Zoloft and erectile dysfunction
Can Zoloft Cause ED?
Can Zoloft Cause ED?Medically reviewed by Lindsay Slowiczek, PharmD — By Ann Pietrangelo — Updated on August 15, 2018
Overview
Zoloft (sertraline) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It’s used to treat a range of psychological conditions, including depression and anxiety. These conditions can cause erectile dysfunction (ED). Zoloft may also cause ED, however.
Read on to learn more about the relationships among ED, Zoloft, and mental health.
SSRIs such as Zoloft work by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin that is available in your brain. While increased serotonin can help relieve your symptoms of depression or anxiety, it can also cause problems for your sexual function. There are several theories for how antidepressants such as Zoloft cause ED. Some of them suggest that these drugs can do the following:
- decrease feeling in your sexual organs
- reduce the action of two other neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine, which reduces your levels of desire and arousal
- block the action of nitric oxide
Nitric oxide relaxes your muscles and blood vessels, which allows enough blood to flow to your sexual organs. Without enough blood being sent to your penis, you can’t get or maintain an erection.
The severity of sexual problems caused by Zoloft varies from person to person. For some men, side effects decrease as the body adjusts to the medication. For others, the side effects don’t go away.
If your ED is caused by depression or anxiety, it may improve after Zoloft starts to take effect. If you haven’t been taking Zoloft very long, wait a few weeks to see if things improve.
Talk to your doctor if you think your ED is due to Zoloft. If they agree, they may adjust your dosage. A lower dosage may reduce the drug’s effects on your sexual function. Your doctor may also suggest that you try a different type of antidepressant instead of an SSRI. Finding the right treatment for depression, anxiety, and similar disorders takes time. It often requires several adjustments of medication and dosage before settling on the right ones.
Your doctor may suggest other remedies if you find that your ED is not caused by depression or Zoloft.
For instance, you may be able to take another medication to treat your ED symptoms.
Zoloft, depression, and anxiety are only a few of the things that can cause ED. Normal sexual function involves many parts of your body, and they all need to work together correctly to cause an erection. An erection involves your blood vessels, nerves, and hormones. Even your mood can play a part.
Other factors that can affect your sexual function include:
Age
Studies show that ED tends to increase with age. By age 40, about 40 percent of men have experienced ED at some point in their lives. By age 70, this number goes up to about 70 percent. Sexual desire can also decrease with age.
Erectile dysfunction and your age: Is it inevitable? »
Health conditions
Certain health conditions put you at increased risk of developing ED. Examples of these conditions include:
- diabetes
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- Peyronie’s disease
- multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- spinal cord injury or injuries that damage nerves and arteries involved in erections
Medications
Certain medications can also cause ED.
These include:
- other SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac)
- the antihistamine cimetidine
- diuretics such as chlorothiazide and chlorthalidone
- pain medications such as opioids
Learn more about medications that can cause ED »
Lifestyle
Lifestyle factors can also affect your ability to have an erection. Smoking, drinking, and drug use can be part of the problem. Stress and obesity can also add to sexual dysfunction.
If you and your doctor think lifestyle issues are the cause of your ED, make changes accordingly. If you smoke, try to quit. Cut down on alcohol use. And if you have a substance abuse problem, seek help. Also, make time for some physical activity every day. It helps with blood flow, weight control, and stress reduction.
Keep reading: 5 natural treatments for erectile dysfunction »
There are many possible causes for ED, and if you’re taking Zoloft, it may be the culprit.
The only way to know for sure is to talk to your doctor. They can help find the cause of your problem and help you resolve it. They can also answer any questions you may have, such as:
- Is there another antidepressant that might work better for me?
- If Zoloft isn’t causing my ED, what do you think is?
- Are there lifestyle changes I should make that might improve my sexual function?
Q:
What antidepressants are least likely to cause sexual side effects?
Anonymous patient
A:
Any antidepressant can cause sexual problems. However, two drugs in particular have been shown to have slightly less risk of problems such as ED. These drugs are bupropion (Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron).
Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Last medically reviewed on January 4, 2017
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.
