Get Informed: Zoloft
Active Ingredient(s)
Sertraline
What does it do?
This product is primarily used for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. It works by prolonging the effect of serotonin, an important chemical in the brain.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-07 3:37 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-07 8:28 AM
Other Names
- Serta
- Sertraline
- Zoloft
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children, adolescents, and young adults with depression. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the following national suicide hotlines are available in the U.S. to help you: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 30 Dec 1991
- Est US Patients*
- 5,288,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Zoloft or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Zoloft Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Zoloft interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Zoloft used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 30,500 patients that use Zoloft (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Depression | 76% | 
|
| Anxiety | 38% |
|
| Panic Disorder | 3% |
|
| Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | 2% |
|
| Other | 10% |
|
How well does Zoloft work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 30,500 users taking Zoloft (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Zoloft outweigh the bad things.
- 18%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Zoloft.
Common Side Effects of Zoloft
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 30,500 users taking Zoloft (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
37% of patients experience side-effects on Zoloft
4% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Zoloft
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Sexual Problems
-
Weight Gain
-
Drowsiness
-
Fatigue
-
Loss of Libido
-
Insomnia
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdominal Pain, Anxiety, Balance/Coordination Problems, Chest Pain/Tightness, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Dryness, Grogginess/Confusion, Headache, Hot Flushes, Itch/Rash, Loss of Appetite, Memory/Speech Problems, Mood/Behavior Problems, Restlessness, Ringing Ears, Sweating, Tremor
Global Patient Feedback for Zoloft (Sertraline) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Effective--no problems or side effects
66 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-06 01:06:50
Question/Comment:
hi i am on sertraline 100mg and seroquel 150mg .i KEEP GETTING PAINS IN MY HANDS AND FEET , PLUS SWEATING AT NIGHT AND MENTAL DREAMS. anyone else
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-29 15:57:00
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Sertraline can cause vivid dreams. Tingling in the hands and feet can happen also. If the symptoms are affecting your quality of life, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss them and possibly adjust your medications.
Posted: 2009-10-27 16:51:17
Question/Comment:
I just started taking Zoloft a couple months ago, and I am very satisfied.I was having severe anxiety attacks out of nowhere. All of the sudden, without warning, I thought I was either having a heart attack or something worse. I felt like I was going to die. My heart raced, I began to sweat and just felt like I was in rising water, and was going to drown any minute. Its hard t explain the feeling, unless you have felt it before. But, after getting through the first few weeks of taking Zoloft, and settling in, I have not had any problems. At first I had bad migraines the first two weeks, and my doctor told me it was a sign of my brain chemistry adjusting to the medication. And she was right, as after the initial two weeks, the migraines went away, and so did the severe anxiety attacks. Thats all I wanted, no more attacks, and so far, no side effects at all.
47 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-14 20:39:49
Question/Comment:
This note is to I Guard-when I do a drug profile Zoloft is given an orange rating (4), But it is a blue (2) on the main page. I tried putting in just Zoloft, I may be only taking it and vitamins.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-14 12:59:10
Answer/Reply:
On my profile, it's been given a red rating. I think it's because of the interactions with other meds.
49 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-28 19:02:22
Question/Comment:
My 10 year old son has been taking zoloft for 5 years. His father and I agonized long and hard over the decision to start him on medication. He was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and has tried other anti-anxiety meds with zoloft having the best results with the least side effects. Although the drug has been critical to a "normal" anxiety free childhood for him, I worry about the possible long term effects. His dosage has been bumped up as he's grown and he is now taking 75mg daily (taking it in the am improves his sleeping). I don't have any experience with anti-anxiety drugs so I can't relate to what the effects are and would love some insight. He is becoming old enough now to express himself, but since he has been taking this for so long what he feels from this drug is normal for him. Our Dr. doesn't seem open to exploring different options as he gets older and I'm afraid of him being dependant on meds for his menal health his whole life. There is a history of undiagnosed anxiety, depression and OCD in the older generations of my family and their approach has been "just to deal with it" 15 years ago my brother commited suiside, so I take my son's diagnosis very seriously. I guess I'm looking for affirmation from someone who's been there, that zoloft is not going to be harmfull to my child in the long run.
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-09 12:04:56
Answer/Reply:
I am not sure if this will ease your mind or not but at 30 years old I started taking Zolft to help with Anxiety and depression after being diagnosed with UC. I stayed on it for 6 years and came off it on my own. I just recently decided to go back on it it again to help with anxiety. What I have felt and been told is that if you dont need it you wont see any difference. If you do need it sit back and feel better. If you son feels normal and you feel his actions are normal for a person of his age and his peers than he should be okay. If he is acting abnormal to anything then I would be concerned. JUst keep in close contact with your doctors and dont be afraid to get second opinions. 44 year old male
44 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-10 13:55:50
Answer/Reply:
I was put on Zoloft at 15 years old and then was sent to a rehabilitation center for 2 months at 16 years old. I have been on Zoloft for over 4 years, and I have to tell you, it's my savior. I am taking the max dose of 200mg a day because that dosage works for me. I also suffer from O.C.D., anixiety, bipolar aka manic depression), and depression. I couldn't imagine being off of Zoloft. I might have to be on it for the rest of my life. I have seen nothing wrong with it except happiness! You're child is very young, but so long as you continue to regularly see your doctor/psychiatrist about it and it is working, stay on it! My psychiatrist says that you don't want to fix something if it is not broken. If Zoloft is working, you don't want to go messing around with it. I hope this eases your mind!
19 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-14 09:01:20
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
114
Patient Comments about
Zoloft