HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Is It Safe To Take Zoloft For Depression And Panic Disorder Inspite Of Its Side Effects?

default
Posted on Sat, 29 Mar 2014
Question: I am diagnosed with depression and panic disorder and am on a prescription for Zoloft. I prefer not to take the medication because of the side effects. It makes me feel nervous and I have difficulty sleeping. Previously I was on Prozac and it's better for me. I felt better with Prozac and it didn't interfere with my sleep. I am currently traveling for 3 weeks am staying with a friend right now who has some Prozac in his medicine cabinet. The Prozac is expired (expired 3 years ago), and my friend does not take it any more. I want to stop taking my Zoloft during this trip. I stopped taking it a week ago and had a small panic attack this morning. If I continue to feel bad (depression or anxiety), I would like suggestions for how to handle depression without taking the medication. I really need to sleep well on this vacation. Please help me sleep better and give me suggestions for how to handle panic attacks and depression if I am off the medication. If I do have to take a medication on this trip, I prefer to take the Prozac which has always worked best for me. Please let me know if there is a problem taking the Prozac while I am traveling.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (7 hours later)
Brief Answer: NO its not advisable to start prozac Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. Zoloft is a good drug for anxiety and depression and its unfortunate that you could not tolerate this drug. Prozac is also a good drug, but there are two reasons why you should not start taking it in this trip: 1) Its expired. 2 years is a long time and you should better avoid it. 2) During the initial days of treatment prozac actually increases the anxiety by its activating action and is hence prescribed along with clonazepam during the initial two weeks. Ones your are home and if you are averse to taking medicines for your depression and anxiety there is an option of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness. As of now on the trip, there is not much that you can do . You mat try some relaxation exercises. Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation is a good way of relaxing yourself. In this you have to lie down calmly and in the presence of light muscic you are supposed to leave your body loose. Then from the top to botton you are expected to contract a set of muscles for 5-10 sec and then release it and feel the sense of relaxation. This has to be done for all the groups of muscle from head to the toe. Meanwhile keep your focus on your breath. This may take 10-20 min. You may do this 2-3 times a day. This may reduce your panic attacks. For depression you may stat some aerobic exercises. The release of endorphins will help you with your depression. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2770 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask a Psychiatrist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
Is It Safe To Take Zoloft For Depression And Panic Disorder Inspite Of Its Side Effects?

Brief Answer: NO its not advisable to start prozac Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. Zoloft is a good drug for anxiety and depression and its unfortunate that you could not tolerate this drug. Prozac is also a good drug, but there are two reasons why you should not start taking it in this trip: 1) Its expired. 2 years is a long time and you should better avoid it. 2) During the initial days of treatment prozac actually increases the anxiety by its activating action and is hence prescribed along with clonazepam during the initial two weeks. Ones your are home and if you are averse to taking medicines for your depression and anxiety there is an option of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness. As of now on the trip, there is not much that you can do . You mat try some relaxation exercises. Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation is a good way of relaxing yourself. In this you have to lie down calmly and in the presence of light muscic you are supposed to leave your body loose. Then from the top to botton you are expected to contract a set of muscles for 5-10 sec and then release it and feel the sense of relaxation. This has to be done for all the groups of muscle from head to the toe. Meanwhile keep your focus on your breath. This may take 10-20 min. You may do this 2-3 times a day. This may reduce your panic attacks. For depression you may stat some aerobic exercises. The release of endorphins will help you with your depression. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.