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Taking Zoloft And Increased Dosage. Anxiety Has Increased. Is This A Side Effect?
Question: HI, I have been on zoloft for 6 months and recently increased my dosage to 75mg and I have experienced and increase in anxiety it has been 3 weeks since I have been on the increased amount, is this a normal side effect? When will it start to diminish? should I continue and wait it out, will it get better?
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
As mentioned in your query, you have been n Zoloft (sertraline) for 6 months and are on an increased dose 75 mg since last three weeks. It is recently that you have been experiencing increase in anxiety.
It is perfectly normal to get increased anxiety when increasing the dosage as seen in many patients. Once you start that higher dosage, it takes 6-8 weeks from there to get back to normal.
You will certainly start feeling better. However, if that does not happen even after 8 weeks latest or if your anxiety levels are beyond control, please consult your doctor immediately.
Hope this helps,
Write back in case of doubts,
Dr A Rao Kavoor.
Thanks for writing in to us.
As mentioned in your query, you have been n Zoloft (sertraline) for 6 months and are on an increased dose 75 mg since last three weeks. It is recently that you have been experiencing increase in anxiety.
It is perfectly normal to get increased anxiety when increasing the dosage as seen in many patients. Once you start that higher dosage, it takes 6-8 weeks from there to get back to normal.
You will certainly start feeling better. However, if that does not happen even after 8 weeks latest or if your anxiety levels are beyond control, please consult your doctor immediately.
Hope this helps,
Write back in case of doubts,
Dr A Rao Kavoor.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, so tomorrow will be week 8 on my zoloft dosage increase at 75mg. I still get some anxiety through out the day and I feel like my head is always in a tense state, I just wanted to ask what should it feel like when you know a medicine is working for anxiety? I feel like I may want to switch but not sure if "this is as good as it gets" kinda deal.
Brief Answer:
Kindly wait till week 8 is over.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in with an update.
There is no feeling other than decrease in symptoms of anxiety to tell that a medicine is working.
I am aware that you are starting week 8 on 75 mg dosage and suggest you to wait for this week to get over considering the upper limits for resolution of possible side effects due to increased dosage.
If it doesn't improve by the end of this week, you need to discuss the matter with you psychiatrist. This becomes important as we have to make sure there has been no other event that could have increased the underlying disorder in you.
In that case, I would not say that "this is as good as it gets".
Hope your query is answered.
Write back in case of doubts,
Dr A Rao Kavoor.
Kindly wait till week 8 is over.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in with an update.
There is no feeling other than decrease in symptoms of anxiety to tell that a medicine is working.
I am aware that you are starting week 8 on 75 mg dosage and suggest you to wait for this week to get over considering the upper limits for resolution of possible side effects due to increased dosage.
If it doesn't improve by the end of this week, you need to discuss the matter with you psychiatrist. This becomes important as we have to make sure there has been no other event that could have increased the underlying disorder in you.
In that case, I would not say that "this is as good as it gets".
Hope your query is answered.
Write back in case of doubts,
Dr A Rao Kavoor.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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