been on it for 4 years and i get withdraws when i am not on it.
2006-09-01 04:18:37 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
It is not considered an addicting drug, but you build a level up for it and should wean slowly off of it.
2006-09-01 04:20:15 · answer #1 · answered by Snuffy Smith 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Q. How long does it take for Zoloft to wear off?
A. Zoloft has a half-life of about one day. That means that for every day that passes without taking the medication the level in the blood falls by 50%. After one day the level is reduced to 50% of the original level, after two days to 25%, after three days to 12.5%, and so on.
When one stops Zoloft too rapidly a withdrawal syndrome may develop. Among the symptoms that may be experienced are nausea, tremors, lightheadedness, muscle pains, weakness, insomnia, and anxiety. The withdrawal symptoms usually last 1-2 weeks but in some instances they may gradually decrease over a period as long as a month. It is generally recommended that one taper off this medication gradually under a doctor's supervision. Check with your own personal physician for specific instructions.
2006-09-01 04:39:14 · answer #2 · answered by Zelda 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not in the technical sense. The FDA does not admit that it is. It is not so much addicting,however withdrawal can be rough.I took zoloft for 5 years and came off of it and now just started taking it again. My withdrawal symptoms were hard they included vomiting,electric like "zaps" in your head,depression and the list goes on. If it works for you there is no reason to stop taking it, However if you must get off of it do it under a doctors supervision and wean off slowly. It is hard but it can be done.
2006-09-01 04:24:15 · answer #3 · answered by thissoutherngurl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been on it for 10 years, stopped using periodically and didn't experience any withdrawal symptoms when I stopped.. We are all different and it affects us in different way, I would talk to your doctor, describe what's your experiencing. Doc may want to know why you discontinue using? There have been times where I've wondered why I'm taking it because its not the same as say a pain medication where you feel the results. I've stopped using for for that reason and also the sexual side effects.
2006-09-01 04:33:13 · answer #4 · answered by gamerunner2001 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ya i know the feeling, i'm on it as well...and no its not addictive, if you were in need of it then yes and craved then yes, but withdrawls are different, i went off of it for a few days just recently and i got dizzy and my anxiety came back but its just because the zoloft help that so much the things that were wrong with me before just came back...the zoloft is helping you, but if your really concerned talk to your doctor about it
2006-09-01 04:22:50 · answer #5 · answered by *<3_Gizmo* 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will "come down" off the effects of having taken it for so long, sometimes to the detriment of your mental and emotional state for a while, worse than the effects of what you are being treated for to begin with. You have to decrease your dose which causes depression and anxiety.
I think it makes people act weird and it is quite obvious too...
too bad they never see it in themselves while on it. I hate Zoloft!
2006-09-01 04:21:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took zoloft for 4 years as well. Took my awhile to figure out how to come off of it. I did get withdrawls as well. You have to slowely decrease your dosage over a 4-6 week period. Then you will still feel really depressed and full of anxiety for a couple of more weeks. Stick with it and you will get over it. I have been off for just over a year now and I feel great! I am so glad to be off of it. Expect to feel strange for awhile, but it will work out.
2006-09-01 04:21:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not in the sense of being "habit forming" or people getting high from it, but you should never stop it suddenly. Getting off it has to be done very slowly under the supervision of a doctor. It takes some people months to safely get completely off that type of drug.
2006-09-01 04:20:27 · answer #8 · answered by LisaT 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its not addictive. however, your body hits a low when there is a withdrawal from it. what happens is the natural serotonin produced by your body is reduced in production because the "artificial" serotonin is present. when you suddenly withdraw the artificial serotonin, it takes a while for your body to get the message and start the production of natural serotonin again.
2006-09-01 04:51:42 · answer #9 · answered by ShaneA 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zoloft is well tolerated and effective for the treatment of depression and certain types of anxiety disorders. Zoloft is FDA approved to treat depression, social anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in adults over age 18. It is also approved for OCD in children and adolescents age 6-17 years.
2006-09-01 04:20:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