Zoloft

[Mia713]

So I've been taking Zoloft for the past 3 weeks or so to help with my depression and mood swings. I really like the way it helps me handle things. Instead of freaking out and acting like it is the end of the world if something small goes wrong, I am calm and shrug it off, "hey, its no big deal". I like how I am on this medicine, and my boyfriend does too. I would recommend Zoloft to anyone who is feeling like they need something to help stabilize their moods.

 

[Retired]

Zoloft (sertraline) is an effective SSRI anti depressant well tolerated by many people.? One consideration for anyone taking Zoloft, is that SSRIs (including Zoloft sertraline) are potent inhibitors of the hepatic isoenzyme P450-2D6 and would be expected to have effects on the clearance of drugs metabolized by this enzyme.

The practical aspect of this interaction is that many prescription and even over the counter medications are metabolized by this enzyme, so it would be recommended to consult one of the many drug interaction checkers online to ensure you are not experiencing drug interactions.

Be sure to mention to all your physicians and pharmacists the list of medications you take, to avoid drug interactions, which can reduce the effectiveness of some meds or cause unexpected side effects when interacting medications are taken together.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

I'm very happy to hear that it's working for you, Mia. It must be a real relief to you to feel more in control of your feelings and emotional reactions.

 

[Rosa]

I'm glad to hear you've found something that works for you. I've been on Zoloft for about two years now and I too, think its a good medication.
I hope it continues to work so well for you.
Rosa

 

[Mia713]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I finally am starting to feel like I have control over my life and my emotions.

 

[Peanut]

That is really great news that Zoloft is working so well for you Mia!

I actually have a Zoloft question too...my mother had been on Zoloft for about 10 years (a pretty heavy dose). She was always in a super good mood. Due to changes in insurance coverage she had to switch to a different anti depressant or pay a lot more for Zoloft. Her primary care doctor chose Prozac to put her on. Is that comparable to Zoloft? The reason I ask is that now my mom seems really depressed. Granted, she has every reason to be, her mother died, family estrangements, etc...but I can't help but wonder if the change in anti depressents is exacerbating the down mood.

Is Prozac a good alternative to Zoloft?

 

[Retired]

Is Prozac a good alternative to Zoloft?

As you know both medications are in the same class of meds, Selective Seretonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI)

How long has the switch to been? The half life of Prozac (fluoxetine) is longer than that of Zoloft (sertraline) and requires a couple of weeks to achieve a steady state blood level...the point where the amount eliminated equals the amount ingested.

The interesting thing about SSRI's is that they do not necessarily have the same effectiveness in all people, and it is not uncommon for the doctor to change from one to another until the right compound is found for a particular person.

The options your mother might consider would be to ask for a referral to a specialist who can fine tune the dosage or change to another compound which will relieve her symptoms. Though most Family Physician's have a good working knowledge of SSRI's, if a patient has difficulty tolerating the medication or needs changes to control symptoms, a specialist such as a Psychiatrist usually has a better degree of expertise in managing this type of medication.

Depending on your mother's financial means, she may be eligible to apply to the manufacturer of the medication she tolerates best for a compassionate supply. This would have to be pursued through her physician.

In any case, your mother should see her physician and report the change in mood in addition to the added current stressors in her life. Continued communication with the prescribing physician is the best way to manage one's treatment, because situations change, resulting in changes to the treatment plan.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

To add to TSOW's comments, I would say that there's no reason normally to expect that Prozac would not be a good alternative to Zoloft - it might even have some benefits, But as you not, she is dealing with some additional stressors and triggers at the moment and no reasonable amount of medication will shield her from all of the fallout of those factors.

 

[Peanut]

Thank you both for answering.? I'm relieved to know that at least her general doctor was heading in the right direction.? I agree that she should see a psychiatrist, and I suggested such, but she seems unwilling to go (although she was always all for me going).? I think now, that she is simply too depressed to "put in all the energy to find someone" as she put it.? It's been about a month since the death and 3 weeks since the medication change.?

It is hard to watch a formerly happy person become such a shell of who they usually are.? I had also encouraged her about the good effects (I had heard about) of the Prozac, but at this point I think I can safely say she is not experiencing any good effects from it.? She used to be almost overly happy with Zoloft-nothing could bother her, ever.? The change in her is just really extreme.?

Thanks again for your answers.? They were very helpful.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

She made need to adjust the dose of Prozac, too - do you know how much she's taking now? Perhaps she would be willing to discuss that with her doctor. After three weeks, she should be seeing benefits, since this isn't her first SSRI.

 

[Retired]

An additional option I failed to include before was to suggest if your mother was doung well on Prozac fluoxetine, and her insurance coverage did not support the cost of Prozac, perhaps the pharmacist could offer a less expensive generic version of fluoxetine.

 

[Peanut]

Alright, I found out that she was taking 100mg Zoloft and then switched and is now taking 20mg of the generic for Prozac.

TSOW--My mom has never taken Prozac before the switch 3 weeks ago.

She seems to be receptive/interested in your guys' advice, so that is encouraging.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

100 mg is not a high dose for Zoloft - 20 mg of Prozac is pretty standard and if the Zoloft was working for her at that dose I'd expect the Prozac would as well.

Has she asked her doctor about this? There are some other SSRIs with generics by now if the Prozac doesn't suit her...

 

[Peanut]

Oh, wow, we didn't realize that those were comparable doses.? I guess she said that she'll give it another month.? So far she's been sleeping a lot, stopped working out, and is making snide remarks all of the time (she lives with me) that are totally uncharacteristic of her...she just seems totally depressed.? ? I'm just worried about her--this is pretty much the first time that she's depended on me to be the "rock", usually it's the other way around.? I just don't want to let her down.? She had to also give away her dog (which I had to arrange) and she cannot seem to let go of it.? This was 3 weeks ago and she cried even harder then than when my grandma died and is continuing to dwell on it.? She appears sick or tired looking too.? You can just see it.? I have never seen her like this before.? She had said she was worried that giving away her dog would send her into a deep depression that she would not recover from--and apparently it is looking like that is exactly what happened.? Two months ago she was the happiest person that I knew.

Anyway, thank you SO MUCH for the advice.? It is definitely helpful.? Like I said before, I'm glad to hear that the Prozac and dosage were possibly on the right track (although why isn't it working?!?!).?

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Hard to say. I would recommend she either talk to her doctor now or wait another week and if she's still not feeling better ask about another option.

 

[Peanut]

OK, thanks a million Dr. B.

 

[Peanut]

Well I just wanted to say that the Prozac never did work and that my mom finally just now saw her regular doctor and got an exception approved from her insurance. It is a really good thing because I think she is going to kill someone very soon. The difference in her on Zoloft vs Prozac is really jaw dropping. I have to be constantly on the lookout for flying daggers and dishes . The upside is that she's finally really letting my uncles have it On Zoloft she's very complacent and happy but on the Prozac she even got talked to for intimidating a coworker during a meeting by staring at them while they were talking and snapping a pencil in half while she was staring at them.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Yikes! :shocked:

 

[Halo]

Hey Toeless...it sounded like you had your hands full. Glad to hear that she is going back to the Zoloft and getting off of the Prozac. Obviously Zoloft is a much better fit for her. I also liked what you said about your uncles....as you know that I can relate to that one.

Nancy

 

[Peanut]

Yikes indeed!? ?I can hardly wait until the Zoloft arrives.? Last night there was another incident

also liked what you said about your uncles....as you know that I can relate to that one.

LOL--yeah!? I'm encouraging her to contact them and laugh every time she does!
I guess there is justice in the world after all!