Side effects from zoloft withdrawal
What are the symptoms of Zoloft withdrawal?
When stopping antidepressants such as Zoloft, people may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, headaches, mood changes, and anxiety.
Sertraline, which is available under the brand name Zoloft, is an antidepressant belonging to a group of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
It is one of the most common antidepressants a doctor may prescribe. When a person is ready to discontinue an antidepressant, they may experience withdrawal symptoms, which a doctor may refer to as discontinuation syndrome.
Some research notes that roughly 20% of people may develop discontinuation symptoms following a reduction in dose. Other sources suggest that up to 80% of people who abruptly stop antidepressants may experience withdrawal symptoms.
Common discontinuation symptoms of stopping sertraline may include nausea, headaches, and tingling skin. For this reason, when a person decides to discontinue sertraline, they should discuss this with their doctor.
The doctor may recommend gradually lowering the dose to reduce or avoid symptoms. It is not advisable for a person to reduce or stop their dosage without their doctor’s approval.
In this article, we will discuss Zoloft withdrawal symptoms, their duration, and when to see a doctor.
Sertraline, which is available under brand names such as Zoloft and Lustral, is a type of SSRI antidepressant. In 1991, the United States approved sertraline to help treat:
- major depressive disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- panic disorder
- social anxiety disorder
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, adults, and adolescents 6–17 years old
In some cases, a doctor may also prescribe Zoloft off-label to help treat bulimia nervosa and generalized anxiety disorder.
Similar to many other antidepressants, sertraline has a black box warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
It alerts doctors and patients about potential drug effects, such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
It is relatively common for people to experience some withdrawal symptoms when stopping or tapering antidepressants. Some research notes that 46% of people would describe their withdrawal symptoms as severe.
A person may experience withdrawal symptoms due to chemical changes in the brain. The body adjusts to changes that an antidepressant such as Zoloft may cause. Stopping or reducing the antidepressant can throw the brain into a state of imbalance. This can have a physical and mental impact.
The likelihood of developing withdrawal symptoms may relate to the half-life of the antidepressant. The term half-life refers to the amount of time it takes for the body to metabolize 50% of a medication’s active ingredients and eliminate them from the body.
Typically, drugs with a shorter half-life may indicate more potential withdrawal problems. Sertraline has a relatively short half-life of approximately 24 hours and has a moderate risk of causing withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms may occur a few days after a person begins to taper their dose and may last for 1–3 weeks. The severity of symptoms will depend on how long a person has been taking sertraline.
Common symptoms associated with reducing sertraline dose may include:
- nausea
- sweating
- mood changes
- irritability
- dizziness
- brain zaps
- tremors
- anxiety
- confusion
- headache
- lethargy
- insomnia
- tinnitus
- seizures
Typically, antidepressants with shorter half-lives are more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms due to how quickly the body may eliminate them and cause changes in the level of serotonin in the brain.
This also means a person may experience symptoms quicker compared with an antidepressant with a longer half-life. Zoloft has a half-life of roughly 22–35 hours. This rate can vary due to numerous factors, such as the speed of a person’s metabolism.
While tapering Zoloft, people could experience discontinuation symptoms for up to 3 weeks.
When stopping antidepressants, some symptoms may persist for up to 6 weeks and occasionally may continue for up to a year.
Always speak with a doctor about any new symptoms that occur when tapering off an antidepressant.
After a person decides they are ready to discontinue Zoloft, a doctor will usually suggest a tapering strategy to wean a person off Zoloft gradually before stopping completely.
The length of time a person has been taking Zoloft will usually determine the length of the tapering strategy. Typically, tapering lasts 4 weeks, but a doctor may suggest tapering the medication over 6–8 weeks to reduce the risk or severity of symptoms.
In other cases, a doctor may suggest switching to another antidepressant that may be easier to wean off or is less likely to cause potential withdrawal symptoms.
