The first time I took Zoloft it worked wonders for me. Everything that I felt was wrong with me seemed to be fixed, which included depression, anxiety, lack of motivation, apathy and obsessive thinking to be exact. Then due to loss of insurance I could no longer afford it and had to taper off. Everything had been going smoothly for a while on the Zoloft (about 2 years) and since I had no choice but to stop taking it, I thought, here goes. Sure enough the depression and it's buddies came back, and luckily I was able to get back on the Zoloft. This time, however, it never kicked in the way it did before, even when I took a greater dosage than I did the first time. It never occurred to me that the Zoloft just wasn't working anymore until I discovered on several forums that many depression sufferers also had an experience with Zoloft losing it's effectiveness over time. My plan is to go to my doctor and switch to a new medication. I'm mainly pretty concerned that this second time around I have been on Zoloft and never even thought that I might need to switch medications. I assumed that since Zoloft worked the first time it would always work. My question is how many more people have experienced this with their antidepressant? Which one were you taking and were you able to switch to one that worked for you? I realize that different ones work differently for everybody, but all of the posts that I've read in which the drug wasn't effective anymore, it happened with Zoloft.
Anybody else find that Zoloft loses effectiveness after a while?
Question posted by stilllsearching on 28 Feb 2012
Last updated on 23 November 2017 by WildcatVet
8 Answers
ALL psychotropic drugs have a propensity for "pooping out" on some people over long term use.
I've had many do this over the 40yrs of my MDD and BP ll... fortunately, I always found another medication equally effective.
I took Zoloft off and on (no more than 100mg)for 20 years. I was on 50mg and cruising along and major depression hit. My psych increased it gradually over 8 weeks to the max dose of 200mg (brand name Zoloft, not generic). The more I took, the worse I got. I was having increased anxiety and OCD thoughts. Finally, after 8 weeks, I became suicidal. I could not sleeep or eat. I was adding benzos to sleep. I was a wreck. Could not function. Luckily, there is a really nice mental health facility that I was able to go to and they slowly weaned Me from the Zoloft and the benzos. They gave me an antidepressant called Remeron which really helped with my sleep and mood. It's sorta different from other SSRIs. The less you take, the more sedation. I could tell a difference in one week. I feel so much better now but it is really interesting about the Zoloft. I thought I was gonna die.
Hi, stillsearching! *Poop out* can occur with any antidepressant given time in some cases. Antidepressants don't cure depression/anxiety they merely control the symptoms so if you're not on the medication the symptoms return.
Glad you're considering switching medication ~ there are many good ones out there.
Best regards and hope you're feeling better soonest!
Sertraline 75mg making me feel low up it for 4 now was working abit now doesn't work depression more been on this drug for 3 months now started on 25mg the 50mg now on 75mg feel still low thought would be alot Better on it Buy now tried 100mg for 4 days felt rough so went Back to 75mg anxiety gon abit but more sad and feel like crying all the time but don't
Hi... I was on zoloft for over 15 years too and now it doesnt work..Im 45 and believe mines is to do with perimenapause... I think everything is out of wack in me...
Hello stillsearching. Yes, its more common than you might believe. Ones system can and often does build up a tolerance to a drug. Zoloft is one of the drugs in that area. If you feel a need to change, a taper is suggested. best of wishes,pledge
Hi searcher - putting a disclaimer first:) since, obviously, I don't know u, my response is as a layperson & only IMHO. Yes, it's quite common 4 Zoloft 2 lose its efficacy after extended use. Currently, at the clinic I work at, for the symptoms u described, we seem 2 be having the best success w/ Lexapro. Check out PubMed - there's some good research 2 back that up. On a more personal note, my sis has ur symptomology & experienced the same problem - after 4 yrs of success on Zoloft, it stopped working. But she understandably had qualms about switching meds. She finally felt so depressed & so little of any other emotions that she switched 2 Lexapro & has really come alive again. Antidepressents are tricky - some people do fine on the same one for as long as they need it while others frequently need adjustments or total changes.
It's like watching commercials or reading lit 4 antidepressents - there's always that "it is thought to work by... " meaning we really don't know exactly how they all work & why people respond differently 2 the same drug. I wish we did. Hope u have a good psychiatrist u can go over all this with 2 help u make the best choice 4 you. For ur symptoms, one thing I'd be wary of trying is Abilify. It's just my opinion (no real research yet) but I've seen way to many clients & my sister have problems with it. I'm a psychologist so no MD - hence the hoping u have a good psychiatrist 2 go over all this with! Best of luck 2 u & keep searching - the truth is out there :)
hi Ss, names Robert. I too feel that Zoloft loses its effects over time. I tell my doc n all he wants to do is up the dose. At a point, i was at 150 mg. Ok, great, it wiped away the problems but eventually made my sex life a livn hell. or should i say "lack of". So i told the doc the situation and now hes lowering the dose slowly and putn me back on the Wellbutrin. I was takn off the wellbutrin because of the same problem of it not being as effective. Its an endless circle
Related topics
zoloft, depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder
Further information
- Zoloft uses and safety info
- Zoloft prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Zoloft (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
