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Overall Rating
6.12
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Rating:
6.12
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Side Effects
4.95
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Pricing
6.67
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Average Price: $13.88
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Recommended By
72% of reviewers
(of 43 reviews)
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advertisement
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Zoloft®
Generic Name: Sertraline SER-tra-leen
Drug Class: Antidepressant, SSRI | | Contents | Description | This medicine is used to treat depression or anxiety. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for other conditions as well.
Top of page
| | General Information | | This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. Top of page
| | Proper use of this medicine | This medicine should be taken about the same time every day, morning or evening and can be taken with or without food. This medicine may take up to 4 weeks to reach full effect, but you may see symptoms of depression improving in as little as 1-2 weeks.
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| | Missed Dose | Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
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| | Storage | Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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| | Possible Side Effects | - dry mouth
- tremor or muscle spasms
- nervousness
- trouble sleeping
- headache, drowsiness
- nausea
- drowsiness
- insomnia
- headache
- increased sweating
- dizziness, lightheadedness
- changes in sexual function
- Unreported side effects are possible, talk to your healthcare provider if any other symptoms occur.
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| | Warnings/Precautions | - This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
- Smoking cigarettes can decrease the effectiveness of this medicine.
- If you are planning to have surgery, let your doctor know.
- Do NOT take this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)] in the last two weeks.
- This medicine can increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some children and teens. Parents of children taking antidepressants should watch for signs of worsening depression or unusual changes in behavior.
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| | Overdose | Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
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| | Drug Interactions | - If you are taking a tricyclic antidepressant, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
- St. John’s Wort should be avoided while taking this medicine due to the additive effects of serotonin.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
- blood thinners (Coumadin)
- Do not take this medicine with thioridizine, or within 5 weeks of taking this medicine.
- Caution should be exercised when taking this medicine certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, or azithromycin.
- If you are taking medications for migraines such as Imitrex, talk to your doctor before starting this medicine.
- This medicine should not be taken with MAO inhibitors. If you think you are taking an MAO inhibitor talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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| | Pregnancy/Nursing | If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss the benefits versus the risks of using this medicine while pregnant. Because this medicine is excreted in the breast milk, nursing mothers should not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
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| | More Information | Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially children/teenages) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with a doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication, even if the treatment is not for a mental condition. Tell your doctor immediatley if you notice worsening depression, unusual behavior changes, (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes. Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.
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| Copyright 2006 PharmClips, Inc. All rights reserved. www.pharmclips.com | This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before making any changes in their drug regimen.
Last reviewed:
On 8 Aug 2006
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
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Reviews
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jennie
Poohbah
Registered: December 2002
Location: DC metro area
Posts: 1341
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Review Date: Thu June 22, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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increased energy
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Cons:
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tremors * agitation * nervousness * thirst
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At very low doses, this medication may be beneficial for some moderate depressions.
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tita
Member
Registered: May 2006
Location: New York new york city
Posts: 193
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Review Date: Sat July 22, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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it's seems to get in your system fast
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Cons:
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none so far
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Zoloft also to help with anxiety in socail situatations this med helps in socail situations that cause anxiety which was unexpected but a great help.
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alisandria
Veteran Member
Registered: August 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 304
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Review Date: Fri September 8, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
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Pros:
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fast acting???
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Cons:
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headache, anxiety, rash
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My personal experience, I suffered once again headaches, increased anxiety (I fashion probably cause of the nasty headaches) and rashes on my arms. I tried this on three separate occassions with the forethought of the rashes and headache may have been seasonally related (not that I break out in rashes, but...). Each time I used it I unfrotunately had the same reactions, that did not dissipate after a month or more of being on it. ;(
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eskielover
Magnate
Registered: October 2004
Location: Harrodsburg, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 2392
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Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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Cons:
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caused me to not sleep, kept nausea & weight loss going, & ended up with migraine pain
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This med caused me to stay awake & lack of sleep kept the anxiety level extremely high. As the anxiety level stayed high, my weight loss continued & my migraine headache pain continued to get worse. This med was stopped very soon after it was started.
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darkeyes
Moderator
Community Support Team
Registered: May 2001
Location: US
Posts: 6586
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Review Date: Fri September 15, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Does address depression subtly and should be titrated to therapeautic level(s),as well as many other medications
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Cons:
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When coming off of med,and gradually dosed down,"brain zaps" occured and frightened me,thinking I was now permanently neurologically damaged
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Overall,I think Zoloft can be very beneficial for those just suffering with clinical depression.
But not much for Bipolar depression.
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SerenitysWave
Grand Poohbah
Registered: December 2005
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1523
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Review Date: Sun October 22, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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relief from many depression, anxiety, panic symptoms as well as SI urges
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Cons:
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withdrawal symptoms after missed dose
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This medication is expensive... I am currently taking this medication. I am happy with the results so far, I have been taking it for a year now. I have had a couple relapses and had to up my dose, but once I got the proper dose it has been much easier to function and fit into the world. Hopefully it will last.
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whittpat
Newly Joined
Registered: October 2006
Location: California
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Review Date: Wed October 25, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Started working the 3rd day.
