How and When to take Zoloft (Sertraline) | What Patients Need to Know

Zoloft, or Sertraline in its generic form, is a commonly used medication for mental health conditions including; depression and anxiety disorders. In this video Dr Hart-Pinto answers the most common questions on Zoloft including:

• How and when should you take your Sertraline
• How long does it take for the medication to working?
• How long will you need to take my medication?
• Are there any side effects?

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#Zoloft #Sertraline #MentalHealth

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
00:49 What is Sertraline? ( ZOLOFT )
01:28 Is ZOLOFT / Sertraline safe for me?
02:09 Is it safe to take Sertraline with my current medications?
02:56 What is the correct dose of Sertraline?
03:18 How long does Sertraline take to work?
03:40 How and when to take Sertraline
04:00 Are there any foods I should avoid?
04:15 Can I Drink Alcohol with this medication?
04:25 I have missed my dose. What should I do?
04:39 I have accidentally taken too much medication.
04:57 How long will I need to take my medication?
05:25 Side Effects of Sertraline ( ZOLOFT )
06:52 Legal Disclaimer
07:17 End Screen

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Further Reading - Resources for Patients

NHS

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Last updated 7th Feb 2022

Next review date is 7th Feb 2025

Author: Dr Andrew Hart Pinto

Internally peer-reviewed: Dr Najeebah Jaunbocus 6th Feb 2022.

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Patient Information videos produced by GMC registered/Certified Doctors.

Videos cover definitions, aetiology, symptoms, clinical features, management, prognosis and complications of a wide variety of medical topics.

Authors:
1. Dr. A. Hart-Pinto MBChB (Hons) BSc (Hons) MRCS
2. Dr. Najeebah Jaunbocus MBChB MRCGP

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Legal Disclaimer

JHP Medical UK contains content generated by our doctors. Content provided via YouTube is for general information purposes ONLY. Information videos are not produced to provide individualised medical advice. Medical education videos on JHP Medical UK are not a substitute for professional professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. NEVER ignore professional medical advice because of something you have heard here. ALWAYS consult your doctor regarding any concerns about your condition or treatment.

Reasonable effort shall be made to update the information on the JHP Medical UK YouTube channel. However, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content is accurate, complete or up-to-date.

[JHPMedicalUK]

Hi, thanks for watching. JHP Medical has NO AFFILIATION with drug manufacturers (AKA BIG PHARMA), and we NEVER will. Our only AIM is to educate patients about their medications. We do NOT recommend or endorse any medication discussed, nor can we provide individual medical advice. Instead, the information provided here is intended to assist patients in making clear, informed decisions with their doctors.

[violam]

Hi! I’m a 21 year old Italian girl andI’ve been taking Zoloft (50 mg) for three months now. I suffered from severe depression, anxiety and binge eating.
I constantly isolated myself from people and my life was a nightmare so I finally dedicate to take this medication.

I feel so much better and I’m socialising a lot more than before. I feel like I’m living my life.
I surprisingly lost a lot of weight, maybe because I stopped binging all day.

Mental health is so important.

[victoriawilson]

Anyone starting this medication should be aware that it in fact takes a good three MONTHS for Sertraline to take full effect. It can also be quite a bumpy ride to get to that point but the results ARE worth it.

[glossy_aesthetics]

I have been taking sertraline for depression, anxiety and ocd. It's been 7 months and now I'm feeling so much better with this medication. I'm so thankful to this medication. It really saved my life❤

[dylansimms]

I started using Sertraline about a month and a half ago and I haven’t felt this normal in years and haven’t had any of these side affects

[mjcq]

I’ve dealt with anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, ocd, and who know how many other things for ~10 years and I’ve never been treated. I’ve dealt with it in silence and if people only knew what went on in my head I’d probably be in a psych ward, and I wouldn’t complain (if I’m being honest), many times I’ve desperately wanted to be admitted into one. Anyways, I had an appointment yesterday with a new pcp and he sent me the prescription; I just took half of a 50mg, it’ll be that for a week and then 50mg for 82 days and after reading these comments, I’m terrified.

