Zoloft

Zoloft has not been found to impair the ability to drive or operate machinery. Nevertheless, the manufacturer recommends caution until you know how the drug affects you.

If you are sensitive to latex, use caution when handling the dropper provided with the oral concentrate.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Zoloft

Remember that Zoloft must never be combined with pimozide (Orap) or an MAO inhibitor (see "Most important fact about this drug").

You should not drink alcoholic beverages while taking Zoloft. Use over-the-counter remedies with caution. Although none is known to interact with Zoloft, interactions remain a possibility.

If Zoloft is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Zoloft with the following:

Antidepressants that boost serotonin such as Paxil and Prozac
Other antidepressants, including tricyclics such as Elavil and Pamelor
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Diazepam (Valium)
Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
Flecainide (Tambocor)
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
Over-the-counter drugs such as cold remedies
Propafenone (Rythmol)
Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Tolbutamide (Orinase)
Warfarin (Coumadin)

If you are using the oral concentrate form of Zoloft, do not take disulfiram (Antabuse)

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Zoloft during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Zoloft should be taken during pregnancy only if it is clearly needed. It is not known whether Zoloft appears in breast milk. Caution is advised when using Zoloft during breastfeeding.

Recommended dosage

ADULTS

Depression or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The usual starting dose is 50 milligrams once a day, taken either in the morning or in the evening. The doctor may increase your dose depending upon your response. The maximum dose is 200 milligrams in a day.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder