44 years old going through a separation and eventually a divorce and not really a depressed person but I do have anxiety issues and have had anxiety issues since I was a teenager. My doctor prescribed me 100 mg a day. I've looked at prescribing information on this site as well as other sites and I noticed most people are starting out on 25 mg per day for the first week and increasing from there. I've heard the horror stories all my life about antidepresants and never ever thought I'd be on them and actually I am afraid to start on such a high dose and wondering is that normal or if anyone else has been started out on such a high dose? I do go through periods of sadness or depression but in general, I am a happy person with a good attitude. Thanks in advance for any helpful insight!
Zoloft - Starting off on 100mg per day instead of 25mg per day and increase from there normal?
- Asked
- 9 Dec 2014 by tomcat72
- Updated
- 17 December 2014
- Topics
- zoloft, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, doctor, prescription, teenager
Answers (4)
I started off on 100mgs and within a week I was up at 200mgs. I feel Zoloft really helps me as I have tried many over the last 2yrs. I take mirtazipine 45mgs at night and 45mgs of buspirone. I feel this is the right combination for me.
It's subjective, general info is just that, general. What your Dr opts to do for your unique situation is specific, so, that in mind , it may not be a high dose (for you).
For anxiety it is sometimes better to start with a lower dose of an SSRi or SSNRi but everyone is different
Be cautious with using Zoloft for anxiety. A potential side effect of it is anxiety attacks. I was put on 50mg for anxiety and within a week I was having multiple daily anxiety attacks compared to 3 or less per week before Zoloft. I went back to my Dr after looking it up in my copy of the Physicians drug handbook as well as reading the full information that came from the pharmacy with my prescription and seeing that increased anxiety and anxiety/panic attacks was listed as a side effect.
I showed my Dr the book and the paper from the pharmacy that stated the same thing and actually taught my Dr something because he was unaware that was possible when prescribed to people for anxiety. I can't imagine he would be the only Dr that didn't/doesn't know that, I'm sure others don't as well.
If your anxiety worsens, go back to your Dr immediately and ask to be tried on something else. There are better drugs specifically for short term treatment of anxiety that are taken as needed that work much better and carry less short term and long term risks than Zoloft and other medications of the same class as Zoloft.
Personally I will never take another antidepressant for any reason as I am not depressed in anyway (only have mild to moderate anxiety). Also, I do not feel that using such to treat something that is also a listed side effect of the drug is acceptable practice. Although I'm sure some disagree.
Years ago My GP started me on 50mg a day... I felt like I had drunk several cups of coffee... was a nervous wreck I have read Prozac/fluoxetine and Zoloft/sertraline are "energizing" and Paxil/paroxetine is "sedating" Off the SSRis and SSNRis trazodone and buspar help me chill... IMHO SSRis and SSNRIS are better for MDD and not that good for atypical depression that is depression with anxiety
Further Information
- Zoloft Information for Consumers
- Zoloft Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Zoloft (detailed)
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