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Zoloft |
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- Description - |
Zoloft is prescribed for major depressive disorder--a persistently low moodthat interferes with everyday living. Symptoms may include loss of interestin your usual activities, disturbed sleep, change in appetite, constant fidgetingor lethargic movement, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficultythinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide.
Zoloft is also used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsivedisorder--symptoms of which include unwanted thoughts that won'tgo away and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions,such as hand-washing or counting. It is also prescribed for the treatment of panic disorder(unexpected attacks of overwhelming anxiety, accompaniedby fear of their return), and for posttraumatic stress disorder (re-experiencing a dangerous orlife-threatening event through intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, andintense psychological distress).
Zoloft is a member of the family of drugs called "selective serotoninre-uptake inhibitors." Serotonin is one of the chemical messengersbelieved to govern moods. Ordinarily, it is quickly reabsorbed after itsrelease at the junctures between nerves. Re-uptake inhibitors such asZoloft slow this process, thereby boosting the levels of serotoninavailable in the brain. |
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- Common Side Effects - |
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Agitation,anxiety,constipation,decreased sex drive,diarrhea or loose stools,difficulty with ejaculation,dizziness,dry mouth,fatigue,gas,headache,decreased appetite,increased sweating,indigestion,insomnia,nausea,nervousness,rash,sleepiness,tingling or pins and needles,tremor,vision problems,vomiting |
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- Possible Interactions - |
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Diazepam (Valium)
Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
Flecainide (Tambocor)
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
MAO inhibitor drugs such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate
Other serotonin-boosting drugs such as Paxil and Prozac
Other antidepressants such as Elavil and Serzone
Over-the-counter drugs such as cold remedies
Propafenone (Rythmol)
Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Tolbutamide (Orinase)
Warfarin (Coumadin)
If you are using the oral concentrate form of Zoloft, do not takedisulfiram (Antabuse)
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- Manufacturer - |
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Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals Group |
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235 East 42nd Street |
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New York, NY 10017-5755 |
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USA |
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