We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Erectile dysfunction. (2014, March)
familydoctor.org/condition/erectile-dysfunction/ - Erectile dysfunction. (2016, March 15)
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/erectile-dysfunction-overview - Hellerstein, D. (n.d.). Why do SSRI antidepressants cause sexual side effects? Retrieved from
asp.cumc.columbia.edu/psych/asktheexperts/ask_the_experts_inquiry.asp?SI=226 - Lakin, M., & Wood, H. (2012, November). Erectile dysfunction
clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/endocrinology/erectile-dysfunction/ - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016, June 24). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825 - Sertraline hydrochloride- sertraline hydrochloride tablets.
(2008, May)
dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a8b2ad71-cfdc-4a29-8194-deefea138b16 - Sertraline (Zoloft). (2015, October)
nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Mental-Health-Medications/Sertraline-(Zoloft) - Zoloft - sertraline hydrochloride tablet, film coated; Zoloft - sertraline hydrochloride solution, concentrate. (2016, November 7)
dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=fe9e8b7d-61ea-409d-84aa-3ebd79a046b5
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
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Medically reviewed by Lindsay Slowiczek, PharmD — By Ann Pietrangelo — Updated on August 15, 2018
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Does Zoloft (Sertraline) Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Medically reviewed by Vicky Davis, FNP
Written by Our Editorial Team
Last updated 8/29/2022
Sertraline, sold under the brand name Zoloft®, is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that’s prescribed to treat depression. It’s also commonly used as a treatment for certain types of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other conditions.
Used as prescribed, Zoloft can reduce the severity of the symptoms of depression and anxiety, letting you enjoy a higher quality of life.
Does Zoloft cause ED? Just like other SSRIs, Zoloft (sertraline) can and often does cause sexual side effects, including erectile dysfunction (ED).
In fact, research shows that between 25 and 73 percent of people who used antidepressants to treat depression, anxiety, and other conditions experience sexual side effects as a result of their medication.
Dealing with erectile dysfunction and other sexual side effects from Zoloft can be a frustrating process. Luckily, almost all sexual side effects caused by Zoloft and other SSRIs are treatable, with a variety of options available for reducing and managing your symptoms.
Below, we’ve explained how medications such as Zoloft can cause sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction.
We’ve also shared some practical techniques that you can use to prevent ED and stay sexually healthy while using Zoloft or similar medication.
Zoloft and Erectile Dysfunction: The Basics
Sertraline, the active ingredient in Zoloft, is one of the most common SSRIs in the United States.
It’s usually prescribed to treat depression, as well as anxiety disorders like social anxiety disorder (SAD) and panic disorder (PD).Zoloft is often prescribed off-label to treat eating disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and premature ejaculation (PE).
As an antidepressant, Zoloft works by increasing serotonin levels. Modern SSRIs such as Zoloft have a lower risk of causing side effects than older medications for depression, such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Like other antidepressants, Zoloft can cause sexual side effects, including difficulty with ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. However, recent research suggests that Zoloft has a lower risk of causing sexual side effects than other widely-used SSRIs.
Not all sexual issues that occur while you’re using Zoloft are caused by Zoloft. According to Harvard Medical School, 35 to 50 percent of people with major depression experience sexual issues prior to treatment with medication and/or therapy.
Most of the time, you can lower the severity of ED and other sexual performance issues by adjusting your dosage of Zoloft, taking a “drug holiday,” changing your habits or trying a different type of antidepressant drug.
How Zoloft and Other SSRIs Cause Sexual Side Effects
Zoloft is one of several SSRIs your healthcare provider may prescribe if you have depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or an anxiety disorder such as panic disorder or social anxiety.
As an SSRI, Zoloft works by increasing serotonin levels in your brain and body. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter that’s involved in regulating your moods, happiness, sleep cycle and feelings of anxiety.
Research suggests that low levels of serotonin may play a role in the development of numerous mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
While Zoloft is generally effective as a treatment for depression and anxiety, it is associated with a range of sexual side effects.
Commonly referred to as SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, these side effects include:
Currently, researchers aren’t aware of precisely why Zoloft and other SSRIs cause these sexual side effects. However, one popular theory is that the effects of SSRIs on serotonin may have an impact on sexual desire and performance.