In addition to tapering, following self-care tips may also ease the process of weaning off Zoloft. This can include:
- telling family and friends about plans to come off antidepressants
- having a healthy diet
- getting adequate sleep
- getting regular exercise
A doctor may also recommend counseling or therapy if the underlying condition remains after stopping the medication.
This may help a person to understand, manage, and overcome the underlying cause of their mood disorder.
Click here to learn more about how to stop antidepressants safely.
Antidepressants such as Zoloft typically include a black box warning as they may worsen symptoms of depression or suicidal ideation and cause unusual changes in behavior.
Caregivers and people taking antidepressants should watch for certain signs and symptoms and talk with a doctor if they occur. These may include:
- anxiety
- restlessness
- irritability
- aggressiveness
- insomnia
Sertraline may also interact with other medications or supplements and increase the risk of having side effects. A person should talk with a doctor before taking sertraline if they are currently taking:
- medications that change their heartbeat
- other medications for depression
- St. John’s wort
Additionally, Zoloft may result in problems if a person:
- has heart problems
- has previously taken other antidepressants
- has glaucoma
- has epilepsy
- has diabetes
- is trying to become pregnant, is pregnant, or breastfeeding
It is not uncommon for people to mistake discontinuation symptoms for symptoms of relapse.
This is particularly important to know about antidepressants as discontinuing an antidepressant can increase the risk of relapse for anxiety and depression.
Stopping antidepressants can result in rebound depression, or symptoms returning worse than before. It is important for a doctor to closely monitor and determine the difference to help prevent relapse and treatment failure.
A person should always discuss coming off antidepressants or changing dosages with their doctor before making any changes to their dosage.
It is important to talk with a doctor immediately if withdrawal symptoms are severe, concerning, disabling, or last longer than a few weeks. Additionally, it is important to seek help if a person experiences suicidal thoughts, thoughts of self-harm, or any other unexpected or concerning symptoms.
A person should also seek help if they believe they are presenting symptoms of a relapse.
Sertraline, or Zoloft, is an SSRI antidepressant that doctors frequently prescribe.
When a person decides to discontinue an antidepressant such as Zoloft, they should speak with their doctor and follow their advice on discontinuing, such as following a tapering schedule.
There is a moderate risk for people experiencing withdrawal symptoms while reducing their dose of Zoloft. Common symptoms may include agitation, tremors, and headaches.
In addition to tapering their dose, people can also try self-care tips, such as exercising, getting regular sleep, and having a healthy diet, to reduce potential discontinuation symptoms further.
Zoloft Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline, and Detox (Sertraline)
Detoxing from Zoloft (sertraline) involves gradually reducing its dosage, allowing it to leave the body in a healthy fashion to reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Sertraline, sold under the brand name Zoloft, is FDA-approved to treat conditions like depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Over time, as your brain becomes used to the drug, you can become physically dependent on it. If you stop taking the drug, you may undergo withdrawal symptoms.
Those taking sertraline should continue their regular prescribed dosage, even if they feel better. Missing doses of sertraline can also run the risk of relapsing into the symptoms being treated in the first place. However, if your doctor recommends discontinuing taking the drug, it’s important to wean off Zoloft mindfully to mitigate any withdrawal symptoms and side effects.
Article at a Glance:
- Zoloft is a prescription medication to treat depression, anxiety, OCD, panic and other disorders.
- Withdrawal symptoms of Zoloft include headache, nausea, mood changes, sweating, tremors and seizures.
- You may be able to avoid Zoloft withdrawal symptoms by gradually tapering off the medication.
- Talk therapy, exercise and a diet omitting foods that promote jitteriness can help you manage withdrawal symptoms.
- Zoloft detox treatment programs are helpful when you stop taking this medication.
What Are Common Zoloft Withdrawal Symptoms?
