Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Quickly Does Zoloft Start to Work?UsesHow Do You Know It’s Working?DosingPrecautionsSpecial Dietary Guidance
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Quickly Does Zoloft Start to Work?
Uses
How Do You Know It’s Working?
Dosing
Precautions
Special Dietary Guidance
Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) is a prescription medication used to treat the following:
Serotonin is aneurotransmitterthat helps regulate mood, pain, and other neurological and psychological functions.
The time it takes for Zoloft to start working varies from person to person.
You may experience some improvement within the first one to two weeks of treatment.
However, generally, it will take about four to six weeks or, in some cases, up to eight weeks for you to feel the full effects of the medication.
Reading a prescription medication label.Eyesfoto / Getty Images
Eyesfoto / Getty Images
What Is Zoloft Used For?
Off-label uses of Zoloft include:
How Do You Know if Zoloft Is Working?
If Zoloft is working, you should expect to see improvements in the following during the first one to two weeks of treatment:
Improvements in your mood and interest in daily activities tend to occur after taking the medication for the expected four to six weeks.
It is essential to take Zoloft precisely as your healthcare provider prescribes.
What Do You Do When Zoloft Is Not Helping?
Clinically, an adequate trial of anSSRIlike Zoloft is considered to be at a minimum of six weeks.
If you do not think that your condition is getting better with Zoloft, please talk with your healthcare provider before you stop taking Zoloft.
Stopping Zoloft too quickly may cause severe symptoms, such as:
What Are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
Zoloft Dosing
Zoloft is available as an oral tablet, capsule, and solution. Keep in mind the following when taking Zoloft:
What Precautions Are There for Zoloft?
You should not take Zoloft if you have one of the following:
Please let your healthcare provider know if any of the following apply to you:
Taking Zoloft in these circumstances may negatively impact or worsen the condition.
Side Effects & Safety
Common side effects of Zoloft may include but are not limited to the following:
Serious side effects of Zoloft may include but are not limited to the following:
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you have a medical emergency.
Zoloft carries a boxed warning for increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and young adults 24 years and younger.
Suicide Prevention HotlineIf you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Zoloft Interactions
Do not use Zoloft with the following medications:
In addition to these medications, some drugs can affect how sertraline works. Tell your healthcare provider if you are using the following:
This is not a complete list of medicines that interact with Zoloft. For more detailed information about medication interactions with Zoloft, talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any other medicines you take or plan to take, including over-the-counter, nonprescription products, vitamins, herbs, or plant-based medicines.
Do notdrink alcohol while taking Zoloft.
Zoloft tablets and capsules may be taken with or without food.
When you’re experiencing depression or anxiety, eating a balanced diet and regular meals can be helpful.
If you’d like tailored food guidance to help your mood, contact aregistered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN).
Summary
The time is takes for Zoloft to start working is different for everyone.
It generally takes four to six weeks or, in some cases, eight weeks to experience the full effects of Zoloft.
If you have waited the expected time frame and do not believe that Zoloft is the best medication for your condition, please talk to your healthcare provider before stopping the medication.
Stopping Zoloft too quickly may cause serious unwanted side effects.
If Zoloft isn’t working for you, your healthcare provider will either help you taper off Zoloft or find another alternative medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Zoloft may cause weight gain but can also cause weight loss in some people. The extent of weight gain while taking Zoloft will be different from person to person. It is suggested that weight gain with Zoloft could result from increased appetite as your mood improves.
The maximum dose of Zoloft is 200 milligrams per day.
Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) is used to treat:Major depressive disorder(MDD)Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD)Panic disorder(PD)Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)Social anxiety disorder(SAD)Premenstrual dysphoric disorder(PMDD)
Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) is used to treat:
21 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Zoloft label.
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