For example, research suggests that the increased levels of serotonin caused by SSRIs such as Zoloft may affect production of similar neurotransmitters and hormones, including dopamine and testosterone.
Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter that’s involved in reward-seeking behavior, as well as processes such as achieving orgasm.
Testosterone is an androgen hormone, or male sex hormone, that plays a vital role in regulating sexual response and arousal.
Experts believe that by increasing serotonin levels, medications like Zoloft may affect production of other hormones, resulting in antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.
While sexual side effects are common with SSRIs in general, research suggests that Zoloft has a lower risk of causing issues like erectile dysfunction than other medications for depression.
For example, studies have found that between 25 and 73 percent of people treated with SSRIs report sexual side effects.
However, data from clinical trials suggests that only two to eight percent of men who use Zoloft experience sexual side effects, with ejaculation difficulties the most common (reported by eight percent of men) and erectile dysfunction less common (reported by four percent of men).
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Other Zoloft Side Effects
In addition to sexual performance issues such as erectile dysfunction, Zoloft and other SSRIs can potentially cause other side effects.
Most side effects of Zoloft are mild and transient, meaning they gradually become less severe as your body gets used to the effects of the medication. However, certain side effects of Zoloft may be more severe and/or persistent.
Other, non-sexual common side effects of Zoloft include:
It’s important to inform your healthcare provider if you experience any persistent or concerning side effects after starting treatment with Zoloft.
Our full guide to SSRI side effects goes into more detail about the potential adverse effects of Zoloft and similar medications for depression and anxiety.
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How to Treat Erectile Dysfunction From Zoloft
Most of the time, sexual effects from antidepressants can be treated or made less severe with some changes to the way you use your medication.
If you start to develop erectile dysfunction or other signs of antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction after taking Zoloft, it’s important not to make any changes without first talking with your healthcare provider.
This is because stopping Zoloft and other antidepressants can cause withdrawal symptoms if they’re stopped abruptly, or if you suddenly reduce your dosage.
It’s also possible for you to experience a relapse of depression or anxiety if you suddenly stop taking your antidepressant medication.
To treat ED from Zoloft, your healthcare provider may recommend using one or several of the following techniques:
Adjusting your dosage of Zoloft. Zoloft is prescribed at several dosages, from 25mg to 200mg per day. Some side effects, including sexual effects, may be more common when Zoloft is used at a high dosage.
Your healthcare provider may recommend adjusting your dosage of Zoloft to reduce the severity of sexual side effects while still treating your mental health condition.Switching to a different SSRI. Although most SSRIs work in the same basic way, there are differences between each medication that could make one a more suitable choice for you than others.
If you have sexual side effects that don’t improve after adjusting your Zoloft dosage, your healthcare provider may suggest switching to a different SSRI.Using bupropion (Wellbutrin®). Some prescription antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), are less likely to cause sexual side effects than others.
Your healthcare provider may recommend switching from Zoloft to bupropion or a similar non-SSRI antidepressant if you have persistent side effects that don’t improve over time or with dosage adjustments.Taking a temporary “drug holiday.” If your healthcare provider thinks it’s a safe option, they may suggest going on a “drug holiday” -- a day or two in which you stop taking your medication -- to avoid ED and other sexual side effects.
This may help to lower the severity of ED and other sexual function issues by giving the medication to exit your body before sex.Using medication to treat ED. In some cases, your healthcare provider might suggest using prescription ED medication, such as a PDE5 inhibitor, to improve flow and make it easier to maintain an erection.
Several medications are available to prevent erectile dysfunction, including sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil (Levitra®) and avanafil (a new medication sold as Stendra®).
Our guide to the most common ED medications goes into greater detail about how these medications work, their advantages, side effects and more.Making changes to your habits. Some habits, such as being inactive, smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, living a stressful lifestyle or watching porn excessively, may also play a role in erectile dysfunction.
Consider making changes to your habits and lifestyle to treat ED. Our guide to naturally protecting your erection goes into more detail about lifestyle changes that you can make for better erections and sexual health.
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The Bottom Line on Zoloft and Your Sex Life
If you have depression, anxiety or another psychiatric disorder, using medication like Zoloft can help to make your symptoms less severe and significantly improve your quality of life.
