Is Zoloft Good For Anxiety

What Causes Anxiety Flare Ups

It is stress that is causing it. Traffic jams, missing your train, and other daily stressors can make you anxious. Chronic stress can lead to long term anxiety and other health problems. Skipping meals, drinking alcohol, and not getting enough sleep are some of the behaviors that can be caused by stress.

What Should I Avoid When Taking Zoloft

Its vital to avoid any substance, food, or drink that may cause a bad interaction affecting Zoloft and anxiety treatment. Besides alcohol, some other major foods or drinks to avoid are chocolate and caffeine-containing food items. Combining those with sertraline may result in high fever, nausea, trembling, sweating, and agitation.

Who Shouldnt Take Zoloft

While Zoloft can offer some good anxiety-reducing effects, there are some people for whom the drug may not be a good match.

Conditions that can impact the effect of Zoloft include:

People with angle-closure glaucoma

People with angle-closure glaucoma conditions can experience an increase in glaucoma attacks if they take Zoloft. Therefore, they should talk to their doctor to determine if the SSRI is appropriate.

People with seizure conditions

Since seizures are already a potential side effect of Zoloft, the medication should be considered carefully in people with a seizure condition lest it increases their frequency or severity.

People with liver issues

Patients with liver problems should take care when starting Zoloft as they can experience stronger doses than normal due to their livers inability to break down the medication.

People with bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a possible complication of Zoloft as you can experience a higher risk of manic symptoms.

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What Are The Most Serious Side Effects That I Or A Caregiver Should Monitor For When Taking Sertraline

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.

These serious side effects are rare, but can occur with sertraline. You or a caregiver should carefully monitor for these side effects, especially in the beginning of treatment and with dose changes.

• Serotonin Syndrome: Serotonin syndrome is an uncommon, potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when taking too much of an SSRI or SNRI at once or when sertraline is taken along with other drugs that increase the activity of serotonin in the central nervous system. These medications may include MAOIs, triptans , tricyclic antidepressants, fentanyl, lithium, tramadol, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. Johns Wort. Monitor for symptoms of elevated body temperature, flushing, sweating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, agitation, and a racing heartbeat.

• Increased risk of bleeding: Tell your provider if you experience any increased or unusual bruising, bleeding, or nose bleed. Sertraline may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with NSAIDs , aspirin, or blood thinners such as warfarin .

• Activation of Mania/Hypomania: Especially at the beginning of treatment, monitor for changes in behavior such as an unusually elevated mood, feeling unusually irritable, a big increase in energy, being more talkative than usual, racing thoughts, or engaging in risky behaviors. These changes in behavior could be signs of undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder.

When Is The Best Time Of Day To Take Zoloft For Anxiety

If you take Zoloft or are thinking about taking it for anxiety, theres no doubt you want to do whatever you can to make sure the medication is as effective as possible.

After all, dealing with anxiety in your daily life is tough and can have quite an impact on your life.

And if a medical professional has suggested that Zoloft may help, you want to make sure nothing you do stands in the way of it working.

With that, you may have heard that the time of day can affect how well certain medications work. Wondering if Zoloft is one of them? Keep reading to find out.

A common anxiety disorder in adults is Generalized Anxiety Disorder .

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America say that those who struggle to control their anxiety more days than not over a period of six months, may be dealing with GAD.

The following symptoms are associated with GAD:

• Feeling nervous

But GAD is not the only anxiety disorder. Other anxiety disorders include:

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Social Anxiety Disorder

Speaking to a health care professional can help you identify if your anxiety is just occasional, run-of-the-mill nervousness or if it could be an anxiety disorder that is impacting your daily life.

If its determined that you are dealing with one of these, it may be suggested that you consider anxiety medications to help manage it like Zoloft.

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Zoloft For Anxiety: How Is It Used

Zoloft is an antidepressant medicine that has been used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions for almost 30 years. Multiple studies have shown it is safe and effective for treating symptoms of anxiety. Zoloft works by preventing some of the neurotransmitter serotonin from being reabsorbed. Over time, this increases the amount of serotonin available in the brain, helping to stabilize a persons mood and reducing anxiety.

How Long Does It Take For Lexapro To Work

As with most SSRIs, you may notice that your sleep, energy, and/or appetite begins to improve within the first two weeks of starting Lexapro. However, it may take up to 6 to 8 weeks before the improvement of symptoms such as depressed mood or decreased interest in activities become noticeable.

Some Lexapro side effects may improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication. However, sexual side effects may not decrease over time.

Talk to your doctor or Minded provider if you experience any of these or other side effects.

Rare or serious side effects of Lexapro include:

• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Low sodium levels in your blood
• Serotonin Syndrome . Serotonin Syndrome is a very serious condition and can be fatal if not recognized and treated.

