Zoloft is the brand name of the generic medication sertraline hydrochloride. is a prescription medication used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and other serious mental health problems. Manufactured by Pfizer, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD) since 2003, and is the only medication approved for long-term treatment. A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), slows reabsorption of the chemical serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is believed to play a role in the regulation of mood and anxiety.How to Take :

comes in tablet or liquid form. Tablets must be swallowed whole — not chewed or crushed.

The liquid form of must be combined with one of the following fluids before use — water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade or orange juice. The prescribed amount of medication should be combined with one half cup of the chosen liquid, and each dose should be prepared immediately prior to use, not in advance.

is generally taken once daily, with or without food. If you forget to take a daily dose, take it when you remember. However if it is close to the time of your next dose, it is better to skip the missed dose altogether.

It is important to continue taking as long as your doctor instructs, even if you begin to feel better. If you abruptly stop taking , you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, tremors, lightheadedness, muscle pains, weakness, insomnia, and anxiety. To avoid these symptoms, your doctor will slowly taper your dosage when you stop taking . Dosage Guidelines for :

For people with SAD, typical dosage of starts at 25 mg, with an increase to 50 mg after one week. Weekly increases up to a maximum dose of 200 mg are permitted for patients who do not respond to lower doses. Who Shouldn’t Take :

should be used with caution if you:have impaired liver or kidney function, heart disease, diabetes, or a history of seizureshave bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorderare pregnant or planning to become pregnantare breastfeedingare receiving electroconvulsive therapyare allergic to sertralineare being treated with medication for alcohol abuse

has not been approved for the treatment of SAD in people under 18 years of age. There is some evidence to suggest an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children taking .Medication Interactions With :

should not be taken in combination with, or within weeks of taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), sibutramine, or pimozide. The result of such combinations can be fatal.

Caution should be used when taking a number of other medications in combination with . Consumption of alcohol is also not advised while taking . In general, you should inform your doctor of any prescription or over-the-counter medications, or any other substances that you are taking or plan to take. Side Effects of :

Side effects of may include nausea, drowsiness, sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, decreased appetite, sexual dysfunction and insomnia.

When first starting or when changing dosage, watch for more serious side effects such as agitation, nervousness, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, tremors, seizures, persistent vomiting or nausea, severe abdominal pain, changes in urine or stools (dark or increased urine, black stools), or yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to report these to your doctor immediately.

It is important to contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such as trouble breathing, severe dizziness, swelling, itching, or a skin rash.

may cause you to feel drowsy and reduce alertness. It is important not to drive, operate dangerous machinery, or participate in hazardous activities unless you are sure that is not affecting you in this way. Risks Associated with :

The risk of a fatal overdose of is low. Symptoms of an overdose include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, increased or slow heart rate, and coma.

When combined with some medications, there is risk of Serotonin Syndrome, a potentially fatal condition. Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome include agitation, confusion, sweating, hallucinations, abnormal reflexes, muscle spasms and rapid heartbeat. Jeffries, JJ, eds. Clinical Handbook of Psychotropic Drugs. Toronto, Canada: Hogrefe & Huber; 2003.

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St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an herbal medicine that has historically been used for treating various mental disorders and physical ailments. Current research suggests that St. John’s Wort is useful in treating mild to moderate depression. The usefulness of St. John’s Wort as a primary treatment for anxiety has not been established. A 2005 study of the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort in treating social anxiety disorder (SAD) found that patients who took the medicine didn’t improve any more than patients who took a placebo.

If you have been diagnosed with SAD, you should consult with your healthcare professional about effective primary treatment methods, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).How is St. John’s Wort Taken?:

St. John’s Wort is usually taken daily in pill form.What is the Dosage?:

In studies of SAD, the typical dosage ranges from 600 to 1800 milligrams of St. John’s Wort daily. However, because ingredients can vary, doses may also vary. Before taking St. John’s Wort, you should read the product label and discuss the dose with a qualified healthcare provider.Who Shouldn’t Take St. John’s Wort?:

There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend the use of St. John’s Wort for children under 18 years of age or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. St. John’s Wort also has the potential to interact with many other medications, herbs and supplements and may not be recommended in those cases. Medication Interactions:

St. John’s Wort interferes with the way the body processes or breaks down many medications, herbs and supplements. It may speed up or slow down this process causing increased or decreased effects, adverse reactions, or increased side effects.

The medications that may potentially interact with St. John’s Wort include, but are not limited to:birth control pillstricyclic antidepressantsselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)HIV drugs, such as Indinavircancer drugs, such as IrinotecanCyclosporine (used to prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs)Digoxin (strengthens heart muscle contractions)Warfarin and related anticoagulants

In general, you should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional and/or pharmacist about possible interactions.What Are the Side Effects of St. John’s Wort?:

The most common side effects of St. John’s Wort are sensitivity to sunlight, restlessness or anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue/sedation, headache, sexual dysfunction, and skin reactions.

Generally only a small percentage of people will experience side effects, and the side effects tend to be less than those associated with standard antidepressant medication. You should speak with a healthcare provider immediately if you experience any side effects.What Are the Risks Associated with St. John’s Wort?:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the production of herbs and supplements. Although there are known medication interactions for St. John’s Wort, most herbs and supplements are not thoroughly tested. There is also no guarantee regarding the ingredients or safety of the product.

Other supplements for social anxiety disorder:ChamomileKava KavaPassion FlowerRhodiola RoseaValerian RootWinter Cherry

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My fiance has been getting anxiety attacks for years, but up until recently, they didn’t happen very often and generally weren’t very severe. For the past year or so, however, they’ve gotten much more frequent and MUCH worse. Now he has a severe panic attack just about once a week or so, and sometimes they’re so bad that he has to call out of work because it takes hours for him to calm himself down.

He is somewhat mistrustful of doctors, which is why he hasn’t ever seen a doctor about his anxiety, but recently he has realized that he needs to see a doctor in order to obtain treatment for his anxiety problem. He has tried breathing exercises, which help a little bit when he’s having a panic attack, but it still usually takes him hours to calm down and “recover” from a panic attack. We both agree that he needs to get on some kind of anxiety medication in order to treat his disorder, as his anxiety is really affecting his life and impairing his ability to go to work regularly. He’s scared of getting on Xanex, though, because he doesn’t want to get addicted to anything (and Xanex is highly addictive).

So what type of anxiety medication do you think he should get on?

And also, could he get a prescription for it through a regular M.D., or are these types of prescriptions only prescribed by psychiatrists? He has health insurance through his job, so he was just going to make an appointment with a local doctor.

I took Xanax for years and I didnt become addicted to it I actually stopped using it become I dont get the anxiety attacks anymore.

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