Zoloft

Zoloft has an antihypertensive effect.

Indications Zolofta

It is used for the following disorders:

• states of depression that have various forms;
• OCD;
• panic disorders;
• social phobia;
• PTSD.

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Release form

The release is made in tablet form, in the amount of 14 pieces (volume 50 or 100 mg) inside a blister pack. Inside the pack - 1-2 packages.

Pharmacodynamics

Sertraline is an extremely powerful antidepressant, which is a strong specific SSRI inside neurons. In addition, it has a weak effect on the processes of reverse norepinephrine and dopamine uptake. Medicinal portions of the substance help to capture serotonin in platelets.

The drug does not have sedative, anticholinergic or stimulating properties, and at the same time does not enhance the adrenergic effect. Also, the component does not lead to the development of drug dependence, weight gain and other negative symptoms.

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Pharmacokinetics

The drug has good but rather slow absorption. Increased bioavailability values occur when taken with food. Food increases Cmax values, but at the same time shortens the period of drug effect.

Approximately 98% of the active ingredient undergoes protein synthesis. Transformed in the liver, sertraline forms the main metabolic product - the component N-desmethylsertraline, which has a lower activity.

The substance is excreted through urine and feces.

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Dosing and administration

Zoloft is required to be taken in the amount of 1 tablet in the morning and in the evening, every day.

The size of the initial dose is determined by the type of disorder - in case of depression, 50 mg should be used per day. In case of social phobia and panic disorders, 25 mg of the drug per day should be used first. This approach allows to avoid the appearance of early negative symptoms characteristic of panic disorders.

The dosage portion can then be increased, but this can be done maximum once a week. The maximum daily dosage is 0.2 g.

The development of the medicinal effect is noted after 7 days, but the full effect should be expected after 2-4 weeks.

In case of long-term therapy, it is necessary to use a minimum effective maintenance dose, which is changed from time to time, taking into account the severity of the therapeutic effect.

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Use Zolofta during pregnancy

It is prohibited to prescribe to lactating or pregnant women.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications:

• presence of intolerance to sertraline;
• combined use with pimozide or MAOI.

The drug should be used with caution if the patient has epilepsy, organic cerebral pathologies, renal or hepatic insufficiency, or significant weight loss.

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Side effects Zolofta

The use of the medicinal substance may provoke the occurrence of side effects that are associated with digestive activity - in the form of dyspeptic disorders (vomiting, constipation, pain in the abdominal area, bloating, pancreatitis, diarrhea, nausea, etc.).

In addition, disorders of the nervous system, cardiovascular system, urinary, respiratory, motor and other systems may be observed.

Also, sometimes problems with the visual organs arise and various signs of allergies and systemic manifestations develop.

Occasionally, upon discontinuation of sertraline, a withdrawal syndrome occurs, which includes hypoesthesia, hallucinations, aggressive symptoms, paresthesia, depressive symptoms, psychosis or anxiety, and psychomotor agitation, making it difficult to accurately determine the diagnosis.

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Overdose

The use of large doses of Zoloft did not cause severe symptoms. However, when the drug is administered together with other medications, the following symptoms may appear: vomiting, diarrhea, psychomotor agitation, tachycardia, nausea, as well as dizziness, agitation, hyperhidrosis, drowsiness, hyperreflexia and myoclonus.

In such cases, symptomatic procedures must be performed, carefully monitoring the functioning of important body systems (especially the respiratory system).

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Interactions with other drugs

The combination of the drug and pimozide can significantly increase its levels in the body, and since pimozide has a fairly narrow drug index, these drugs should not be used together.

Combination with MAOIs causes serotonin intoxication with rigidity, hyperthermia, and also with instability of the autonomic nervous system, myoclonus, etc. Such manifestations can lead to severe complications and threaten human life and health.

Co-administration with cimetidine significantly reduces sertraline clearance values.

Antiarrhythmic drugs (flecainide and propafenone) or tricyclics can cause a mutual increase in the levels of these components in the body.

The use of lithium-containing agents may increase the incidence of tremor and other nervous system dysfunction, which is why such a combination should be used with extreme caution.

Sertraline should not be combined with fenfluramine, tryptophan, or antipyrine, as this may cause liver dysfunction and nervous system dysfunction.

Chronic administration of phenytoin with sertraline in doses up to 0.2 g often does not result in clinically significant adverse effects. However, the dosage and plasma levels of phenytoin should be monitored very carefully after each change in the dose of these drugs.

The administration of Zoloft with sumatriptan may cause a feeling of weakness, confusion, increased tendon reflexes, a feeling of excitement or anxiety. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly monitor the health of individuals for whom combined therapy with these agents is clinically justified.

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Storage conditions

Zoloft should be stored in a dry place, out of the reach of children.

Shelf life

Zoloft can be used within 5 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

Application for children

Not for use in children under 6 years of age.

The medication is often prescribed to children aged 6-17 who are developing OCD.

Adolescents aged 13-17 years should take 50 mg of the substance per day at the beginning of therapy. Children aged 6-12 years take 25 mg of the drug daily during the first 7 days, after which the dosage is increased to 50 mg. Then, taking into account the drug's effectiveness and the patient's personal characteristics, the portion is adjusted (increased or decreased). To prevent overdose, when increasing the portion from 50 mg, it is necessary to remember that children weigh less than adults.

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Analogues

Analogues of the drug are Solotik, Adjuvin, Serenata, Seralin with Aleval, and in addition to this Deprefolt, Asentra, Stimuloton, Sertralux and Sertraline hydrochloride with Sertraloft and Torin with Depralin. In addition, the list includes Zalox, Sertraline, Serlift, A-depresin, etc.

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Reviews

Zoloft is commonly used to treat a variety of phobias, depression, and other nervous system disorders, as reported in reviews on medical forums.

Patients often note high medicinal effectiveness, but it is specified that improvements develop quite slowly. At the same time, it is reported that the use of drugs leads to stabilization of the psychological state and sleep.

But it is necessary to remember that during treatment with this medicine negative symptoms may appear - insomnia or, conversely, a strong feeling of drowsiness. In addition, there are comments that talk about the occurrence of diseases associated with liver and kidney function.

Doctors consider Zoloft to be one of the most effective drugs that help improve the functioning of the nervous system. But during therapy, you need to carefully monitor the portion sizes, promptly adjust them and remember the likelihood of developing a negative drug interaction with other drugs. Because of this, only a doctor can prescribe therapy and monitor it.