Zoloft withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the dosage that was prescribed (e.g. someone taking 25mg per day may have less severe withdrawal symptoms versus someone taking 200mg per day), as well as the length of time an individual has been taking the drug. Among the most common withdrawal symptoms from sertraline include:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Mood changes, including low mood, anxiety, irritability and agitation
- Dizziness
- Sensory disturbances
- Tremor
- Confusion
- Headache
- Lethargy
- Trouble sleeping
- Ear ringing
- Seizure
Zoloft Withdrawal Timeline & Symptom Durations
Those who are tapering off may be curious to know how long does Zoloft withdrawal last? Withdrawal symptoms from sertraline can vary in severity and duration based on the time span of use, dosage, individual physiology and the length of time taken to taper off.
Gradually tapering off Zoloft under a doctor’s supervision can reduce or avoid the symptoms altogether. Usually, sertraline’s dose is gradually reduced over around four weeks. A sample taper schedule is reducing the dose by 50 mg every 5–7 days to a final dose of 25–50 mg before the drug is stopped.
Managing Zoloft Withdrawal Symptoms
A gradual reduction in sertraline dosage will be most effective for managing and controlling withdrawal symptoms. Reducing the sertraline dosage slowly allows your brain to gradually adjust to lower amounts of medication, finally adapting to no medication at all.
Understanding what to expect in terms of symptoms will also help in managing withdrawal. Many symptoms are normal, and knowing what they are will reduce anxiety about those symptoms, making them easier to deal with mentally.
Talk therapy and other non-medication treatments should be continued normally to treat the psychological withdrawal symptoms of sertraline.
Exercise may also be helpful.
Exercise is widely known to improve both mental and physical wellness.
Eating a healthy diet may also help. Avoid foods known to increase jitteriness, like caffeine and sweets, and consume healthy, whole foods. Eating a nutrient-rich, well-balanced diet may help with both physiological and psychological issues associated with withdrawal.
Get Help Weaning Off Zoloft
Sertraline and other antidepressants are widely prescribed, which means thousands of people have been or are currently in your shoes. You are not alone in dealing with this withdrawal.
There are many professional treatment programs out there for Zoloft detox. Ask your doctor for support groups in your area. Also, there are many helplines you can call 24 hours a day that are available to help you at a moment’s notice.
Editor – Melissa Carmona
As the content manager at Advanced Recovery Systems, Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing experience to work helping people understand substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders.
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Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD
Dr. Jessica Pyhtila is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland with practice sites in inpatient palliative care and outpatient primary care at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Read more
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U.S. National Library of Medicine. “Zoloft.” April 14, 2020. Accessed June 30, 2020.
Tanzi, Maria G. “Stopping antidepressants: Clinical considerations.” Pharmacy Today, May 2016. Accessed June 30, 2020.
Medical Disclaimer
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals.
The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
Zoloft withdrawal syndrome - Center for Healthy Youth
Zoloft - what is this drug? The active substance of the drug is sertraline. It belongs to the pharmacological group of antidepressants and is prescribed to patients with the following symptoms: depression, OCD, panic disorders, PTSD, social phobia. Zoloft is a powerful serotonin reuptake inhibitor in human brain cells.
More than 1/3 of people face the dangerous consequences of abrupt withdrawal of Zoloft. In narcology, this phenomenon is called withdrawal syndrome or withdrawal syndrome. The time of onset of symptoms of withdrawal syndrome when used is directly proportional to the half-life of the drug from the body. A drug such as Zoloft is addictive with systematic irregular use, therefore, there is also a Zoloft withdrawal syndrome, which usually occurs 3-5 days after the last use of the drug.
The symptoms of Zoloft withdrawal syndrome are quite difficult to recognize, so people think that the disease has returned and start using the medicine again.
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How to reduce the dose of Zoloft correctly?
The course of treatment with Zoloft usually lasts no more than 8 weeks (about two months). As with the use of other antidepressants, an unreasonable increase in the duration of its use leads to negative consequences for human health. However, even before the period prescribed by the doctor, it is not recommended to stop taking the drug, since the gradual disappearance of symptoms is not a reason to complete the course.
How long can I take Zoloft?
How much Zoloft can I take?