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Cons:
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Upset stomach
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I switch from Prozac to Zoloft and the change is amaizing. I have energy and I feel like being human.
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Raven417
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2006
Location: VA
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Review Date: Tue November 14, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Helped Tremendously after about 3 weeks!
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Cons:
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Dry mouth
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It has greatly helped with my anxiety, OCD, and agoraphobia! But, people around me tell me that I don't seem to care as much about certain things as before. I believe that I'm fine and I feel great!
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sallyoop
Newly Joined
Registered: December 2006
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Review Date: Wed December 20, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $1.00| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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I never realized how miserable I was until I took this
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Cons:
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gained 30 pounds; hellish withdrawal
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When I first started taking this, I experienced profound relief. I realized I had never known what it was like to be content and happy, or at least it had been so long that I had almost forgotten. For the first two weeks I was in a terrible fog, though, and didn't think that I could continue taking it. After that, I was sharper than I had ever been, and my memory was awesome.
I gained 3o pounds on this, though (I've only lost about 5 pounds of it in 6 months) and I had terrible hot flashes, night sweats and nightmares (when I could sleep...I had to start taking Lunesta to help me sleep). Sugar cravings were out of control, but I had never felt happier. I just got sick of gaining weight, so I switched to Wellbutrin.
I had brain zaps for at least two weeks after Zoloft...they are indescribable. It feels like your body moves, but your head stays put, and then, like its on a spring that has been stretched too far, your head snaps back, but it overshoots your body. And just like a spring, it takes it a while to quit moving back and forth.
Despite all of that, I'd take Zoloft again. I kind of miss feeling the way that I did when I took it...I've not been as happy on Wellbutrin even though Wellbutrin has fewer side effects.
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tryingtofixme
Junior Member
Registered: December 2006
Posts: 8
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Review Date: Thu December 28, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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helped me leave my house with a little less anxiety
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Cons:
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if you are in a relationship,,, beware,,, this made me lose all interest in men and so my relationship is ruined. It made me horribly sleepy where I could only stay awake a few hours a day.
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Everyone is different and this medicine could help people. Please make an informed decision about taking it first. The side effects were
very bothersome to me. It could save someone's life though. Just beware as with any meds.
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mama2ak
New Member
Registered: December 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Sat December 30, 2006
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Worked temporarily for me
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Cons:
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Zombie feelings, stopped working after awhile
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Glad it came in generic. I was on 200 mg of it for postpartum depression and with my first pregnancy, it worked pretty well, with this pregnancy it has done nothing so I got switched to Celexa. I don't think I'll try Zoloft again but was on it through my pregnancy because it's the safest for pregnant/nursing mothers.
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liz_c
New Member
Registered: January 2007
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Mon January 22, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $6.50| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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no feelings of guilt, dependency, anxiety, made me feel safe and like i could accomplish things on my own and I did
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Cons:
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Needing to increase dosage (I guess that is for all psych meds)
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After a few months of taking this medication, I was free of fear, anxiety and I even went back to school to further my education. Something I would NEVER have done or even thought about doing.
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catwoman
New Member
Registered: January 2007
Location: san jose, ca
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Tue January 30, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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energy, no more crying spells,
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Cons:
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headache, nausea at first while on it
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I have been taking this since 12/98 for "crying spells". it does not work as much as it used to. my first year on it i was oh so happy and 1999 was the best year of my life! i bought a new car, had a great job, manic? kidding...it really helped me out as a 22 year old back then. i did go off of it from 2003-2005 and cried every day. i was so depressed and even suicidal without taking it. so to say "it does not help as much as it used to" proved me wrong when i quit it and was severally depressed and mean.
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tricia
Newly Joined
Registered: June 2004
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Review Date: Sat March 10, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $60.00| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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no bad side effects
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Cons:
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none
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this drug has helped me no bad side effects
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DoubtingThomasina
Junior Member
Registered: April 2007
Location: North Dakota, ASA
Posts: 13
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Review Date: Wed April 11, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $12.00| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Works like a charm
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Cons:
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Watch for mania in Bipolaroids
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After bad experience with Lexapro and Wellbutrin, Zoloft was an anwer to my prayer. People sensitive to antidepressants should start with small doses and slowly have your physician evaluate your progress as you increase your dosage.
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marshall
Newly Joined
Registered: April 2007
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Review Date: Sun April 15, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Works well once you get to a therapeutic level and the side effects cease.
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Cons:
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Annoying side effects for the first few months. Had to start on a low dose and work up gradually.
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Made me feel miserable for the first two months. Main side effects were queasiness, constant churning stomach, and restless nerves. However I stuck with it and gradually increased the dose. You just have to be patient. The toxicity side effects gradually go away as your body gets used to having it in your blood stream.
When I lowered the dosage by 75 percent I had occasional head rush feelings that were sometimes accompanied by orange shooting stars in my field of vision (has anyone else experienced this?). A bit trippy at first, but it eventually went away and I felt totally normal.
