Zoloft - Kelsey Schaefer

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Zoloft is an antidepressant that treats anxiety and depression. Zoloft is in a group of Antidepressants called SSRI’s or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors¹. SSRI’s are described at ‘selective’ since they only affect the serotonin reuptake pumps. This reduces the side effects¹. SSRIs have an advantage over other antidepressants in the way that their toxic dose is high. This makes it much harder to attempt suicide with them¹. In the brain, messages between nerve cells pass through a gap between the cells called the chemical synapse. The presynaptic cell releases neurotransmitters like serotonin into the synapse¹. These are then recognized by the postsynaptic cell¹. SSRI’s inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, therefore the serotonin stays in the synaptic gap longer than it usually would¹. When serotonin levels are higher we feel happier and when they are lower we feel more depressed. 

Zoloft is often prescribed first at 25mg then can be increased to a maximum dose of 200mg per day. Since Zoloft metabolizes and affects people differently, they have no specific amount that is lethal. An overdose usually occurs when someone has ingested over 200mg per day. Serious overdoses can cause vomiting, tiredness, loss of full control of bodily movements, fast heart rate and seizures⁴. To confirm poisoning they look at the concentrations of sertraline in the blood⁴.

  SSRI’s also have fewer side effects. Tricyclic antidepressants increase the risk for serious cardiovascular side effects¹. There are many coping mechanisms when dealing with anxiety that can help one stay away from medication. These can be different for different people. Common coping mechanisms include avoiding nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, eating properly, getting an adequate amount of sleep, exercising regularly, deep breathing, mindfulness, talk therapy and of course understanding yourself and your worries².  

References 

¹Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_serotonin_reuptake_inhibitor (accessed Oct 30, 2016).

²Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Symptoms, Self Help, and Treatment to Break Free from Chronic Anxiety http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad.htm (accessed Oct 30, 2016).

³@ghchealth. The Vicious Truth About Antidepressants and Violent Behavior http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/the-vicious-truth-about-antidepressants-and-violent-behavior/ (accessed Oct 30, 2016).

⁴Sertraline. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sertraline#Overdose (accessed Oct 30, 2016).