Many patients wonder how much Zoloft should be taken? Naturally, the duration of the course is strictly individual. So, how long can you take Zoloft? Only the attending physician, depending on the symptoms present, will be able to tell you how much Zoloft should be taken in your case. A specialist can prescribe a medication for 6-12 months, but this happens in exceptional cases.
The risk of developing withdrawal symptoms is increased in the following cases:
- abrupt drug withdrawal and removal from the body;
- regular intake over two months;
- excessive anxiety;
- Combination with antihypertensives, allergies, and antipsychotics.
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8 (800) 333-20-07 - call our specialist
How to cancel and stop drinking Zoloft?
Zoloft causes a withdrawal syndrome when it is stopped abruptly.
This drug affects the processes occurring in the human brain, so you should take the medicine only with a doctor's prescription. How to stop taking the drug and "get off" from Zoloft? To avoid the withdrawal syndrome, the dosage of the medication according to the medical plan is reduced by 25 mg every 14 days. If a stable remission is achieved after a course of treatment, the doctor will stop taking the drug. However, the specialist will cancel the drug if the patient experiences side effects, insomnia and headache from Zoloft are not uncommon.
In which case the doctor can cancel the medication:
- the patient has a headache;
- causeless sadness, anxiety;
- feeling of devastation;
- nervousness, irritability;
- weakness;
- suicidal tendencies;
- sleep and appetite disorders;
- decrease in concentration.
If a person has lost their appetite or has regular headaches, the doctor begins a gradual process of reducing the dosage.
The therapeutic dose is reduced over several weeks, and sometimes months.
Symptoms of withdrawal after taking
Is it possible to abruptly stop taking the medicine? Abrupt withdrawal of the drug threatens the occurrence of withdrawal or withdrawal. The human body, accustomed to a certain dose of the drug, will respond without an adaptation period. Most often, a deterioration in the patient's health is noted within 2-4 days after the last use. Depending on the individual characteristics and the state of the central nervous system, withdrawal symptoms may be different.
Symptoms and signs of withdrawal
- nervousness;
- irritability;
- irritability;
- insomnia;
- nausea, vomiting;
- headaches;
- incoordination, balancez.
In some cases, a person will not even feel dangerous signs, and sometimes you may need to call an ambulance for narcological help from the Center for Healthy Youth.
Therefore, if you feel a deterioration in the condition, it is worth contacting a doctor who will help reduce the dose and improve overall well-being.
How long does Zoloft withdrawal last?
Withdrawal symptoms can persist without drug treatment for quite a long time, for several weeks. While taking antidepressants, the activity of neurons changes, so after stopping the drugs, the body needs time to rebuild and adapt to new conditions. The longer the course of treatment was, the longer the rehabilitation period will be. Withdrawal symptoms will not disappear until the active substance of the drug is excreted from the body. If general weakness lasts for a month, you should contact your doctor or specialists from the Healthy Youth Center.
When does Zoloft start to act and help?
It is important to understand that Zoloft does not begin to act immediately, but after a certain period of time. How long does Zoloft take to work? As a rule, the first positive dynamics begins to be noticeable to the patient only after 2-3 weeks of regular use.
The maximum effect is noticeable after 2-3 months of admission.
Discontinuation considerations
When choosing antidepressants, it is important to know which medications the patient has previously taken and which medications they are currently taking. Before prescribing an effective remedy that normalizes the work of the central nervous system, the doctor conducts a number of necessary examinations, identifies existing contraindications and prevents side effects. If Zoloft is not recommended for you, the specialist will offer you a wide range of analogues of this drug, including Cipralex, Prozac, Paxil, Cipramil and other equally effective drugs. The drug Velaksin, Amitriptyline, etc. has a similar effect.
If you experience withdrawal symptoms after taking Zoloft, contact the Healthy Youth Drug Treatment Center for help. We have been treating addictions for over 15 years.
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Zoloft withdrawal syndrome | Antidepressant ru
Zoloft is an antidepressant that selectively increases the concentration of the mediator serotonin in the centers of the brain.