Sexual side effects from Zoloft only affect a small percentage of users, but they can happen. If you notice any changes in your sex drive, erections or ability to enjoy sexual activity after using Zoloft, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know.
They may suggest adjusting your dosage of Zoloft, switching to a new antidepressant or taking other medication to improve your sexual response cycle and overall sexual performance.
In some cases, you may also benefit from using ED medication to improve blood flow and help you get and maintain erections more easily.
Worried about sexual side effects from Zoloft? Our guide to managing sexual side effects from antidepressants goes into more detail about what you can do if you notice ED, a low sex drive or other sexual issues after starting treatment with an SSRI.
You can also learn more about Zoloft and its active ingredient in our detailed guide to sertraline, which covers everything from how this medication works to its most common uses, side effects, potential interactions and more.
9 Sources
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.
- Singh, H.K. & Saadabadi, A. (2022, May 2). Sertraline. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547689/
- Higgins, A., Nash, M. & Lynch, A.M. (2010). Antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction: impact, effects, and treatment. Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety. 2, 141-150. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3108697/
- Chu, A. & Wadhwa, R. (2022, May 8). Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406/
- ZOLOFT- sertraline hydrochloride tablet, film coated. (2021, September). Retrieved from https://www.
accessdata.fda.gov/spl/data/ca266f27-bd08-49ba-8d79-a6dba8699bd9/ca266f27-bd08-49ba-8d79-a6dba8699bd9.xml - Jing, E. & Straw-Wilson, K. (2016, July). Sexual dysfunction in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and potential solutions: A narrative literature review. The Mental Health Clinician. 6 (4), 191-196. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007725/
- When an SSRI medication impacts your sex life. (2022, March 15). Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-an-ssri-medication-impacts-your-sex-life
- Brain Hormones. (2022, January 24). Retrieved from https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function/brain-hormones
- Sonne, J., Goyal, A. & Lopez-Ojeda, W. (2022, July 4). Dopamine. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535451/
- Gitlin, M.J., et al. (2002). Bupropion-sustained release as a treatment for SSRI-induced sexual side effects.
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. 28 (2), 131-138. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11894796/
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Erectile dysfunction: could Zoloft be to blame?
Overview
Zoloft (sertraline) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is used to treat a number of psychological conditions, including depression and anxiety. These conditions can cause erectile dysfunction (ED). However, Zoloft can also cause ED.
Read on to learn more about the relationship between ED, Zoloft and mental health.
How Zoloft can cause ED
SSRIs like Zoloft work by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin available in your brain.
While elevated serotonin levels can help relieve symptoms of depression or anxiety, it can also cause problems with your sexual function. There are several theories about how antidepressants like Zoloft cause ED. Some of them suggest that these drugs can do the following:
- reduce the sensitivity of the genitals
- reduce the action of two other neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine, which reduces desire and arousal
- block the action of nitric oxide
Nitric oxide relaxes your muscles and blood vessels, allowing enough blood to flow to your genitals. Without enough blood flowing to your penis, you won't be able to get or maintain an erection.
The severity of sexual problems caused by Zoloft varies from person to person. For some men, the side effects decrease as the body adjusts to the medication. For others, the side effects do not go away. nine0003
treatment for ED
If your ED is caused by depression or anxiety, it may improve once Zoloft starts to work.
If you are not taking Zoloft for a very long time, wait a few weeks to see if the situation improves.
Talk to your doctor if you think your ED is related to Zoloft. If they agree, they can adjust your dosage. A lower dosage may reduce the effect of the drug on your sexual function. Your doctor may also suggest that you try a different type of antidepressant instead of an SSRI. Finding the right treatment for depression, anxiety, and similar disorders takes time. It often takes several adjustments to medications and dosages before settling on the right ones. nine0003
Your doctor may suggest other remedies if you find that your ED is not due to depression or Zoloft. For example, you may be taking another medication to treat your ED symptoms.
Other causes of ED
Zoloft, depression and anxiety are just some of the causes that can cause ED. Normal sexual function involves many parts of your body, and they all need to work together properly to produce an erection.
