I've been on zoloft for 2 weeks and have experienced little interest in sexual activities and other sexual side effects also. The medicine has helped w/ the depression alot, so i don't want to come off of it. So do I have to live with these side effects or is there something to do?
123811
Sorry to say but this is a common problem with antidepressants. Talk with your doctor, there is no pill that can fix it though, and as for just wanting to do it, well wait awhile, it may not be necessary to be on these antidepressants forever. If you are unmarried you have nothing to worry about, if married make certain that your partner knows that this is a side effect and has nothing to do with him. Wish I could have been more help. These pills are good sometimes and other times can cause even more problems.. Stay with them awhile and talk with your doctor. Good Luck to you
456069
I haven't noticed any problems, and I'm currently taking it.  I dug around a bit on your behalf, however (hey!  Yours is a good question!), and found this:\n\n"While depression can affect your sexual functioning, your antidepressant shouldn't. Many people with depression have concerns about changes in sexual functioning. WELLBUTRIN XL effectively treats depression with a low risk of sexual side effects. In fact, studies show that the risk of sexual side effects with WELLBUTRIN XL is no different than a sugar pill (placebo). If you are concerned about sexual side effects with antidepressant treatment, fill out an Intimacy Quiz, and take the results to your doctor to discuss if WELLBUTRIN XL may be right for you."\n\nIt's availible at Wellbutrin's web site:   http://www.wellbutrin-xl.com/index.html\n\nHope this helps!
590903
Sertraline is one of the ingrediants that is used in Zoloft, the popular Pfizer anti-depressant medication. There is a good amount that you can find out on this drug by simply doing a google search. \n\nI know that sertraline can cause a person to be anxious, even greatly aggitated. It is also known to cause suicidal thoughts.\n\nI would highly suggest that you go see your doctor and let them know what you are experiencing. I had a friend that went through the same thing. He started taking Wellbutrin and said that worked much better for him. However people have different reactions to different drugs.\n\nAlso, I would suggest taking vitamins and balancing out your diet. Do some research on what you have and are experiencing and see if there some food and vitamin modifications you can use. They are finding out more and more in independent research studies that diet is one of the main reasons that people go through mental complications. \n\nI hope this was helpful. Under my sources I have listed a link that discusses the warnings for Zoloft that contains sertaline. \n\nHave a good day! :)
663860
It is not rare - it is a common side effect.  But it actually matters what kind of antidepressant you are on.  If it is welbutrin, the side effects are common, but less severe.  the other more common ones - the side effect is common.  Ask your doctor to try another kind, maybe welbutrin (if that isn't the one you are on) or perhaps another type of anti- depressant.  Good luck.  And yes, been there.  Couldn't have an orgasm to save my life.  I'm not on them now, so all is fine.  but I know what you are going through.
661238
Not all antidepressants have sexual side effects.  I'm not certain off the top of my head what ones they are but I know there are some out there.  Talk to your doctor and tell him your concerns, he'll know what best to prescribe to help you with the least bothersome side effects that you are concerned of. Also antidepressants shouldn't cause mood swings, if they do you are on the wrong thing!
532807
I started 10mg of Lexapro about 4 weeks ago, the drowsiness for me went away about into the 3rd week.  Sometimes after a long day, I just lay down and take a nap.  It does help, the benefits though of Lexapro outweigh the side effects.  There are side effects with ALL medications.  The good news is with antidepressants they eventually evaporate, or should anyway, if after a month it gets worse, or no better talk to your doc, he/she may have to change either the dosage or the med, or the time you are taking it.  They will help you, BUT you have to be patient and give it some time to do the job.  I know, I was inpatient too.  He first put me on zoloft and I turned into a zombie for 3 weeks, he took me off and put me on Lexapro.  I definitly had less side effects.  Hang in there, it could be worse, trust me.\nGood luck
153579
Here's the side effects.  My girlfriend takes lexapro and had the oh so fortunate side effect of loss of sex drive until it built up in her system, as is common with most antidepressants.  That took about a month.  There's more on the source.\n\nSIDE EFFECTS See also the Warning section. Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, increased sweating, and trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: changes in sexual interest/performance/satisfaction, uncontrolled muscle movements (e.g., tremor, twitching). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: unusual or severe mental/mood changes (including rare thoughts of suicide), easy bruising/bleeding, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, seizures, changes in the amount of urine. For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist
193312
Yes. I was on Zoloft and I actually just stopped taking it. I too was on such a small dosage that it did't effect me in any way. I now take Lexapro and love it. Ask your doctor about that it has less side effects than all other anxiety/depression medicine.
