zoloft tablets come in 25mg, 50mg and 100 mg doses. Your doctor can decide the optimal dosage for you after knowing about your condition, as it is different for everyone. Before taking the medicine, it is very important to consult with a doctor and to let the doctor know about your medical history, present condition/s, any psychological disorders or depression that run in the family, and about any kind of other medication you are taking. You should also tell the doctor if you are allergic to any ingredients or foods. It is important to follow the prescribed dosage because every individual has separate balancing requirements for the serotonin in the brain. Extra doses of medicine should not be taken.

Zoloft helps in treating mood problems by balancing serotonin in the brain, hence making the nerve cells communicate in a better way. Besides treating Mood Disorders, it is also useful for Anxiety Disorders. Zoloft affects different individuals in a different way because everyone has their own psychological traits. When you start taking the medicine, it is possible that some symptoms may start to disappear in a week’s time. And it can even take up to eight weeks for the medicine to start taking its effect. So it depends on the unique condition of the individuals. The medicine will have its required effect only if it is taken regularly for a specified period of time. The period for which the medicine has to be used varies. But it is necessary to continue using the medicine as prescribed so that the symptoms don’t return. Before discontinuing the medicine, you should make sure that you have the doctor’s approval.

Not all people suffer the side effects of Zoloft, which are mostly minor. The most common side effects of the medicine are anxiety, drowsiness, nervousness, increased sweating, dry mouth, diarrhea, loss of appetite, sexual problems, weight loss, fatigue, insomnia, and vomiting. In case of severe effects like allergic reactions, chest pain, impulsiveness, panic attacks, seizures, unusual bleeding or bruising, suicidal thoughts and increasing depression a doctor should immediately be consulted. In older people, the side effects of Zoloft can sometimes be severe because they have relatively less tolerability to medicine.

This article is for informational purposes only. For further instructions on Zoloft consult with your doctor.

Effective Dosage and Possible Side Effects

50-200 mg/day

• allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, the closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, face or hives)
• irregular heartbeat or pulse
• low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness)
• high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision)
• chills or fever.