Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Indications and Usage

Take Zoloft exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Take Zoloft with or without food, at the same time each day. Zoloft liquid (oral concentrate) must be diluted with a liquid right before you take it. Read and carefully follow all mixing instructions provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need help. Tell your doctor if you have any changes in sexual function, such as loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, or (in men) problems with erections or ejaculation. Some sexual problems can be treated. Measure the mixed medicine with the supplied syringe or a dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). Sertraline may cause false results on a drug-screening urine test. Tell the laboratory staff that you use Zoloft. Do not stop using Zoloft suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine. Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Dosage and Administration

The way in which your doctor prescribes Zoloft, including the initial dose, will vary between different people and with different diagnoses. General information about dosing includes:

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Zoloft?

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Zoloft will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

You should not use sertraline if you are allergic to it, or if you also take pimozide. Do not use the liquid form of sertraline if you take disulfiram (Antabuse). Do not use sertraline within 14 days before or 14 days after using an MAO inhibitor. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others. Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with sertraline could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Sertraline is approved for use in children at least 6 years old, only to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder but not depression. Taking this medicine during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop sertraline without asking your doctor. Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

What other drugs will affect Zoloft?

oloft can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV. Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with Zoloft may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. Other drugs may interact with sertraline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Zoloft and Pregnancy

In March 2006 Health Canada issued a warning for SSRI antidepressants saying that there could be complications for infants born to mothers taking any of these medications, including Zoloft, during the third trimester of pregnancy. The manufacturer's prescribing information states, "Zoloft should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus."

What are the side effects?

You may or may not have side effects while taking Zoloft, If you do, most people do not have all of the possible side effects. The most common side effects of Zoloft include:

Although uncommon, all SSRI antidepressants have some potential to cause weight gain.

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