[Double]

I was recently seen at the hospital for a panic attack. I was injected with Alprazolam and it helped significantly. I was prescribed some Xanax and told to see a doctor.

I saw the family doctor and he prescribed me another refill of Xanax (0.25mg Alprazolam), and 6 refills of generic Zoloft (50mg Sertraline), with plans on me seeing a psychiatrist in the coming months (because appointments are that difficult to set).

I like the Alprazolam. I like that it can be taken 'as needed', but the prescription count comes in so low (@25-30 capsules). I am assuming the Sertraline doesn't have addictive qualities like the Alprazolam does?

I haven't tried the Sertraline yet because I fear the warnings, and a lot of the posts here at PC mention some frightening things about it; i.e. growing immunity to it, vivid dreams, sideeffects with & without, etc. I've never been on maintenance drugs before, but this drug just sounds crazy. Are people blowing this drug out of proportion?

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[onionknight]

I honestly don't consider Zoloft one of the scarier drugs. Did you doctor tell you to start with a half dose for a week and then go up to the full 50mg? You should do that. It will minimize the initial shock to your system, which might produce the more painful side effects. Mostly on Zoloft I was insomnia and restlessness for a few days, then headaches and tiredness for some weeks after that. If you give your body time to gradually get used to it, you will have the best response.

Benzos (what Xanax is) can cause dependence and could result in you needing to take a higher dose to get the needed reaction. If you feel you really need sometime to control your anxiety or panic attacks, go with the Zoloft since it will be constantly acting in your system, not as need like the Xanax. Alternatively, you could take the Xanax as needed and work on non-drug techniques for controlling your panic attacks. You can get into therapy for that, try meditation, etc. (or some combo of med. and this).

A year ago, Zoloft was the first antidepressant I took. I was scared of it as well, but I took it because I felt things could only get better on it.

[gayleggg]

I took Zoloft for years until it finally quit working for me. I didn't have any bad side effects from it. In fact, I had less side effects from it than anything else I've taken.
Gayle

Zoloft is a common first antidepressant because for most patients it works well with minimal side effects. It really isn't a scary drug. Just note any side effect problems and keep in touch with your doc if you have any difficulties.

[pbutton]

I was scared to start it but did not have any scary side effects. I was amazed at how much better I felt. I hope you're able to give it a try.

[Quebec01]

For me, it was the antidepressant with the least side effects and the most efficient.It even made me lose a bit of weight (10 pounds) without doing anything in particular. I was able to work and felt normal.

[Double]

Originally Posted by onionknight

I honestly don't consider Zoloft one of the scarier drugs. Did you doctor tell you to start with a half dose for a week and then go up to the full 50mg? You should do that. It will minimize the initial shock to your system, which might produce the more painful side effects.

I agree, this is a good idea. My doctor never mentioned starting off at half (25mg), but the pharmacist did mention starting at 25mg and going from there.

Is it easy to stop taking this drug if there is no longer a need for it? What happens when the body has been taking it for months, but no longer gets it?

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This is a fairly friendly AD to withdraw from.

[Grey Matter]

Zoloft is not at all addictive, and has very minimal side effects. I've been on and off of it for a few years and just starting, the only side effects that got annoying were dry mouth, some sleepiness, and a bit of a headache. but after a week, that usually goes right away.

Zoloft has a short half life. If you stop taking it (you should never stop, but slowly come off of it) it will be out of your system with in 48 hours. If I am remembering correctly. But it does help with both anxiety AND depression, which is good. Good luck!

[sewerrats]

one of the best meds on it years before poop out, don't make you fat like this Lexapro I take now

[onionknight]

Is it easy to stop taking this drug if there is no longer a need for it? What happens when the body has been taking it for months, but no longer gets it?

If you decide to stop it, you will need to taper to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Your body will get used to functioning with the drug, and if you suddenly take it away, you will experience some form of discontinuation--although the severity differs by person.
Ideally, you'd want to go in smaller increments, but you'd at least want to go from 50mg to 25mg for a few weeks--maybe go from a whole pill to 75% of a pill, then 50% of pill and then 25%. It involves cutting the pill, but it is better safe than potentially suffering withdrawal.

This isn't meant to scare you away, but it is better to go in with full knowledge than to encounter contradicting evidence later. If the ad was prescribed by a gp, they do not have the knowledge of a psychiatrist when it comes to slowly going up or down. Although honestly, many pdocs don't know or care to share this info with you either.

[Double]

Originally Posted by onionknight

If you decide to stop it, you will need to taper to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Your body will get used to functioning with the drug, and if you suddenly take it away, you will experience some form of discontinuation--although the severity differs by person.
Ideally, you'd want to go in smaller increments, but you'd at least want to go from 50mg to 25mg for a few weeks--maybe go from a whole pill to 75% of a pill, then 50% of pill and then 25%. It involves cutting the pill, but it is better safe than potentially suffering withdrawal.

This isn't meant to scare you away, but it is better to go in with full knowledge than to encounter contradicting evidence later. If the ad was prescribed by a gp, they do not have the knowledge of a psychiatrist when it comes to slowly going up or down. Although honestly, many pdocs don't know or care to share this info with you either.

very helpful information right here, thanks for posting

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[Double]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I really appreciate it. I feel a little more comfortable about this drug now, which is what I needed

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