Zoloft: An Overview
Zoloft is manufactured by Pfizer and was approved by the FDA in 1991. It is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant used to treat depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Zoloft Side Effects
In July 2006, the FDA issued an alert stating that a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome can occur when medicines called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, such as Zoloft, and medicines used to treat migraine headaches are taken together.
In addition, Zoloft users should not take monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs. If you have been taking an MAOI, you must stop at least 14 days before you start taking Zoloft. A very serious reaction of even death could occur if Zoloft is taken with MAOI.
Some serious side effects of Zoloft may include the following:
-
Serotonin Syndrome
- This is characterized by fever, fast heartbeat, diarrhea, coma, nausea, confusion, muscle rigidity, and cardiac, liver, or kidney problems.
- Headache, nervousness, drowsiness, anxiety, tremor, dizziness, insomnia, vision changes, fatigue, and agitation
- Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, decreased appetite
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sweating
- New or worsening depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Extreme worry
- Agitation
- Panic attacks
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Irritability
- Aggressive behavior
- Acting without thinking
- Severe restlessness
- Frenzied, abnormal excitement
FDA Warning to Mothers
Many antidepressants, including SSRIs, may harm your unborn child if you take them during pregnancy or while you are breast-feeding. In fact, FDA findings indicate increased birth defects in newborns including serious heart and lung defects associated with the use of the anti-depressant drug Zoloft during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and taking Zoloft, consult your doctor before possible discontinuation since a fivefold risk of relapse in depression in pregnant women who stopped taking antidepressants was recently reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Contact An Experienced Zoloft Attorney
Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys are leaders in the area of drug and product liability litigation. Our Defective Drug and Products Division have extensive knowledge and resources in order to represent our clients efficiently and aggressively. The Defective Drug and Products Division represent a multitude of people who are battling against manufacturers of medical devices and/ or defective pharmaceuticals.
If you or a loved one have taken Zoloft and have developed serious side effects or injuries from the use of this drug, contact Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys immediately. We are available 24/7, nights and weekends.
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