It is used to treat depression, obsessions and anxiety disorders. When using Zoloft, side effects may develop. In addition, some of the side effects develop after stopping the medication. It is important to be able to recognize the Zoloft withdrawal syndrome in time and prevent its development.
Manifestations of the withdrawal syndrome
The symptoms of this syndrome have been studied during post-marketing studies. In most patients who took Zoloft for a long time and abruptly stopped taking it, the following side effects were observed:
- Headache;
- Dizziness;
- Nausea, rarely vomiting;
- Sleep disorders;
- Tremor of hands and feet;
- Excitation, resumption of alarm;
- Sensory disturbances (feeling of numbness, “crawling”).
Most often, the listed manifestations are tolerated quite easily, causing slight discomfort, but without disturbing the working capacity and quality of life.
Sometimes they noticeably affect the daily activities of the patient, forcing him to see a doctor. Very rarely, withdrawal symptoms are severe and require hospitalization.
When to expect withdrawal symptoms
Zoloft causes withdrawal symptoms in most patients who abruptly stop treatment with this drug. Most often, the first manifestations begin after two or three days of complete discontinuation. In rare cases, the development of a withdrawal syndrome may begin after the patient has missed a dose once. Since the drug should be drunk once a day, withdrawal symptoms in some patients were observed as early as the next day.
Withdrawal syndrome when taking Zoloft develops because the drug changes the activity of brain neurons. The cells of the central nervous system need time to relearn how to function without Zoloft.
The secret of gradual withdrawal is that the drug is able to accumulate in the body. The larger the dose and the longer the intake, the more the drug is in the body.
In order to slowly remove it after prolonged use, it is necessary to gradually reduce the dose. When the dose is reduced, part of the drug leaves the depot, the body is gradually cleared of Zoloft and its metabolites.
How long does the side effects of Zoloft last
If the side effects occur after the drug is stopped, the symptoms will persist until all the drug has been eliminated from the blood. At best, this will happen two weeks after the end of the drug. By this time, the disappearance of the withdrawal syndrome should be expected.
Sometimes symptoms persist for more than two or even three months. In the most severe cases, they may appear intermittently for a very long time.
There is no specific cure for the withdrawal syndrome. Symptomatic treatment of each of the symptoms will not bring any result. For the disappearance of side effects, you will have to resume taking Zoloft, undergo a course of treatment, and then cancel it again, but gradually.
The easiest way to prevent withdrawal is to follow a Zoloft discontinuation schedule.
Instructions on how to avoid withdrawal symptoms
Zoloft withdrawal syndrome can be prevented by gradually reducing the dose of daily intake. Every week it is permissible to reduce the concentration of the active substance by no more than 25 mg per day. This means that in the first week of taking, you should drink half a tablet, the dosage of which is 50 mg, less than usual. For example, if a patient was treated with a dose of 200 mg, he should drink 175 mg for a week. This is one tablet with a dosage of 100 mg and one and a half with a dosage of 50 mg. Dividing a 100 mg tablet into four parts is not recommended. A week later, the daily dose is 150 mg, after another week - 125 mg. And so on until the minimum dosage of 50 or 25 mg.
It should be noted that after the main treatment, doctors often recommend switching to prophylactic treatment. In this case, the patient is prescribed 100 mg per day for a very long time.
The dosage should also be reduced from therapeutic to prophylactic by gradually removing 25 mg per week.
Before discontinuing the drug or reducing the dosage, consult your doctor.
Reviews
Ilya S .: “I took Zoloft to treat depression. When it was time to stop taking, he acted strictly according to the doctor's recommendation. I reduced the dosage very slowly, divided the tablet into two parts, considered the necessary concentration. Since the initial dosage was small, the withdrawal lasted about a month. However, none of the side effects bothered me. When it was time to completely stop taking it, there were also no symptoms.”
Daria N. : “I was prescribed Zoloft to deal with panic attacks. I drank it for three months, there were no panic attacks, so I decided to stop. After discontinuation of the drug there was a headache almost constant, then insomnia. About a week later I had one panic attack, but I decided to continue weaning off the drug.
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