Is Zoloft Safe For Treatment Of Depression?

Posted on Fri, 18 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 Answered on

Wed, 14 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : my 17 son was just put on zoloft 50 mg he was humming and shaking his leg at dinner to night and zoning out has a hard time going to sleep is this normal and is this really
the safest drug for his age and depression he has been on them for 5 days

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Zoloft is drug of hoice in juvenile depression

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthacre-Magic
greetings of the day

Zoloft or the generic name Setraline is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor group of antidepressant.
Its very much useful and is drug of choice in juvenile depression. Compared to other anti-depressants it has less side effects and drug interactions. Initially few minor side effects can be noticed in first 2 weeks of initiation of therapy but they gradually subside. I have used it in my clinical practice and many of my colleagues and is very effective.
Following are the benfits of using Zoloft compared to other anti-depressants
1. Little or no sedtion
2. Do not interfere with cognitive and psychomotor function
3. No postural hypotension
4. No seizure precipitating potential as compared to other anti-depressants
5. Overdosage does not produce serious cardiac abnormalities.

In clinical practise is 1st drug of choice for treatment of juvenile depression.

Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assit you.

Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS,MS,MCH
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar