Zoloft - Prescription Drug Information
December 5th, 2009 Posted by: admin
It is an unfortunate fact that many people who constantly feel sad do it alone and never ask for the help they are entitled to from health care professionals. Apart from the various depression treatments, there are a number of medications available that doctors prescribe to their depression patients. Today after many years of research and study, depression can be beaten but this does need an early diagnosis for this but unfortunately for some people the cost might not make it possible. It is now understood that cognitive behavioral and interpersonal therapy can be very successful at helping sufferers of depression as they actually attack the root of the problem. Zoloft is FDA approved to treat depression, certain types of social anxiety conditions, 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.
Patients suffering with depression can benefit from short-term therapy and positive results are quite normal in less than five months. Before getting started on any medication, the patient must first get themselves to a reputable doctor; get a diagnosis of which type of depression they are suffering from: whether it is clinical, manic or another type. Your doctor will be able to recommend what type of treatment and depression medication required as they do differ considerably and no-one wants to make the situation worse. The number of anti-depressant medications available is a sure indication that this is a large problem and that there is no cure-all drug to beat the problem.
The more popular ones are those that are of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors then there are the tricyclics while the other popular variant is the monoamine oxidase inhibitor. These medications are actually a much safer alternative than the tricyclics, since they have fewer side-effects. Often, the doctor will actually mix the medications if it will help the patient. It is not uncommon for the doctor under these circumstances to prescribe two or more of the drugs if it will benefit the patient’s condition.
Doctors frequently adjust the amount of medication they give their patient depending on the circumstances. However, when it comes to taking these drugs, patients are highly advised to never mix up depression medications; as well as change which dosages to take without consulting their doctors first. Anti-anxiety or sedatives however, should never be mistaken as a form of medication. There are often occasions where these types of medications are given along with others to help offset other side-effects but should never be confused as the primary anti-depressant drugs.
Used only to help relax the patient, it means that any other depression medication should still be used as prescribed. .There are actually some common side-effects, usually coming from the tricyclic variety. Although the side effects can actually cause the sufferer to lose their ability to function in normal life, unless this happens, many users are happy to put up with the side-effects. It is always advisable if you are having a reaction to any type of drug to inform your doctor immediately.
