Chances are that if you have been diagnosed as having a major depression (classified by doctors as being a persistently low mood that interferes with everyday living whose symptoms can include loss of interest in your usual activities, disturbed sleep, a change in appetite, continual fidgeting or lethargic movement, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, a difficulty in thinking or being able to concentrate, and reoccurring thoughts of suicide). If you have discovered that you are experiencing insomnia as a result of its use, or are experiencing it after discontinuing Zoloft, you are not alone in the symptoms you are experiencing.
Zoloft is also prescribed to treat the following problems:
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition which is characterized by a depressed mood, anxiety or tension, emotional instability, and anger or irritability in the two weeks just prior to your period.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (unwanted thoughts which won't go away and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions, like washing hands or counting things).
- Panic disorder (unexpected attacks of overwhelming anxiety, accompanied by the fear of their return).
- Social anxiety disorder (an extreme shyness exhibited in social situations like the extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of them that interferes with the individual's work and social life).
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (re-experiencing a dangerous or life-threatening situation where you have intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and intense psychological distress).
Zoloft (whose generic name is sertraline hydrochloride and which is also sold under the names Lustral, Apo-Sertral, Asentra, Gladem, Serlift, Stimuloton, Xydep, Serlain, and Concorz) belongs to a class of antidepressant drugs called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers which is believed to govern a person’s moods. Under normal circumstances, it is quickly reabsorbed after it is released at the junctures between nerves. Re-uptake inhibitors like Zoloft slow down this process, boosting the levels of serotonin which are available in the brain. In 2006 it was the most prescribed antidepressant on the U.S. retail market with 28,060,000 prescriptions. The patent for the Zoloft brand of sertraline hydrochloride expired in June of 2006, and it is now available in a generic form.
Improvement of your symptoms while taking Zoloft may not be seen for several days or a few weeks. Once on it, you should expect to keep taking it for at least several months, unless you should develop a sensitivity to it. If you develop any of the following symptoms (which could be side effects of the drug) contact your doctor immediately. Side effects can include abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, constipation, a decreased sex drive, diarrhea or loose stools, difficulty with ejaculation, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, gas or bloating, headache, decreased appetite, increased sweating, indigestion, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, pain, rash, sleepiness, sore throat, tingling or pins and needles, tremor, vision problems, and vomiting
Some people can lose a pound or two of body weight while taking Zoloft. This usually is not a problem, but could be something to worry about if your depression has already caused you to lose a great deal of weight.
Like all antidepressants, Zoloft could trigger a manic episode. Tell your doctor immediately if you've ever had this problem.
As with other SSRIs, if you must discontinue Zoloft therapy, get the approval and advice of your doctor first. When stopping your antidepressant you not only run the risk of having withdrawal symptoms, but also a possible return of your original symptoms. If your doctor has given you permission to stop, discuss how you should proceed by gradually decreasing your dosage over time to allow your body to slowly adjust as the medication leaves your system. Get a specific schedule for discontinuing your antidepressant. Zoloft has a half-life of about one day, which means that for every day which passes without you taking the medication, the level in your blood drops by 50%. For example, after one day the level in your blood is reduced to 50% of the original level, after two days to 25%, after three days to 12.5%, and so on.
Among the withdrawal symptoms that you may experience if you stop abruptly are nausea, tremors, lightheadedness, muscle pains, weakness, insomnia, and anxiety. The withdrawal symptoms will usually last 1 to 2 weeks but in some instances they may gradually decrease over a period that can last as long as a month.
As you can see, Zoloft insomnia can be caused for a number of reasons while taking or discontinuing the drug. Be sure to consider its use carefully, and only have it prescribed by a doctor familiar with its use. If you decide this drug is not for you, there are other medications your doctor can recommend.
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