Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksPrecautionsDosageSide EffectsWarnings and InteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
Precautions
Dosage
Side Effects
Warnings and Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
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It’s important for individuals who have beenprescribed Zoloftfor anxiety to understand how to use this drug safely and to be aware of its potential side effects. We also share some precautions to know before taking this drug, along with warnings and potential interactions.
The Most Important Things to Know About ZoloftThis drug is not approved for treating social anxiety in pediatric patients.It is not safe to take Zoloft with many other substances, including some prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as certain herbal supplements.If severe side effects are experienced when taking Zoloft, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention.
The Most Important Things to Know About Zoloft
This drug is not approved for treating social anxiety in pediatric patients.It is not safe to take Zoloft with many other substances, including some prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as certain herbal supplements.If severe side effects are experienced when taking Zoloft, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention.
How Zoloft Works for Anxiety
Clinicians also use SSRIs to treat other mental health conditions. These include major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How Does Zoloft Make You Feel?
Precautions When Taking Zoloft for Anxiety
Individuals should use Zoloft with caution if they:
The FDA has not approved Zoloft for the treatment of social anxiety disorder in people under 18 years of age. Evidence suggests an increased risk ofsuicidal thoughts and behaviorsin children and adolescents taking Zoloft.
If you or your child are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Zoloft Dosage for Anxiety
Zoloft is available in 25, 50, and 100 mg tablets and a 20 mg/ml oral solution. People taking this drug should check their prescription and consult their healthcare provider to make sure they’re taking the correct dose.
For people with social anxiety disorder, a typical dosage of Zoloft starts at 25 mg, with an increase to 50 mg after one week. Weekly increases up to a maximum dose of 200 mg are permitted for patients who do not respond to lower doses.
Modifications
How to Take and Store
Generally, Zoloft is taken once daily, with or without food, within the following guidelines.
Zoloft OverdoseThe risk of a fatalZoloft overdoseis low. Nevertheless, if too much Zoloft is taken, get help right away before the drug has a chance to cause unpleasant or dangerous symptoms. Symptoms of an overdose include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, increased or slow heart rate, and coma.
Zoloft Overdose
The risk of a fatalZoloft overdoseis low. Nevertheless, if too much Zoloft is taken, get help right away before the drug has a chance to cause unpleasant or dangerous symptoms. Symptoms of an overdose include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, increased or slow heart rate, and coma.
Zoloft Side Effects
Side effects of Zoloftcan range from mild to more serious. Side effects should ease and disappear as the body grows accustomed to the medication. If they don’t, contact a healthcare professional for advice. Don’t stop taking Zoloft unless a care provider says to.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects of Zoloft include:
Severe Side Effects
When first starting Zoloft or after changing the dosage, report any of the following side effects to a healthcare provider immediately:
When to Go to the ERIf a care provider is unavailable and severe symptoms are occurring, go to the emergency room immediately. Tell the medical personnel about the medication, the dosage prescribed, and when symptoms began.
When to Go to the ER
If a care provider is unavailable and severe symptoms are occurring, go to the emergency room immediately. Tell the medical personnel about the medication, the dosage prescribed, and when symptoms began.
Warnings and Interactions for Zoloft
Warnings and interactions when taking Zoloft include:
Black-Box WarningThe black-box warning for Zoloft indicates that it may cause or increase thoughts of suicide in children and young adults (under 25), especially in the first few weeks after starting the drug or changing the dosage.
Black-Box Warning
The black-box warning for Zoloft indicates that it may cause or increase thoughts of suicide in children and young adults (under 25), especially in the first few weeks after starting the drug or changing the dosage.
The information provided does not include every possible outcome of taking Zoloft. Always follow a care provider’s guidelines, and consult them or a pharmacist right away with any questions or concerns.
Although clinicians most often prescribe Zoloft to treat depression, the FDA has approved it to treat social anxiety disorder, too.Learn More:What to Know About Zoloft (Sertraline)
Although clinicians most often prescribe Zoloft to treat depression, the FDA has approved it to treat social anxiety disorder, too.
Learn More:What to Know About Zoloft (Sertraline)
Research indicates that many people find some relief from anxiety symptoms within the first six weeks of starting Zoloft.
