Zoloft depression information by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Zoioft side effects

Zoloft is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), posttraumatic stress disorder (disturbing psychological symptoms that develop after a frightening experience), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Zoloft is also used to relieve the symptoms of PMS premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness.

How Zoloft works
Zoloft is in a class of prescription medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Zoloft works by increasing the amounts of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.

Zoloft Side Effects

Possible Zoloft side effects include: Nausea, diarrhea / loose stools, dyspepsia, sexual dysfunction (primarily ejaculatory delay), insomnia, somnolence, tremor, increased sweating, dry mouth, and dizziness. A possible higher rate of suicide from Zoloft has been reported but this claim is controversial. It has been suggested that SSRIs may cause depression to worsen and even lead to suicide in a small number of patients. These potential Zoloft side effects are difficult to evaluate in depressed patients because depression can progress with or without treatment, and suicide is itself a consequence of depression.

How Zoloft works
The antidepressant effect of Zoloft is presumed to be linked to its ability to inhibit the neuronal reuptake of serotonin. Zoloft has only very weak effects on norepinephrine and dopamine neuronal reuptake. At clinical doses, Zoloft blocks the uptake of serotonin into human platelets. In receptor binding studies, Zoloft has no significant affinity for adrenergic (alpha(1), alpha(2) and beta), cholinergic, GABA, dopaminergic, histaminergic, serotonergic (5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2) or benzodiazepine binding sites.

Does Zoloft Increase Suicide Rates?

Studies have shown that children and teenagers who take antidepressants such as Zoloft may be more likely to think about harming or killing themselves or to plan or try to do so than children who do not take antidepressants.

Zoloft for Depression after Stroke

In non-depressed patients who have recently suffered a stroke, prophylactic treatment with Zoloft does not prevent the onset of depression in the following 6 months. Depression after stroke is common, affecting approximately 1 in every 3 survivors.

Zoloft questions
Q. I have had great success using LJ100 and other herbs for sexual enhancement. I recently just started taking Zoloft which is working wonderfully for me but I am experiencing a loss of libido. I read that you don't recommend taking LJ100 with an SSRI such as Zoloft. Is there any sexual enhancement herbs that are safe with Zoloft?? also can I take Korean Ginseng while on Zoloft. I know that you aren't supposed to respond to these emails but please help It is hard to find any information on this subject.
   A. Antidepressants of the SSRI class such as Zoloft increase serotonin in the brain and thus dampen libido and erections. Unexpected side effects can occur when Zoloft and such drugs are combined with sexual herbs, such as LJ100. Hence, even though there may be people who can tolerate the combination of Zoloft and LJ100 or other sex herbs, some people may not and get side effects and we cannot predict who will have such untoward reactions and we cannot predict which sexual herb will be tolerated and effective and which will not. We don't want to take the chance recommending a particular sex herb to be taken with Zoloft and then having reports back of unexpected side effects. There have been no studies that we know of combining Zoloft with sexual herbs except perhaps ginkgo biloba, which is not a true libido enhancer.

Q. I currently am taking 150 mg Zoloft for about 3 years. I really want off of it but when ever I try, with doctor guidness, when I get done to getting off of them my whole body goes into a complete shock. If feels as everything is trying to get out of the insides of the body, and it puts me on edge. I really want off this Zoloft stuff. Just turned 46 and moving on up. How would I go about making the switch from the Zoloft prescription to the Herbal? ( hopefully Mind Power Rx ). It also has effected my sexual life, by taking all sexual desires completely away, when I use to have not a problem in this area. I know it's from the Zoloft, but the doctors are not doing much to help me. They just keep me on it and raise my dosage back up to 150mg, which I happen to function well with, excluding the areas I stated earlier.
   A. Unfortunately we are not in a position to advise anyone how to change their medicines or treatment. You can read about natural ways to treat depression at this depression web page. Keep in mind that 5-HTP also increases serotonin and decreases sexual drive. You can discuss the research on natural supplements with your doctor. We don't suggest using Passion Rx or Mind Power Rx the same day as Zoloft.

Q. I'm 32 years old and have had a history of depression, anxiety, etc. Brain chemistry is always changing and at this point in my life I'm off all medications. All I know is that I recently took Zoloft for 3 weeks to help with some Obsessive thoughts and I quickly realized Zoloft med was doing nothing but numbing me mentally and sexually and that I could get through my Obsessive thoughts alone and with the aid of talk therapy. After getting off Zoloft med I experienced a rush like no other. I felt extreme energy and excitement and a sexual appetite I haven't had in years upon years. It seems that some brain chemicals were triggered after getting off the med. After about 3 days the "Mental Sex and Excitement Buzz" wore off. And shortly after that my RLS kicked in tremendously.