Zoloft is a brand name (Generic Name is Sertraline) drug which is commonly used for treating depression, OCD, panic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, along with the social anxiety disorder and some other problems related to the anxious mood.
Zoloft is used extensively around the USA and has been successful in treating many people suffering from anxiety. The use of prescribed drugs to treat mental disorders is a relatively new development in the field of medicine. Zoloft has proven to be a dramatic advance with regard to the treatment of anxiety and is currently a household name. Doctors are, however, concerned that people who are not experiencing true anxiety might be very quick to the take the drug in order to relieve the slightest of troubles or anxious feelings.
Zoloft must only be taken if it is prescribed and it must be used with extreme caution. Before taking Zoloft, ensure that your doctor is fully aware of all other drugs that you are taking, and even other medication that you have taken in the past. Your doctor should be aware of your complete medical history before prescribing Zoloft to you in order to prevent any negative side effects. Some people may be prone to behavioral changes, whileothers may be allergic to this drug. Allergic reactions often include respiration problems and skin rashes.
How does Zoloft work?
Zoloft slows reabsorption of the chemical serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is believed to play a role in the regulation of mood and anxiety. Zoloft helps one deal with anxiety by balancing the chemicals in the brain after these have been in the state of imbalance.This effect is also the main tool this medication has for helping people deal with depression. Yet, this drug is claimed to stimulate suicidal tendencies in people who suffer from depression and is, therefore, rarely used for these purposes. However, bearing in mind that this medication has a different effect on each an every individual, it may not be related with this side-effect exclusively.
Usually, people who are treated with sertraline get exposed to low doses of this medication initially. Later, once the organism of the patient gets used to the drug, the dose gets increased gradually, in order to prevent the appearance of side-effects. This medication, as well as any other of this type is not supposed to be shared with anyone else but the person who has obtained the prescription for it. Also, this individual should only take the prescribed dosage in order to truly benefit from the effects of sertraline.
Any misuse of the drug may be counter-productive and even life-threatening. Thus, if you have any doubts or problems related to the effects of sertraline, contact the health practitioner who gave you the description for it in the first place. Commonly, Zoloft will have to be taken at a specific point of the day or night. Bear in mind that the food you eat and the time of the consumption can affect the effects of the medication too. Therefore, read the information sheet that comes with sertraline before taking the initial dosage. If this form of information is not available, contact your health provider. Additionally, do the same if you have any other forms of questions or inquiries.