An erection affects your blood vessels, nerves, and hormones. Even your mood can play a role. nine0003
Other factors that can affect your sexual function include:
Age
Studies show that ED tends to increase with age. By the age of 40, about 40 percent of men have experienced ED at least once in their lives. By the age of 70, this number reaches about 70 percent. Sexual desire may also decrease with age.
Erectile dysfunction and your age: is it inevitable? »
Health conditions
Certain health conditions increase the risk of developing ED. Examples of such conditions include:
- Diabetes
- heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Payroni disease
- Distributed sclerosis
- Parkinson disease
- The tender brain injury and arteries
1900. medications can also cause ED. This includes:
- other SSRIs such as citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac)
- the antihistamine cimetidine
- diuretics such as chlorothiazide and chlorthalidone
- pain relievers such as opioids
Learn more about drugs that can cause ED »
Lifestyle factors can also affect your ability to live 9003 erection.
Smoking, alcohol and drug use can be part of the problem. Stress and obesity can also contribute to sexual dysfunction. If you and your doctor think lifestyle issues are the cause of your ED, make changes accordingly. If you smoke, try to quit. Cut down on alcohol use. And if you have a substance abuse problem, seek help. Also, make time for some physical activity every day. It helps with blood flow, weight control, and stress reduction. nine0003
Continue reading: 5 Natural Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction »
Talk to your doctor
There are many possible causes of ED, and if you're taking Zoloft, this could be the culprit. The only way to know for sure is to talk to your doctor. They can help you find the cause of your problem and fix it. They can also answer any questions you may have, such as:
- Is there another antidepressant that might work better for me? nine0014
- If Zoloft does not cause ED, what do you think?
- Do I need to make lifestyle changes to improve my sexual function?
Q&A
Q:
Which antidepressants are the least likely to cause sexual side effects?
Patient Anonymous
A:
Any antidepressant can cause sexual problems.
However, two drugs in particular have been shown to have a slightly lower risk of problems such as ED. These drugs are bupropion (Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron). nine0003 The answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
Antidepressant Zoloft in the practice of a general practitioner
Choosing an antidepressant. Focus on the needs of the patient Top page topics
12/29/2016
Antidepressant Zoloft in the practice of a general practitioner The work of a doctor of any profile has its own characteristics. The specifics of the work of a general practitioner is determined by a wide range of his diagnostic and therapeutic activities, sometimes without clear boundaries. In the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, the therapist interacts (collaborates, and sometimes competes) with a cardiologist, in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system - with a gastroenterologist, in the treatment of kidney diseases - with a nephrologist and urologist, etc.
Therapists along with traumatologists and rheumatologists often treat patients with osteochondrosis, arthrosis and arthritis. It is the therapist who can be the main doctor for patients with several concomitant diseases, since he has to put into practice the principle “to treat not the disease, but the patient” and sometimes draw up the final comprehensive treatment plan, taking into account the appointments of narrow specialists. nine0044 The therapist is rightly called the “primary link” of the health care system and the “family doctor”, since he has to deal with the issues of primary diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. Many patients, regardless of the identified pathology, remain under his supervision, and the treatment of the rest (referring to narrow specialists) can subsequently be carried out with his participation. And of course, for each patient, the therapist should ideally be a personal psychotherapist. In his work, the therapist often encounters certain manifestations of depression, which are detected in many patients with a therapeutic profile.
According to statistics, 80% of all patients with depressive disorders first turn to a therapist, which is due to both objective and subjective reasons. Among the objective reasons, one can single out the mutual influence of the pathogenetic mechanisms of mental disorders and organic diseases (including internal diseases). nine0003 On the one hand, depression can create conditions for the formation of organic diseases, aggravate and change their course. This is mediated through a variety of neuroendocrine and immunological mechanisms, regarding the interaction of which there is no consensus today. However, it is believed that they are realized through significant violations of autonomic functions, which leads to the formation of "organ neuroses". Pathological enhancement of sympathoadrenal influences may be accompanied by the formation of persistent arterial hypertension, hyperthyroidism, reduced glucose tolerance, and an increase in the content of inflammatory enzymes in the synovial fluid.
