75 mg zoloft (A Complete Guide)

In this blog, we will learn about the uses and side effects associated with 75 mg zoloft. We will also learn about recommended doses of zoloft for various conditions and the precautions that must be taken before using it. Stick with us to learn everything there is to know about 75 mg zoloft. 

What good is 75 mg zoloft? 

Zoloft is prescribed at various doses according to the patient’s condition. 75 mg zoloft is not that much of a high dose but it is higher than the most common and well tolerated dose of zoloft, that is 50 mg. 

Your doctor usually starts your treatment with the lowest effective dose and increases it over time, if your low dose fails to provide sufficient therapeutic outcome. 

75 mg is normally recommended when 50 mg does not provide enough relief from depression. Starting directly from high doses is not recommended as you will find it difficult to adjust as compared to using lower doses. 

Clinical significance of 75 mg zoloft

Zoloft is actually a brand name for the most commonly used antidepressant, called Sertraline. It is a prescription medication used to treat mild to severe episodes of depression. 

These drugs actually inhibit the reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft (space between a neuron and its target cell). It increases the availability of serotonin in your brain. 

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical) released by our brain which is responsible for modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and various other psychological processes. 

The use of high doses of zoloft is indicated for the treatment of many mental health conditions. These include:

Mild to moderate depression

Depression is a state of mind which is concerned with disturbing thoughts, especially about one’s self. It is associated with symptoms like hopelessness, tearfulness and emptiness. Zoloft can increase the amount of excitatory neurotransmitters to counteract such depressive symptoms. 

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

Zoloft is used to treat symptoms of OCD. It is a condition characterised by troublesome thoughts that won’t go away, no matter what you do, and a weird urge to do things over and over again. 

Panic attacks

Overtime, zoloft has proven to be a suitable treatment option for treating panic attacks. They are sudden, uncontrollable attacks of fear and worry. A patient might unwillingly exaggerate a certain condition and gets frightened, often to the point where he gets attacked by seizures. 

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Zoloft can be used in high doses to counteract the symptoms of PTSD. It is concerned with extreme psychological symptoms that develop after a disturbing incident, such as death of a loved one or a horrific accident. 

Social anxiety disorder

Zoloft has proven to be effective in the treatment of social anxiety disorder or social phobia. It is a condition in which the patient fears facing crowds or social gatherings, and doesn’t really know how to react among people. 

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Zoloft is also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including symptoms like mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness. 

Recommended doses

Zoloft is recommended, as per condition, in the following doses:

Depression:

• For adults: 

50 mg once a day. Take it as advised by your doctor, either in the morning or at night. Do not exceed 200 mg.

• For children

Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder:

• Adults and teenagers

50 mg once a day. Take it as advised by your doctor, either in the morning or at night. Some cases might need dose adjustment. Do not exceed 200 mg.

• For children 6-12 years old

25 mg once a day, taken as advised by the doctor.

Panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or social anxiety disorder:

• For adults

25 mg once a day is considered an initial dose. Take it as advised by your doctor, either in the morning or at night. Some cases might need dose adjustment. Do not exceed 200 mg.

• For children

Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder:

• For adults

50 mg per day is considered as an initial treatment. It is taken daily throughout your periods. Your doctor might adjust your dose according to your symptoms. Dose should not be more than 150 mg per day. 

• For children

Dose is suggested by the doctor according to the condition and body weight.

How to take zoloft properly?

Zoloft is available in tablet and oral liquid form. Make sure you administer zoloft properly for maximum beneficial effects.

Tablets:

Tablets can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. It’s best to eat something before taking it, in order to avoid acid reflux. Make sure you take it as directed by your healthcare provider. 

Oral solution:

Oral solution comes with a measuring device. Measure the amount accurately. You can dilute it in water. If water is too bland for you, you can mix it in some lemonade, ginger ale or lemon soda, to mask the taste better.

Read this before taking zoloft

• Do not suggest medications, unless you are a healthcare professional yourself. Do not share medications. You might think your conditions match but oftentimes they don’t. It’s actually pretty dangerous.
• If you fail to understand how to use the drug properly or have any other question, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• In case of overdose, immediately reach out to the hospital. Make sure you properly guide them about how much drug you have taken and when. 
• Zoloft tends to induce suicidal behavior in users younger than 24 years of age. If you have someone who shows suicidal behavior or you see hopelessness in them, make sure you keep an eye on them and get medical attention as soon as you can. 
• Do not stop zoloft abruptly. If it’s time for you to stop zoloft, your doctor will simply make a taper schedule for you, which should be followed vigilantly if you wish to keep withdrawal symptoms at bay. 
• Report any problems with bleeding or bruising to your doctor. If you see any unexplained blisters or rashes on your body, or experience any problems with urination, or if you feel changes in your vision, immediately report to your healthcare provider. 