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chichi
Member
Registered: January 2007
Location: canada
Posts: 66
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Review Date: Fri May 18, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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it works,
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Cons:
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2 weeks before my period it quits working my level of anxiety is higher
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I had a bit of nausea every now and then I only take once a day and I take 50 mg. If I continus to do well my doc said we will go off it after 9 months of taking it as long as I don't have any relapses. Looking forward to that day when I'm off it...but glad it helped when I needed it.
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Melissa_Ann
Newly Joined
Registered: June 2006
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Review Date: Sun May 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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Helps ease anxiety & depression
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Cons:
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Keeps me up at night
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It is working pretty good so far. I've been taking it for a few months now.
Except when I forget to take it, everything crashes down immediately.
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tranquility
Grand Member
Registered: May 2007
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 805
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Review Date: Tue May 22, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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helped depression agitation
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Cons:
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none
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took zoloft for 16 years. worked very well for me. diagnosed fibromyalgia and depression worsened. added wellbutrin on top of zoloft and it didn't help, so weaned of zoloft and switched to cymbalta. I would still recommend zoloft - and after all those years it's finally available in generic form!
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mamakitty
Newly Joined
Registered: May 2007
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Review Date: Sat July 21, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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really helps keep my anxiety down so I can think clearly
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Cons:
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severe mental changes with too high of a dose
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I didn't start driving until I turned 26 because of my anxiety. My doctor said it was likely PTSD from the car accident I was in as a small child, and he perscribed Zoloft. I started driving without a problem.
Now, I'm 30, and after having tonsil surgery in March and being off of my meds during recovery (two weeks), I noticed that I didn't feel any different and assumed that meant my anxiety was gone, so I convinced my doctor that I didn't need to be on Zoloft anymore.
Bad idea! After about three weeks total of being off of Zoloft, I almost caused a deadly carwreck. I was waiting to pull out onto a busy 65MPH highway, and for some reason I got this nervous energy that completely froze my mind up. I just had this overwhelming need to do something with myself--anything, so I automatically started pulling out into traffic without first making sure I could see around the cars turning off. I was almost hit sideways at 65MPH at least, and we were so close I could see the other driver! Thankfully I managed to realize what was happening and floored it while the other car still had to swerve to avoid me.
On Zoloft again, my driving is back to normal, and now I won't drive without it! I think when I was at home recovering from surgery, I didn't feel any anxiety because there was nothing to trigger it (for me, it is being in a car, and being in social situations).
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sweetleaf
Junior Member
Registered: July 2007
Location: south florida
Posts: 15
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Review Date: Sun July 29, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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works well on depression, less hypomania than prozac
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Cons:
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terrible stomach cramps that stopped as soon as i was off it
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I have bipolar2. Prozac had begun to poop out, so i tried zoloft. it worked well for the depression and did NOT cause the hypomania like Prozac did. I had to stop taking it because of the stomach cramps.
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xp1155
Member
Registered: August 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 30
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Review Date: Sun August 26, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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minor side effects
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Cons:
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dry mouth, some drowsiness at the beginning
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This did not help much with my depression, but I tolerated the drug very well. I would recommend people talk to their doctor about this treatment option over all other SSRIs.
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Sultrysorrow
Member
Registered: October 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 41
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Review Date: Thu October 4, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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You could have bullets flying by your head in a combat zone and not even blink.
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Cons:
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You'll feel as impotent as a corpse!
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I was on the max dosage while serving in Iraq under constant mortaring and gun fire. I didn't feel that "impending doom" and everything else that went with it.
I was like Tom Sizemore in the movie Blackhawk Down.
Heh heh...
But other than the sexual side effects, it works great. So if you're a monk or nun you'll be good to go.
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anna342
Member
Registered: March 2007
Location: England
Posts: 95
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Review Date: Mon November 5, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Helps with mood
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Cons:
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Miss a dose and I feel horrible
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I'm on the maximum dose, and do see that my mood has lifted, but it feels artificial, I don't feel like I am myself anymore. By no means do I feel happy though. I get shakey if I miss a dose.
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Elbarto150
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
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Review Date: Sun November 11, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Extra energy, increased pleasure and hapiness
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Cons:
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impotence, edginess, missed dose = hell
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I have been on Zoloft, Lexapro and Prozac for depression and Zoloft is definitely the best out of all three. Not only did it leave me feeling happier but it gave me extra energy to make it through the day. A few issues i have with Zoloft is that it kills your sex drive and makes you a little bit more tense and on edge feeling. Also, never stop cold turkey because you could start hallucinating and feeling really dizzy and out of it like I did.
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tanbeachbunny12
Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
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Review Date: Tue November 20, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
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Pros:
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Nothing
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Cons:
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Felt drowy,sad,depressed felt like couldnt move
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I have panic attacks take xanax for and the dr gave me a prescription for zoloft which i took one day and my mood changed I was very drowsy and my mood went to very very sad and depressed feelings I stopped taking it and will never take it again it was horrible!!!
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Piecesofme
New Member
Registered: December 2007
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Sun December 30, 2007
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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Helped for a little while with Depression
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Cons:
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Worsened anxiety, suicidal thoughts
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This was good with side effects, I had headaches on and off the first couple of weeks. But that was it.
It was good for a little while (I was on it, up-dosing, for about 3 or 4 months) but then it just kind of drained off.
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;)