Update: I’m one week in and I haven’t felt like this in years… I felt like I was woken up from a spell and I’m slowly recovering and feeling like myself again, I’m feeling calm and concentrated. Every day I feel better 🙌🏻

[m.n.]

Saved my life. It started working within the first few days of taking it. I'm only getting 50mg/d. When it kicked in I couldn't stop smiling, after years of depression, anxiety and suicide attepts, it was truly surreal. For a long time, I had been feeling like my former self had died and I was stranger in this body. But Sertraline made me feel like myself again. I've been on the medication for 1, 5 year and the plan seems for me to stay on it indefinitely?

[TheOpenRoadExperience]

I was diagnosed two days ago, and today marks my second day of treatment. After a month of struggling to sleep for a full 7 hours, I finally experienced my most restful night tonight.

[WouldntULikeToKnow.]

I'm taking sertraline for anxiety and started at a lower dose (25 mg instead of 50 mg) because it was bothering my stomach. Every week I increased my dose until I'm at 200 mg after a month. Definitely happy with results so far.

[themkvleli]

Very well delivered and informative video. I started Zoloft 3 days ago for extreme morning panic attacks/depression and I'm hopeful. Thank you for this video.

[selinaplahe]

I’m 22 and suffer from bad anxiety and depersonalisation, I got prescribed these yesterday and I’m in absolute tears about taking them, I’m shaking and so nervous, I’ve heard really scary stories but then really good ones…😢

[Quantumfluxfield]

Used it for 10 years now, not sure if it saved or ruined my life. I think for most people it helps, maybe even for me, but the last 6 months I have been back 10 years to how bad I was then. Maybe I need to increase the dose? Like today I had a good morning, then I take sertralin and my head feels so weird so I end up in bed. My hope is to get off it entirely, but thats unlikely with my extreme anxiety. Considering to try Lexapro but the thought of swapping is incredibly scary. Maybe I need to try take it in the evening so I can sleep to through the worst, though I already have nightmares every single day for 10 years.. What a way to live, my heart goes out to anyone struggeling out there. 😔

[briandavenport]

Sertraline took 6 months to work for me. It’s a very slow process, so don’t expect to feel better in weeks. The onboarding side affects are horrible. They lasted about a month and a half.

[IAmGab]

I’m diagnosed with MDD Major Depressive Disorder & GAD Generalize Anxiety Disorder. I’m taking Sertraline for 3 weeks now and it’s helping me i can feel the effect.

[louiseebbett]

I've been on Sertraline for maybe two years where my dosage now is 200mgs a day which was slowly increased over time, after taking other antidepressants this is by far the best and most agreeable. The dosage it high, yes I know but I have had huge trauma, I also take 50mgs of quietalapine every night, these drugs have put normal back into my life

[aseimanova]

Zoloft helped me with my anxiety and severe panic attacks (somatic syndrome), but didn’t help my depression at all, i just started to feel even more numb, didn’t care about anything and it felt like just existing without any emotions at all

[GZU]

Got these today, my problem is just my anxiety basically overthinking, scared to take them tho as my bad and sad thoughts only come when i'm sat down or thinking, seeing a lot of people have side effects can someone explain

[deannayoung]

For me sertralien is a life saver
I suffer from sever PTSD
It's a amazing how this tiny little pill
Changed my life" for the better 🥰

[raulgutierrez]

I hope those reading this can understand that you as a person are not weird or wrong. There is a legitimate chemical unbalance in your brain causing a real medical scientific sickness. Just as how cancer is a medical sickness. Do not feel judged for taking the drug zoloft. For those that judge you they HAVE NO IDEA what it's like because if they did there would be nothing buy support and respect

[dougie-thugie]

5 days in, I'm waking up multiple times a night with anxiety, unexplainable anxiety, I'm taking it first thing in the morning.