Conclusion

In this blog, we discussed the clinical significance of 75 mg zoloft and learned about precautions which ensure the safe use of this medication. It is strongly prohibited to stop using zoloft abruptly. 

If you’re experiencing mild side effects, they will usually begin to subside in about 2 to 3 weeks, as your body starts getting used to the drug. If you experience unusual side effects, inform your healthcare provider as soon as you can.

FAQs: 75 mg zoloft

Is 75 mg of Zoloft a lot?

No, 75 mg zoloft is not considered a lot. It is higher than the most frequently used dose, that is 50 mg. 150-200mg is considered a high dose of sertraline. You only need them if your depression is resistant to lower doses. 

Do not switch doses without your doctor’s approval. Oftentimes, it is recommended to change the medicine instead of increasing the dose. 

What are the side effects of Zoloft 75 mg?

Common side effects of Zoloft include:

• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness
• Feeling angry or agitated
• Weight gain
• Inability to digest food
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Loss of libido
• Sweating/Night sweats
• Tremors or shaking
• Insomnia
• Decreased sex drive
• Impotence
• Inability to release

Zoloft, sometimes, causes serious side effects. Consult your healthcare provider as soon as you can if these symptoms occur:

• Seizure/convulsions
• Eye pain with vision problems
• Headache
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Memory problems/Dementia 
• Severe weakness and inability to move

How do you wean off Zoloft 75 mg?

If you wish to wean off 75 mg zoloft, you need to follow a proper taper schedule, provided by your doctor. When tapering off 75 mg zoloft, the dose is reduced to 50 mg, for a period of 7 to 9 days. A few days are required by your body to adjust to a 50 mg dose. 

When your body gets stable at 50mg, then your dose is further lowered down to 25mg, for a week or two. Again, this time period is necessary to make your body comfortable with the reduced dose, as it was used to taking 100mg. 

25mg is the lowest dose when it comes to tapering off zoloft but your doctor might further taper it down to 12.5 mg, if need be. 

Why should you not take sertraline at night?

It is best to switch your antidepressant from night to morning, if it causes following side effects:

Insomnia

Some SSRIs, including zoloft, tend to decrease your sleep quality and can cause insomnia. If your antidepressant is keeping you up all night and making it difficult for you to fall asleep, it’s best to take it in the morning. This way, the effects of the drug will be minimal when you go to bed. Hence, you will experience less sleep disturbance. 

Urinary problems 

Zoloft can cause frequent urination as well as urinary incontinence in children and adolescents. In this case, it’s best to take zoloft in the morning to avoid bedwetting.

Sexual issues

If zoloft makes you go through sexual issues, such as low libido, erectile dysfunction, or inability to release, it is extremely important to set an appropriate time to take you medication. 

Studies suggest it’s best to counteract sexual side effects by taking antidepressant after the time you usually spend being sexually active. This means that you can take zoloft early in the morning which can help you to avoid sexual side effects at night. 

Does Zoloft cause weight loss?

If zoloft makes you lose your appetite, you may lose weight. 

Does 100mg of Zoloft make you gain weight?

Zoloft can make you gain weight if it makes you crave foods with high carbohydrate content like pasta, bread or desserts. It can also add a few pounds by retaining water in your body. 

References

• C Lindsay DeVane et al. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2002. – Clinical pharmacokinetics of sertraline https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12452737/

• James M. Ferguson, M.D. – SSRI Antidepressant Medications: Adverse Effects and Tolerability https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC181155/
• Welmoed E E Meijer et al. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2002 – Adverse events in users of sertraline: results from an observational study in psychiatric practice in The Netherlands. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12512241/
• G MacQueen et al. CNS Drug Rev. Spring 2001 – The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor sertraline: its profile and use in psychiatric disorders https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11420570/
• D Murdoch et al. Drugs. 1992 – Sertraline. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic potential in depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1281075/
• Sertraline (Oral Route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/sertraline-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20065940#:~:text=Adults%20and%20teenagers%E2%80%94At%20first,in%20the%20morning%20or%20evening.