nine0003 Parasympathetic pathological influences contribute to the formation of bronchospastic syndrome and hypersecretion of gastric juice. On the other hand, the pathogenesis of long-term chronic somatic diseases involves the formation of certain psychological changes that create prerequisites for the development of depression. The so-called psychosomatic disorders include not only organ neuroses (syndrome of "irritable stomach", "irritable intestines", "irritated bladder" and other "irritated" organs, functional coprostasis, esophageal achalasia), but also angina attacks that occur as a conditioned reflex , bronchospasm, etc. Such disorders are often accompanied by phobias (fear of gas incontinence, inability to use the toilet) and psychoreactive states (neurotic syndromes, affective and pathocharacterological reactions). nine0003
Thus, one group of patients with depression at the therapist's appointment is made up of "dispensary" patients who have new symptoms, and the other is new patients who turned to the therapist with somatic manifestations of depression.
It should be noted that in these difficult conditions, the timely diagnosis of depressive disorders largely depends on the qualifications of the doctor: the appearance of somatic symptoms in a patient with depression is often mistakenly perceived as vegetative manifestations of psychogenic disorders, and the addition of symptoms of depression to the clinic of a somatic disease is considered as astheno-vegetative or " hypochondriacal "syndrome (as part of the clinic of the underlying disease). nine0003 The diagnostic principle of searching for one disease that explains the fullness of the symptoms in a particular patient (correct in most cases) often plays a cruel joke with the doctor when diagnosing depression. In addition, the primary appearance of depressive symptoms or its addition to somatic pathology significantly reduces the patient's adherence to treatment. As for the subjective reasons for such a high frequency of patients with depression visiting a therapist, it can be noted that a significant part of patients, even suspecting the nature of their condition, under the influence of subjective factors, prefers to seek help not from a psychiatrist (some fear publicity about the fact of observation by a psychiatrist and related social restrictions, others the alleged negative side effects of psychotropic drugs).
nine0003 The specificity of the medical activity of a general practitioner also determines the features of the choice of drugs. As their own observations show, general practitioners prefer to start treatment with broad-spectrum drugs with a proven therapeutic effect, without pronounced side effects and adverse interactions with other drugs, which have a positive effect on the most common comorbidities, which have a convenient mode of administration - then There are first-line drugs that are safe and effective in most patients. Thus, in the treatment of arterial hypertension, we often begin therapy with the use of modern calcium antagonists (amlodipine) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (quinapril, lisinopril). When choosing antibiotic therapy, we often start treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), in particular sertraline (Zoloft, Phizer), occupy such a place in the arsenal of a general practitioner for the treatment of depressive conditions.
nine0003 As a characteristic representative of the SSRI group, Zoloft has all the main advantages of this group of antidepressants. From other drugs used in the treatment of depression, SSRIs differ in fewer and less severe side effects. They do not increase the effect of alcohol and tranquilizers when taken at the same time. The drugs of this group, unlike sulpiride, do not affect the level of prolactin. If you look at the list of side effects of SSRIs, then it becomes uncomfortable (for both the doctor and the patient): anxiety, sleep disturbances, vision, gait, digestive disorders, sexual function and endocrine system organs are possible. However, in our clinical practice, only parasympathicotonic effects of SSRIs were encountered: sweating, hypotension and dizziness, dry mouth, and the frequency of these effects was rather low. nine0003
Indications for the appointment of Zoloft are depression (including accompanied by a sense of anxiety) with or without a history of mania; obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) in adults and children; panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia; post-traumatic stress disorder; social phobia (social anxiety disorder).
With a satisfactory result of treatment, continuation of sertraline therapy is an effective means of preventing recurrence of the initial episode of depression and its development in the future; recurrence of the initial episode of obsessive-compulsive disorder; panic disorder, initial episode of post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia. nine0003 Sertraline does not cause drug dependence; does not have the stimulating and disturbing effects characteristic of D-amphetamine, or the sedative effect and psychomotor disturbances characteristic of alprazolam; does not have a stimulating, sedative or anticholinergic effect, and also does not show a cardiotoxic effect in the experiment. A wide range of indications and significant therapeutic possibilities, high and predictable efficacy, ease of administration (reception and control), an insignificant frequency of side effects determine the choice of Zoloft as a treatment for depression, as well as concomitant psychogenic and autonomic disorders in general therapeutic practice.
