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What is Zoloft?

Zoloft also is known as sertraline belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works in such a way to restore the balance of certain neurotransmitters and hormones such as serotonin in the brain. Serotonin has an impact on many brain cells both directly and indirectly. Serotonin supports to regulate mood, social behavior, appetite, digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire and function. When there is serotonin deficiency you get problems with mood, sleep, appetite, fear, anxiety, and energy level. The way of treating serotonin deficiency is by taking SSRIs with doctor’s consultation. As mentioned earlier, Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), so it might help if you have the above issues.

Uses

Zoloft is mainly is an antidepressant drug. in addition, it is also helpful in treating panic disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

This medication has beneficial effects in improving your mood, sleep, appetite. It increases your mental health, keeps you away from unwanted thoughts, anxiety, panic, fear. Zoloft may be used for other variety of purposes.

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Side Effects

I have mentioned the common side effects of Zoloft,

• drowsiness
• feeling tired
• dizzy
• sweating
• agitation
• digestion problems
• nausea
• vomiting and diarrhea
• no appetite
• Hands shaking
• mild tremors
• insomnia
• decreased sex desire

Tell your doctor if these side effects last longer or when getting worse.

Some times people get serious side effects on long-time use or overdose use. Look out for the serious side effects and report to the doctor immediately without delay for emergency treatment. The following are some serious side effects

• irregular and heartbeat
• fainting
• unusual weight loss.
• easy bleeding or bruising
• Decreased sexual ability
• Pain or difficulty in orgasm
• ejaculation delay 
• muscle cramps
• weakness
• long tremors
• black or blood-colored stools
• vomiting over a long time
• pain in the eye with redness or swelling
• dilated pupils
• blurred vision
• seemed like seeing stars or rainbow colors in vision

Some people might get an allergy reaction to Zoloft, such as skin rashes, difficulty in breathing, fever, joint pain, unusual swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Seek emergency care if you get any of the allergies.

At times you overdose the serotonin in your blood increases and leads to serotonin toxicity. It is a very severe condition called serotonin syndrome. Rush to the doctor if you have the following symptoms

• fast irregular heart rate
• loss of coordination
• severe dizziness
• twitching muscles
• restlessness
• agitation
• hallucinations
• fever
• sweating, shivering,
• muscle stiffness
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

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Precaution

Usually, Zoloft causes drowsy, tired or dizzy feelings. After taking this drug to be attentive and do anything which makes you keep awake and alert while working.

Taking alcohol or marijuana can make you more drowsy. Avoid alcohol and other drugs such as marijuana. Discuss with your doctor if you are using marijuana before taking this drug.

Let your doctor know your complete medical history and all ongoing medications of any. Especially if you or anyone in your family has the manic-depressive disorder, bleeding problems, liver disease, seizure disorder, thyroid disease, history of glaucoma.

Make a note to the doctor if your planning to getting pregnant or pregnant with a baby. There are several risk factors during pregnancy while using this drug. If you are pregnant and using this drug use only at times of serious needs, because the drug may harm the baby severely. After delivery, the baby may develop withdrawal symptoms like crying continuously due to muscle pain, muscle stiffness, difficulty in breathing and feeding, convulsions (seizures). This drug passes through breast milk, consult the doctor if you have a nursing baby.

Do not stop taking the drugs without the advice of the doctor, it may even worsen your mood or mental health.

Zoloft and other drugs

If you are taking any medication for the bleeding problems, inform well ton the doctor, because you must avoid these medications as it increases the bleeding and easy bruising. I have made the list of medications for your note,

• warfarin or other anticoagulants
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
• aspirin
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• naproxen (Aleve)
• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• diclofenac
• indomethacin
• meloxicam

Is it good drinking alcohol while in depression?

It is not recommended to drink alcohol while in depression. As alcohol is a neurological suppressant and inhibits the neurological signals and the brain’s signal exchange system. This alters the ability to think and reason, so drinking makes your condition worse. Depression is not the one like sadness, it is even worse. Even a small step forward may lead to unexpected suicide thoughts and even death

The following  are the symptoms of depression worse:

• anxiety
• worthlessness
• fatigue
• no appetite
• weight gain or weight loss
• irritation
• feeling tired
• insomnia
• restlessness

These signs and symptoms of depression may get worse when you take alcohol at times of depression.

Even if you are not in depression and have Zoloft for other problems, with alcohol it is still not safe for you. It may even worse with depression, as it is a common symptom to other issues such as OCD or PTSD.

Is it safe to drink with Zoloft?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that it is not recommended to take Zoloft with alcohol. Because, both the drugs affect your brain. Zoloft and alcohol have similar effects on the brain both cause drowsy state, tired feeling, feel sleepy, and impair the ability to think and reason and sometimes may even lead to vomiting and nausea. When you take both alcohol and Zoloft together it may worsen your conditions.

Effects when Zoloft is taken with alcohol?

Zoloft works specifically on your neurotransmitters such as serotonin and enhances your mental health, social behavior, appetite, digestion, sleep, memory, energy level, and sexual function. Alcohol being a neurological suppressant inhibits the neurotransmitter and affects your mood, social well being, sleep and other mentioned problems above. This is why some people have impaired thinking and reasoning skills and difficulty in doing works when drunk. Alcohol drinking usually has these effects on your brain, taking drugs such as Zoloft while drinking could complicate and worsen these effects.

What are the consequences?

Zoloft and alcohol both act on brain functions and affect it.

Alcohol, a depressant, it suppresses the activity of certain chemical neurotransmitters in the brain, Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It affects the chemical constituents of the brain. Zoloft specifically increases serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is one of the main neurotransmitters. it involved in regulating mood, social behavior, mental state

While alcohol reduces neurotransmitter activity and reduces and impairs the mental and physical arousal or stimulation. The following effects are due to mixing Zoloft with alcohol.

• complete loss of muscle coordination (ataxia)
• decreased anxiety
• increased drowsiness or dizziness
• lowered inhibitions
• sleepiness or insomnia
• impaired memory
• decreased heart rate
• painless perception
• always in a euphoric state
• decreased blood pressure
• Difficulty in thinking
• Sometimes even death, with too much alcohol

Conclusion

Always do consult with your doctor. If you have any mental problems, don’t hesitate to go to the psychiatrist. If you are not treated properly the problems may get worse and affects both you and your family. Avoid drinking alcohol too much and at times of depression.

References: https://www.drugs.com/zoloft.html

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