What Are The Side Effects of Zoloft?

Zoloft is an anti-depressant used to treat conditions like anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic attacks or post-traumatic disorders. These mood disorders occur when there is a chemical imbalance in the brain that disturbs neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Zoloft belongs to a class of drugs called SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) that boosts the level of serotonin to help neurotransmitters process electrical messages more smoothly, thereby relieving conditions like depression and anxiety. However, before taking the prescription medicine one must be aware of Zoloft side effects that can affect everyone differently, so that they can prepare themselves and avoid any sudden changes in the body that lead to physical or psychological anomalies.

Here are a few primary Zoloft side effects:

Allergic reaction: Some users may immediately get an allergic reaction in the form of hives, skin rash, swelling or reddening of the lips, tongue and face and experience difficulty breathing as their throat swells up.

Tremors: They may notice a tingling in the hands and feet, feel pins and needles and get tremors after taking the pills.

Indigestion problems: Constipation, indigestion, bloating, flatulence, gas, nausea and diarrhea are common symptoms associated with the medicine.

Pain: Some users may experience persistent headaches, abdominal pain or sore throat when they take the medication.

Irregular heartbeat: This is a serious side effect where the person's heart may beat rapidly or he may feel irregular heartbeats.

Bleeding: If you notice sudden abnormal levels in bruising and bleeding, you should seek prompt medical attention.

Confusion: The medicine may not suit some users who may start to feel confused, hallucinate, become nervous or anxious, can't concentrate and have difficulty remembering things after taking the medicine.

Blurry vision: This is also a serious side effect and you must see a doctor immediately if your vision becomes blurry. This can also be followed by seizures which can lead to severe effects on the brain.

If you experience any of these Zoloft side effects, consult your doctor immediately and get medical help. Although most of these symptoms disappear in a few weeks, some people face long term side effects of Zoloft like changes in sleep patterns leading to either insomnia or extreme sleepiness, reduced interest in sex, decreased sex drive or failure to have an erection and changes in appetite. Zoloft weight gain is another side effect often noticed by users, which usually happens when one takes drugs like SSRIs. Some of these conditions are similar to Wellbutrin side effects, which is a medicine used to treat depression and can lead to dry mouth, allergies, headaches, fever, confusion and increased heartbeats. Here's a further explanation of what is Zoloft used for.

Even if you notice these side effects, do not stop taking the medicine suddenly, as without gradually tapering off the medication, Zoloft withdrawal symptoms may occur. They include nausea, lightheadedness, insomnia, anxiety, tremors, muscle aches and weakness, and may last from 2 weeks to even up to a month. A physician will create a tapering off schedule that will help your body adjust to the changes and prevent these symptoms. By following your doctor's instructions carefully, Zoloft can help you handle mood disorders effectively. Click here now to discover more side effects in medication.