Depression worsening with "new" prescription?

Question

I have been taking Zoloft for about 12 years now. I have lived with depression for most of my life (I am 26 now). Two months ago my pharmacy began giving me Sertraline which is the generic brand for Zoloft. I didn't notice any changes for the first month while taking the generic brand. However over the last month I have noticed my depression worsening. I absolutely have no motivation, I lay around the house and sleep for 14-16 hours a day when not at work. However when I am at work I am completely fine, happy, laughing and enjoying myself. Could this be caused by the generic prescription or am I simply "used" to Zoloft now and its not working for me anymore?

Answer 1

yes. i would talk to your doc about it

Answer 2

Since you were taking Zoloft and it worked for you for so long I'd tend to think changing to the generic drug is what set off your depression again. It seems like it coincides with your symptoms right? I wouldn't right away think for the worse that the Zoloft petered out in its effectiveness. The depression is making you think for the worse. Go to your doctor and tell them what you are experiencing and tell them to give you a prescription that says no substitutes. Even if you have to pay extra for the name brand you should do it. Get back on your Zoloft and keep your doctor appraised of your symptoms. These drugs take a while to get in your system so that's why you weren't feeling the change in the drug right away. Its not unusual to have your meds adjusted or even to have them changed if one becomes ineffective so if that needs to be done its not the end of the world. Their have been improvements in 12 years but you have to give everything a little time to work. The best advice is to be very open and candid with your physician so you can get back on the right track. Don't wait any longer. Why suffer? If it were diabetes would you hesitate and suffer? Good luck!

Answer 3

Personally, I don't think it's the change from brand name to generic. Zoloft IS Sertraline. They all have the same components. Pfizer's exclusive patent for the drug expired in 2006, making other drug companies to manufacture the drug, with no change in components. I would see your physician regarding these symptoms as they might be caused by something else. Good luck!

Answer 4

We all want to be happy, but most of us are trapped by ways of thinking and behaving that seem to keep us perpetually dissatisfied.
SIMPLE SOLUTION: But there are six simple tools that will help us to be truly, deeply happy. Find out what they are:
1. Appreciation.
This is the first and most fundamental happiness tool. Appreciation is the purest, strongest form of love. It is the outward-bound kind of love that asks for nothing and gives everything. Research now shows that it is physiologically impossible to be in a state of appreciation and a state of fear at the same time. Thus, appreciation is the antidote to fear.

2. Choice.
Choice is the root of freedom and the voice of the heart. Having no choices, or options, feels like being in jail. It leads to depression, anxiety, and the condition called learned helplessness. Choice can even govern perception. Anyone can choose the course of their lives, but only happy people do it.

3. Personal power
This is the almost indefinable proactive force, similar to character, that gives you power over your feelings and power over your fate. Personal power has two components: taking responsibility and taking action. It means realizing that your life belongs to you and you alone, and then doing something about it. Personal power keeps you from being a victim.

4. Leading with your strengths.
When you give in to the automatic fear reaction, it makes you focus on your weaknesses, which only reinforces your fear. But when you take the path of the intellect and spirit, you naturally begin to focus on your strengths--and start to solve your situation. People often think that fixing their weaknesses will save them, but it rarely works. It’s just too painful. Leading with your strengths feels good, and that’s why it works. Simple but true.

5. The power of language and stories.
We don’t describe the world we see--we see the world we describe. Language, as the single most fundamental force of the human intellect, has the power to alter perception. We think in words, and these words have the power to limit us or to set us free; they can frighten us or evoke our courage. Similarly, the stories we tell ourselves about our own lives eventually become our lives. We can tell healthy stories or horror stories. The choice is ours.

6. Multidimensional living.
There are three primary components of life: relationships, health, and purpose (which is usually work). Many people, though, put all their energy into just one area. The most common choice is work, because work best assuages our survival fears of not having enough and not being enough. Other people become obsessed with relationships (because relationship is another word for love), and some people limit their lives in the name of longevity. None of this For many more articles on depression check out the link below.
I hope this will help please just read some of the articles. They tell you ways to manage depression without medication.
Good Luck
Peace
GG

Answer 5

You need to check with your doctor. Although the generic should be the same, perhaps your dosage needs to be adjusted if your depression isn't getting any better. However, if you have a good time at work it might be good to think about what depresses you when you are at home, and if there is anything you can do to change your situation.

Answer 6

I was on that for my first depression medicine and it didn't work on me. It could possibly be in your head but that is a really long time to be taking the same medicine. I recommend trying something different. My dad has it bad and has always had to switch around.

Answer 7

See thats what I been saying all along ,, the drugs don't get rid of the problem they just cover it up , You're still going to have to deal with that one of these days ,too bad you don't know someone who has been threw what you went threw ,, they could be more help then any drug ever will ,,Good Luck ,, And I mean That ,,!

Answer 8

No its all in your head. Don' t focus on the change. Get the hell up and do something and everything will be cool in the house.