SSRI antidepressant medicationsâlike Lexaproâmay also put you at an increased risk for potentially life-threatening bleeding, especially when they are taken with medications such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories , and warfarin , or other anticoagulants. Lexapro taken with any single or combination of these medications could cause your gums, nose, stomach, or intestines to bleed more easily.

Seek medical attention right away if you experience any of these serious side effects.

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A Final Word On Zoloft For Anxiety

If you have an anxiety disorder like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or social anxiety disorder, medication like Zoloft may help improve your quality of life.

An online psychiatrist can help you figure out what medication or other types of treatments could work for you.

Its important to use Zoloft as your healthcare provider has prescribed it to you and to let them know about any adverse or new side effects you experience.

A Closer Look At Lexapro

Lexapro is the brand name of the generic drug escitalopram. It is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder .

Lexapro may also sometimes be prescribed for âoff-labelâ uses. âOff-labelâ use means taking a medication for a condition that it has not been approved by the FDA to treat. This is a common and acceptable medical practice. Lexapro may be used âoff-labelâ to help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder , eating disorders , panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder , and premenstrual dysphoric disorder .

Lexapro is available in tablet and liquid forms:

Lexapro tablet

Lexapro liquid

The recommended starting dose for Lexaproâwhether you are taking it for depression or anxietyâis typically 10 mg taken once a day. Your doctor or prescribing nurse may gradually increase the dosage over the course of several weeks, if necessary. The maximum recommended dose is 20 mg, though some people need higher doses to achieve symptom relief.

Lexapro is taken once a day, with or without food. It can be taken in the morning or the evening, whichever is more convenient for you.

If you miss a dose of Lexapro, you will want to either take the missed dose as soon as you remember, or if it is closer to the time when you would take your next dose, just take the next dose.

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How Common Is Anxiety And Does Zoloft Help

Although Zoloft is considered an antidepressant medication, and was initially marketed to treat patients with depression, it is now FDA-approved to treat people with certain forms of anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health conditions in the United States.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, roughly 19% of adults have an anxiety disorder. An estimated 7% of children also have excessive anxiety. When we break down those statistics even further, we find:

Who Should Not Use Escitalopram

Do not use escitalopram if:

• You are taking a class of medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors . Examples of MAOIs include isocarboxazid , phenelzine , selegiline , and tranylcypromine , linezolid, or intravenous methylene blue. MAOIs may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
• You are taking a medication called pimozide. Taking this medication with escitalopram can increase the risk of prolonged QT interval, which is a potentially dangerous change to the electrical signals that make your heart beat.
• You have a known allergic reaction to escitalopram.

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How Will Zoloft Make You Feel

Zoloft can help reduce anxiety, but how will it make you feel?

Once youve been taking Zoloft for long enough to feel its effects, you should start to experience feelings of relief, relaxation, and calm as the weight of your anxiety begins to lift.

Some other changes that you might notice are an increase in your energy levels and appetite. You may also find that you start to get a better nights sleep.

You might also notice an improvement in your motivation levels and overall quality of life. Some people even find that the medication completely fixes their anxiety symptoms.

Its important to note that not all people experience Zoloft in the same way. While some may find their anxiety stops, others may only experience some lessening of symptoms.

Be sure to discuss how the medication is working for you with your doctor so that they can help to tailor your dosing and treatment plan to get you the best results.

Important Safety Information For Escitalopram

Warning: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

Suicide is a known risk of depression and certain other psychiatric disorders, and these disorders themselves are the strongest predictors of suicide. In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults under age 24. These studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior with antidepressant use in patients over age 24 there was a reduction in risk in patients 65 and older.

Patients of all ages being treated with antidepressants should be observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, and unusual changes in behavior, especially early during antidepressant treatment and when the dose is adjusted up or down. Families and caregivers of patients should look for the emergence of symptoms on a day-to-day basis, since changes may be abrupt.

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Reviews On Zoloft Side Effects And Drug Interactions

Zoloft users frequently report that the first week to four weeks on Zoloft produced many negative side effects, such as flulike symptoms, racing thoughts, increased anxiety, insomnia, gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and constipation, night sweats/terrors/nightmares, tremors, nausea, fatigue, muscle pain, apathy, and irritability.

However, most of these users say that the initial side effects did subside once their body adjusted to Zoloft.

A 27-year-old male Zoloft user reports in a review on Iodine.com, In the beginning you will feel terrible. Flu-like is the best way for me to describe it. Tightness in the jaw, no appetite, and stomach issues when you begin to eat. Diarrhea and constipation.

A 17-year-old man who took Zoloft for OCD agreed that the first weeks on Zoloft resulted in negative side effects, writing on Iodine.com, Potential for increased anxiety at first. Also caused severe insomnia for a few weeks.

