How to Take Zoloft for Depression

Zoloft is one of the most often prescribed drugs to treat depression. It falls under a category of pharmaceuticals known as Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. These drugs work to correct a chemical imbalance in the human brain that can cause severe and long-term depression.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Dropper
• Zoloft, either in capsule or oral concentrate form
• 4 ounces of liquid

Treat Depression With the Capsule Form of Zoloft

1. Take your Zoloft capsule either in the morning or at night. You should try to take it on a full stomach and at the same time every day.
2. Swallow the Zoloft capsule with a mouthful of water. Continue drinking the glass of water so that the capsule makes it down to your stomach.

Treat Deepression With the Oral Concentrate Form of Zoloft

3. Use a dropper to measure out the amount of Zoloft prescribed by your doctor.
4. Mix the oral concentrate with 4 ounces of one of the following liquids: water, ginger ale, lemon and lime soda, lemonade or orange juice.
5. Drink the mixture immediately. The Zoloft/liquid mixture may appear hazy. This is normal.

Tips & Warnings

• It may take up to 4 weeks to feel results from Zoloft.
• Take Zoloft at the same time every day. It is important to establish a habit of taking the medicine. If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as possible. If more than 3 or 4 hours have passed after your usual dosage time, skip that dosage. Never increase your Zoloft dosage to make up for a missed one.
• The normal starting dosage is 50 mg per day. A doctor may prescribe up to 100 mg per day, depending on your body's response.
• The dosage for children aged 6 to 12 is usually 25 mg. Children and teenagers aged 13 to 17 typically take 50 mg per day. The dosage is adjusted by the doctor for each individual case.
• You should not drink alcoholic beverages while taking Zoloft.
• Talk to you doctor before taking any over the counter medicine while you are on Zoloft. The two medicines may interact with each other and produce serious side effects or allergic reactions.
• Never take oral concentrate Zoloft with any other liquid other than those listed in the instructions.
• Only take Zoloft as prescribed by your doctor.
• Zoloft is only approved for treating depression in adults over the age of 18. It may be used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in children aged 6 to 17, but under different guidelines.
• Possible side effects include sweating, indigestion, nausea and vision problems. Contact your doctor if you think you are experiencing any side effects.
• Do not stop taking Zoloft without the approval of your doctor. Suddenly cutting off treatment may result in various mental side effects.

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