A care provider is likely to increase a patient’s Zoloft dosage if their anxiety symptoms fail to improve within the first few weeks of beginning treatment with the drug.
8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine,ZOLOFT— sertraline hydrochloride tablet.Sharma T, Guski LS, Freund N, Gøtzsche PC.Suicidality and aggression during antidepressant treatment: systemic review and meta-analyses based on clinical study reports.BMJ. 2016;352:i65, doi:10.1136/bmj.i65Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991Foong AL, Grindrod KA, Patel T, Kellar J.Demystifying serotonin syndrome.Can Fam Physician. 2018;64(10):720-727.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Sertraline (Zoloft).Ellingrod VL.Grapefruit juice and psychotropics: How to avoid potential interactions.Current Psychiatry.Pfizer.Zoloft - sertraline hydrochloride tablet, film coated.Lewis G, Duffy L, Ades A, et al.The clinical effectiveness of sertraline in primary care and the role of depression severity and duration (Panda): A pragmatic, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial.Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(11):903-914. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30366-9Additional ReadingPfizer.Zoloft (setraline hydrochloride): tablets and oral concentrate.
8 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine,ZOLOFT— sertraline hydrochloride tablet.Sharma T, Guski LS, Freund N, Gøtzsche PC.Suicidality and aggression during antidepressant treatment: systemic review and meta-analyses based on clinical study reports.BMJ. 2016;352:i65, doi:10.1136/bmj.i65Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991Foong AL, Grindrod KA, Patel T, Kellar J.Demystifying serotonin syndrome.Can Fam Physician. 2018;64(10):720-727.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Sertraline (Zoloft).Ellingrod VL.Grapefruit juice and psychotropics: How to avoid potential interactions.Current Psychiatry.Pfizer.Zoloft - sertraline hydrochloride tablet, film coated.Lewis G, Duffy L, Ades A, et al.The clinical effectiveness of sertraline in primary care and the role of depression severity and duration (Panda): A pragmatic, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial.Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(11):903-914. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30366-9Additional ReadingPfizer.Zoloft (setraline hydrochloride): tablets and oral concentrate.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. National Library of Medicine,ZOLOFT— sertraline hydrochloride tablet.Sharma T, Guski LS, Freund N, Gøtzsche PC.Suicidality and aggression during antidepressant treatment: systemic review and meta-analyses based on clinical study reports.BMJ. 2016;352:i65, doi:10.1136/bmj.i65Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991Foong AL, Grindrod KA, Patel T, Kellar J.Demystifying serotonin syndrome.Can Fam Physician. 2018;64(10):720-727.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Sertraline (Zoloft).Ellingrod VL.Grapefruit juice and psychotropics: How to avoid potential interactions.Current Psychiatry.Pfizer.Zoloft - sertraline hydrochloride tablet, film coated.Lewis G, Duffy L, Ades A, et al.The clinical effectiveness of sertraline in primary care and the role of depression severity and duration (Panda): A pragmatic, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial.Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(11):903-914. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30366-9
U.S. National Library of Medicine,ZOLOFT— sertraline hydrochloride tablet.
Sharma T, Guski LS, Freund N, Gøtzsche PC.Suicidality and aggression during antidepressant treatment: systemic review and meta-analyses based on clinical study reports.BMJ. 2016;352:i65, doi:10.1136/bmj.i65
Gabriel M, Sharma V.Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.CMAJ. 2017;189(21):E747. doi:10.1503/cmaj.160991
Foong AL, Grindrod KA, Patel T, Kellar J.Demystifying serotonin syndrome.Can Fam Physician. 2018;64(10):720-727.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Sertraline (Zoloft).
Ellingrod VL.Grapefruit juice and psychotropics: How to avoid potential interactions.Current Psychiatry.
Pfizer.Zoloft - sertraline hydrochloride tablet, film coated.
Lewis G, Duffy L, Ades A, et al.The clinical effectiveness of sertraline in primary care and the role of depression severity and duration (Panda): A pragmatic, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial.Lancet Psychiatry. 2019;6(11):903-914. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30366-9
Pfizer.Zoloft (setraline hydrochloride): tablets and oral concentrate.
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