A 27-year-old female patient, also writing a review on Iodine.com, concurred: Take vitamins the adjustment period causes muscle fatigue. Crazy vivid nightmares are normal too.

Most Zoloft reviewers offer light at the end of the tunnel if youre willing to stick through the initial side effects, though.

One Zoloft review on Everyday Health states, The side effects at first were horrible headaches, nausea, dizziness had to leave work one day because of them. After a week the side effects had eased and after a month they were gone.

What Other Treatments Can Help Manage Anxiety

Medications for anxiety are safe and effective and are good options for many people. But some people want to avoid medication, and some want to combine medication with other treatments. You can try:

• Psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a first-line treatment for anxiety, and phobias can respond to biofeedback and exposure therapy.
• Stress management techniques. You can learn breathing techniques and progressive muscle relaxation to reduce anxiety.
• Lifestyle modifications. Getting enough quality sleep, exercising, and avoiding alcohol, illicit drugs and excessive caffeine can help reduce anxiety.
• Support groups. Connecting with people who share your experiences can be valuable.

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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

These include fluoxetine , paroxetine , sertraline , fluvoxamine , citalopram , and escitalopram . They tend to be the first line choice for multiple anxiety disorders and depression. They are technically classified as antidepressants .

Sertraline is FDA approved for multiple conditions including: Major Depression, OCD, PTSD, Social Anxiety, Panic Disorder, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. While not all SSRIs have this many FDA approved indications, we often use the other ones for the same conditions. Pharmacy companies do not always bother pursuing FDA approvals due to cost reasons and the realization that the meds will be used off-label. It is completely legal and ethical to use medications for off-label purposes, but ideally the patient and provider should have a discussion about this first.

While SSRIs can have an immediate effect, the full effect can take anywhere from 3-8 weeks depending on the person. They are generic and cheap. I tend to prefer generic meds b/c they have been around longer with a proven track record, and the risks are known too . This is my style, and there is certainly nothing wrong with those who do prescriber newer meds .

While they are overall fairly well tolerated and arguably with less side effects than older classes of antidepressants, some people may be more sensitive to side effects of this class and may do better with older classes like tricyclic antidepressants or MAOIs .

Talk To Your Doctor First

While Zoloft can have a positive impact on anxiety, it can also come with some minor side effects. Zoloft can also increase your risk of serious side effects if you have an existing medical condition or are taking other medication.

Therefore, increasing your Zoloft dose without approval from your doctor should not be done under any circumstances. This can have serious detrimental effects on your health and wellbeing and can result in coma and seizures.

Zoloft side effects and drug interactions

The following side effects¹ and potential drug interactions² highlight why its important to follow your Zoloft prescription and avoid increasing your dosage without your doctor’s approval.

Potential side effects of Zoloft include:

• Worsening of depression and/or anxiety symptoms

• Violent behavior

• Manic behavior, e.g. fast-paced and racing thoughts, extreme high and low emotions, excessive energy, and talking grandiose thinking.

• An allergic reaction .

• Eye problems, e.g. blurred vision, red eyes, pain in the eyes.

• Serotonin syndrome includes symptoms such as hallucinations, agitated behavior, loss of consciousness/coma, increased heart rate, vomiting, and rigid muscles

There are also specific side effects that can affect children taking Zoloft:

Conditions that can increase your risk of Zoloft side effects:

Side effects that can occur when Zoloft is taken alongside certain medications:

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Zoloft Dosage For Anxiety

Zoloft is available as a tablet and as an oral solution.

Generally, doctors will start by prescribing 25-50 mg of the medication daily to treat adults with anxiety disorders, while children receive lower doses.

Usually, patients take their medication once daily by mouth.

If you believe you might benefit from Zoloft, you must first talk to a healthcare provider about your anxiety symptoms.

If they agree that the medication is appropriate for you, they will prescribe a recommended dose that considers your individual needs, health history, medical conditions, risk of drug interactions, medication tolerance, and more.

You should follow your doctors medical advice when taking Zoloft increasing or decreasing your dosage without their permission can lead to serious side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

Factors That Could Impact Whether You Need A Higher Dose

While its important to stick to the dose recommended by your doctor, there are legitimate and safe reasons why your doctor may increase your Zoloft dose.

For instance, your doctor may increase your Zoloft dose if you arent seeing a significant reduction in your anxiety symptoms, so long as it is safe.

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Antidepressants Change Your Personality

No medication can change your personality. Psychiatric medication will not alter your brains chemicals and change who you are if you use them. Antidepressants only work to reduce symptoms of your mental health condition and help you regain mental wellbeing.

They, therefore, restore you to the original level of functioning before the onset of depression.

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