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Patient Information for Generic Zoloft
Sertraline (SER-tra-leen)
Generic Zoloft treats depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and panic disorder. Generic Zoloft is an antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
Brand Name(s):Zoloft There may be other brand names for this medicine.
When Generic Zolofte Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Generic Zoloft if you have had an allergic reaction to sertraline or if you are also using pimozide (Orap®). You should not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days. Do not use the liquid form of sertraline if you are also using disulfiram (Antabuse®).
How to Use Generic Zoloft:Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one. Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.If a dose is missed: If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra Generic Zoloft to make up for a missed dose.
Storage and Disposal of Generic Zoloft: Store Generic Zoloft in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed. Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.Drugs and Foods to Avoid: Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cimetidine (Tagamet®), digitoxin, linezolid (Zyvox®), lithium, phenytoin (Dilantin®), pimozide (Orap®), St. John's wort, sumatriptan (Imitrex®), tolbutamide, tramadol (Ultram®), tryptophan, or valproate (Depacon®). Tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or other medicine for depression such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®. Your doctor will need to know if you are using medicine for heart rhythm problems such as flecainide, propafenone, Rythmol®, or Tambocor®. Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a pain or arthritis medicine (sometimes called “NSAIDs”) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Bextra®, Celebrex®, Ecotrin®, or Motrin®. Tell your doctor if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days. Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
Warnings While Using Generic Zoloft: Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have seizures, liver disease, bleeding problems, hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood), or a history of drug abuse. For some children, teenagers, and young adults, Generic Zoloft can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor or your child's doctor right away if you or your child start to feel more depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourselves. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you or your child, especially if they are new or are getting worse quickly. Make sure the doctor knows if you or your child have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you or your child have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. Let the doctor know if you, your child, or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried to commit suicide. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex rubber. The oral liquid form of this medicine has a latex rubber dropper. Generic Zoloft may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. Do not stop using Generic Zoloft suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Possible Side Effects While Using Generic Zoloft: Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects: Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing; Blistering, peeling, red skin rash; Change in how much or how often you urinate; Chest pain; Fast or pounding heartbeat; Muscle stiffness, twitching, shaking, or uncontrolled muscle movements; Painful, prolonged erection of your penis, or trouble having sex; Severe confusion, sweating, diarrhea, or fever; Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness; Unusual thoughts, behavior, restlessness, nervousness, aggressive behavior, or anger; If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor: Decreased interest in sex; Dry mouth; Headache or dizziness; Loss of appetite; Mild diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; Tiredness; Trouble sleeping; Weight loss.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Generic Zoloft, tell your doctor.
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