176957
Go with the advice of your doc or pharmacist.  Regarding side effects, I'm not sure waht the above respondent is referring to-SSRI's are pretty safe drugs.
108519
I feel your pain.  I hate to sound like everybody else, but suicide does not solve anything.  I am not a therapist, I am simply a guy that knows exactly what you are going through.  I have been dealing with a severe case of depression for a coupple of months now.  I also have had some pretty dark thoughts about how things would be if I was no longer around.  I know you said you don't want to see a theripist.  That is exactly the same way I used to feel.  I at one time felt very alone in this  world.  I thought the entire world was hell-bent of making my life harder than everybody elses.  I would see happy people out and about and it made me want to throw up!  All I wanted was to just have one day where I did not feel any pain, physically or mentally.  I was not wanting to be the richest most popular person in the world, I just wanted to be happy... I did not think that was too much to want out of life.  One day I found myself sitting in my car looking for a good place to put an end to my suffering.  For some strange reason, I just drove home.  The next day I woke up and made an appointment with a theripist to try to get some help.  I have been seeing her for a few months now, and I am feeling pretty good.  I also was perscribed Zoloft.  I used to be against just "masking" symptoms with Meds, but I really do have to say the Zoloft really does seem to smooth out the bumps of everyday life.  \nBack to you... I know you feel all alone in your depression, just know it effects many more people than you would think.  It really does help to talk about what you are feeling with someone you feel comfortable with.  You say you are not afraid of death... I used to say the same thing, I used to think I had already lived "enough" life.  That is untill My best friend from college died a few weeks ago.  We were both the same age, It hit me like a ton of bricks... I have not lived a full life yet.  There are so many things I have yet to experience... I realized I was not ready to end things.  Sure I still get "down" from time to time, but the therapy has taught me to work through things, and not to always put emphisis on the negitive of every situation.  It may sound like a line of pure crap... But Positive Thinking really does work!  You are in controll of your life... try to look for the light at the end of every tunnel.... I assure you, things can get better, but you need to be willing to let those changes happen.  \nI hope I helped you out.  If you ever want to chat to somebody that has been in the same situation you are in, you can always e-mail me jam961@yahoo.com  Sometimes it is easier to open up to a sympathetic ear.  I wish you the best of luck!  I really hope you start to feel better.  Just remember, you are never alone, you have all of us here on Yahoo Answers to talk to.
499229
Hi KARYN:\nI am glad you are getting off of Zoloft as for some it is a wonder drug, while others end up like walking zombies. Any medication that you take in this category has to keep you the same as you were physically, but take the edge off and make things easier to cope with mentally.\nI think EFFEXOR is the best one for you to try. It doesn't have the side effects like others (including Zoloft) and it will help you immensely!\nI hope this helps and if you have any questions just ask!!\niamjustrandy@yahoo.com
628598
A few years ago I started taking zoloft and was already smoking mj for a while. I was curious about the same thing. Zoloft made me feel really weird and strung out or something. Also after taking Zoloft I experienced momentary black-outs until it was completely out of my system. I didn't notice anything bad from combing the two but I'd stay away from Z.
555404
I went from 20 mg Celexa to 40 mg Celexa no problem at all. The only difference is I feel a whole lot better. I tried Zoloft first and that wasn't any help at all. Zoloft will give you a roller coaster effect. Celexa if really good for depression and also panic attacks.
