Uses
Zoloft is usually used as treatment for depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, panic disorder, and anxiety disorders.

How to take Zoloft
Zoloft comes in the form of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg oral intake tablets. It also comes in 20 mg/mL liquid concentrate. These are ingested with water, with or without a prior intake of food, and preferably at the same time every day. Because the prescription indications and dosage strengths required for treatment are dependent on the disorder of the patient, it is necessary that the drug is taken exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The latter has the discretion of changing the dosage strength, in order to get the desirable results from intake.

Side effects
Mild adverse effects of Zoloft include allergic reactions such as hives, a swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face, and a difficulty in breathing. Severe effects include suicidal thoughts, behavior changes, anxiety, hyperactivity, insomnia, restlessness, and impulsive behavior, or problems with coordination and balance, seizure, twitching, stiff muscles, tremors, and shivering; sweating, a quickened heartbeat, agitation, and confusion.

Drug precautions
Users who are under Zoloft medication are advised to refrain from alcohol intake, as this can contribute to the resulting side effects of the drug. Since the latter may cause impairment on the users' thinking and reflex reactions, they should take extra precaution in doing activities which require them to remain awake or alert.

Drug interactions
Patients who are taking medications for swelling, pain, fever, and arthritis should consult with their doctor before taking Zoloft. Other medicines which may interact with Zoloft include tramadol, warfarin, digitoxin, lithium, phenytoin, and valproate; antidepressant drugs such as paroxetine, and fluoxetine; zolmitriptan, almotriptan, rizatriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, and sumatriptan; and heart medications for heart rhythm, which includes flecainide and propafenone.

Overdose
Usual symptoms of Zoloft overdose include drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, tremor, nausea, agitation, vomiting, a quickened heartbeat, and coma. In such instances, immediate medical help is necessary.

Missed dose
In instances of a missed dose, take it as soon as possible, with the condition that the succeeding dose is not due for some time. Otherwise the missed dose should be skipped, and the next one taken as scheduled.

Storage
Zoloft should be stored in room temperature (25-30°C), in a cool, dry place.