Introduction:
Zoloft is a drug manufactured by a renowned brand Pfizer. Several Pharma companies are delivering endless generics of the sertraline brand. All work with a base mechanism of sertraline with slight potency differences.
It is benefiting many with depression. It does possess various uses that are potentially approved by the FDA. But it works by stabilizing the mood issues and depression symptoms.
Zoloft has helped several people combat depression and related issues for a long time. Every drug acts differently in regards to effects, side effects in an individual.
Further, every dosage might not produce the same effects on two individuals. Zoloft can be prescribed from 25 mg to 200mg daily dosage after a complete evaluation of the symptoms and severity of the condition.
What does Zoloft consist of?
Zoloft consists of a drug named sertraline which in real falls in the category of drugs that are inhibitors of serotonin. Which is known to prevent further reuptake of serotonin levels by neutrons in the brain.
This drug is equipped to help in all sorts of mood and mind related worries. It balances the abrupt neurological chemicals which a body tends to generate in wrong quantities leading to diseases like depression, anxiety, panic attacks, etc.
Mechanism of action of Zoloft:
Zoloft acts by increasing the serotonin levels or concentration in the body specifically in the brain. Neurons that send and receive signals in the brain get surrounded by more levels of serotonin. It helps in stabilizing all sorts of mood issues and depression levels of a person fall gradually upon regular therapy.
So in a way, Zoloft helps in balancing the unbalanced chemical levels like serotonin levels in the body. It fixes the serotonin levels to normal that is desired to lead a healthy life without any symptoms of depression.
Uses of Zoloft:
Zoloft is used for indications like mild to severe levels of depression and helps to treat a major depressive disorder.
- It helps in combating anxiety, panic attack, and social anxiety disorders. It controls the nervousness and other related symptoms and keeps levels of serotonin under control which triggers anxiety.
- It elevates the mood of the person related to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and other issues.
- It effectively treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and even post-traumatic stress disorder.
- It helps with appetite and improves the overall quality of life while the person juggles with anxiety and depression related issues.
Side effects of Zoloft:
Every drug has its own linked unwanted side effects. In some rare cases Zoloft also cause side effects:
- It might trigger headaches, nausea, drowsiness, or even insomnia at times, diarrhea, etc.
- Zoloft must not be consumed with other drugs like aspirin, warfarin, phenytoin, diazepam, and other antidepressants, because it might cause drug interactions. That can further trigger muscle tremors, hallucinations, and bleeding.
- Abruptly stopping Zoloft is not a good idea as it might trigger discontinued symptoms like vivid dreams, extreme nausea, insomnia, etc.
- In some cases, suicidal tendencies or behavior also develop over time, but there are other factors of medicines that contribute too. So a proper observation is a mandatory while on Zoloft therapy.
Can Zoloft stay in your system for long?
Zoloft is potentially equipped with a half-life of more than a day. It can stay inside the system for enough time to show up persistent effects. Once consumed 50 mg of Zoloft its amount in the bloodstream falls to half after 24 to 27 hours.
So the action of the drug keeps going for another 24 to 30 hours even if the drug is not consumed. But the levels by then will fall to further half.
So the effects of the drug might also fall about falling with a dose if the next recommended dose is not consumed. The therapy must always be consumed as prescribed by the doctor to get maximum effects from it.
How Long Does Zoloft Stay in Your System?
The action of Zoloft starts immediately once the pill is consumed and absorbed in the system. Because it immediately starts preventing the reabsorption of serotonin levels by the neurological receptors of the brain.
It causes the levels of serotonin to increase in the space around rural synapse or from where to and fro messages are sent to the brain and the entire body.
However, the actual effects of decrease are levels of depression and other related symptoms might take from two to four weeks to show visible effects. Every person might respond to different symptoms. Some people show more quick and instant results than others.
That happens because Zoloft not only decreases reuptake but also increases the number of receptors. So it takes 2 to 4 weeks for the drug to alter the brain and make more receptors to understand the more level of serotonin present there.
Finally, when it happens a brain of the person appears normal without much feeling of depression. That is when the real visible effects show up of the drug almost after a couple of weeks or so.
So the results might take little time to show up but the drug begins its work immediately.
Tip: Always adhere to the recommended dosage and avoid any missed dose or overdose. If you miss any dose do not consume two doses the very next day that might trigger some unwanted side effects.
Conclusion:
Zoloft works an effective antidepressant and anti-anxiety pill with minimal chances of drowsiness. Several other antidepressant drugs are available in the market trigger a great level of drowsiness. That affects the work-life and even in a way impairs the normal quality of life is on such drowsy medicines.
Zoloft lives up to its recommended indications. Although the results might be slightly different depending on the medical history and other parameters involved. But while on the drug it is very important to follow the dosage therapy and avoid any contraindicated drugs to decrease the chances of drug interactions.
With a half-life of 24 hours and more, it is suggested to keep a gap of at least 24 hours between two dosages and avoid any chance of an overdose. So sticking with the therapy not only eventually shows effects but also keeps you safe and without any side effects.