528808
What you're experiencing are typical side effects to SSRI's - All psychotropic drugs come with side effects and they should go away in a week or two.  As per the effect, you'll feel it full blast in about a month, maybe even two, with any SSRI.  You're essentially changing the chemical response to serotonin production in your brain.  Once the reuptake inhibitors kick in, you will feel very different, but it takes a little while so be patient.  You sound really open minded to taking meds and I think that's great!\n\nHere's some info written by this crazy dude who knows everything about psychotropic drugs.  \n\nProzac's pros and cons:\nPros: Prozac's long half-life makes the issue of med compliance a little less of a big deal, hence the approval for depressed teenagers. It also has studies backing it up for PMDD, by Lilly and independent researchers, including the Amen clinic, where I'm treated. You can see at the Amen Clinic's case studies in practice the more common form of PMDD that responds to SSRIs will respond to whichever SSRI you get along with the best. Prozac Weekly does have an advantage for certain forms of PMDD.\n\n \n\nCons: That really long half-life means it takes forever to wean yourself off of  Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) to avoid SSRI discontinuation syndrome.  But only if the discontinuation syndrome hits you hard, which is fairly uncommon with Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride).  In fact some more enlightened doctors will prescribe the liquid form to help wean patients off of other SSRIs and Effexor (venlafaxine). The sexual side effects, though, are pretty bad.  For being the weakest of the SSRIs the side effects are pretty gnarly.\n\nProzac's side effects:\n\nTypical Side Effects: The usual for SSRIs - headache, nausea, dry mouth, sweating, sleepiness or insomnia, and diarrhea or constipation, weight gain, loss of libido. Most everything but the weight gain and loss of libido usually goes away within a couple of weeks. With Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) it's a coin toss as to losing or gaining weight. Sometimes it will just kill your appetite.\n\nNot So Common Side Effects: Rash, 'flu-like symptoms, anger/rage.\n These may or may not happen to you don't, so don't be surprised one way or the other.\n\n \n\nFreaky Rare Side Effects: Bleeding gums, amnesia, anti-social reaction (oh, come on, like we're not anti-social already), herpes (again, blaming the med for an STD), excessive hair growth, engorged breasts, involuntary tongue protrusion (in one 77-year-old woman who stopped sticking her tongue out at everyone after they stopped giving her Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride)).\n\nYou aren't going to get these. I promise.\n\nInteresting Stuff Your Doctor Probably Won't Tell You: Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) has been found to make a lot of other drugs work better. Great, huh? Not always, as with some meds it can be to the point of overdose. But it was that effect that lead to the breakthrough of the antipsychotic & antidepressant cocktail to treat bipolar depression. Anyway, Tegretol (carbamazepine) could suddenly get toxic on you and Xanax (alprazolam) could knock you out if you add Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) to them, or add them to Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride), so be careful and always check your drug-drug interactions! A big part of this is the usual pharmacokinetic stuff of liver enzymes being able to deal with only so much, and Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) gives your liver a bit of a workout.  But that doesn't explain the entire effect of all of the drug-drug interactions.  There's some pharmacodynamic (how meds work in your brain) stuff going on as well.\nProzac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) isn't such a hot idea for anyone with diabetes, and not because of potential weight gain, rather it messes with your glycemic control.\n\n \n\nProzac's Dosage and How to Take Prozac: I'm just going
12099
Not addicted but I certainly think about it a lot. haven't experienced it in over six years (No small thanks to Zoloft!) but I don't particularly miss it. Only want it within the context of a loving relationship!
381012
I love Prozac!  I can not live without out. I was told to stay on Prozac for nine months as well. This drug works good, well before the ninth month, with me anyway. I guess that is when you will get the complete effect of it.  The only thing I did not and do not like (the one that sticks out in my mind the most that is) is the lack of sex drive.  That is a bummer.  I have been on it now for 15yrs.  I tried to ween myself off a couple of times with my Doctors awareness but I would start to go down hill after a month or so. So back on it and feeling good again. Guess the other side effects were not worth remembering or just were not that bad to be burnt in my mind. Good luck.
468492
i take lexapro now and had been on 40 mg a day. i caused problems ejaculating. i just cut my dose down to 30mg and next week it will go down to 20mg. i want to get my sex life back but i am also very worried about my mental state. look on webmd.com