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What Are The Withdrawal Effects Of Zoloft And How Are They Prevented ?
Question: I tried to wean myself of Zoloft and had panic attacks and high anxiety. I went back on the Zoloft but I am still having the withdrawl symptoms 10 days later. The tiger in my chest is gone but I feel like I am caught in the fight-or-flight mode and my body is over producing adreniline - my palms and the bottom of my feet are sweating a lot. What is happening and how can I fix it?
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting your query.
What you are having are the withdrawal effects of Zoloft.
Abrupt stoppage of this drug may cause dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g. paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache and lethargy. The dose has to be tapered off gradually under a medical supervision.
First, you should talk to your doctor and get the dose tapered off; as sometimes after abrupt start the dose may need adjustment and a lower dose may need to be prescribed.
Increased sweating is an autonomic side effect of this drug and since you have started it again after abrupt stopping, your dose should be monitored and lowered. In addition, to prevent sweating, wear cotton clothes for proper ventilation, take baths with cold water, drink plenty of water and try to keep the room temperature at a lower level. Quit smoking, eliminate alcohol and reduce stress levels.
This effect will go away slowly after the dose of Zoloft is lowered and regularized.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you a good health.
Regards
Thanks for posting your query.
What you are having are the withdrawal effects of Zoloft.
Abrupt stoppage of this drug may cause dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g. paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache and lethargy. The dose has to be tapered off gradually under a medical supervision.
First, you should talk to your doctor and get the dose tapered off; as sometimes after abrupt start the dose may need adjustment and a lower dose may need to be prescribed.
Increased sweating is an autonomic side effect of this drug and since you have started it again after abrupt stopping, your dose should be monitored and lowered. In addition, to prevent sweating, wear cotton clothes for proper ventilation, take baths with cold water, drink plenty of water and try to keep the room temperature at a lower level. Quit smoking, eliminate alcohol and reduce stress levels.
This effect will go away slowly after the dose of Zoloft is lowered and regularized.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you a good health.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Why does the dose have to be lowered? It is the dose I have been on for the past 7 years.
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back.
As mentioned earlier, increased sweating is an autonomic side effect of the drug Zoloft and sometimes when you discontinue the drug and then start again, the dose may need adjustment.
It may have to be lowered and then tapered off carefully by your doctor. If the symptoms persist of worsen then the dose is further elevated or even a higher dose (then what you were taking earlier) may have to be given and then very gradual tapering over a period of time is to be done.
Zoloft can have serious side effects as withdrawal effects and hence it is better to get the dose adjusted from your doctor rather than doing it on your own.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you a good health.
Regards
Thanks for writing back.
As mentioned earlier, increased sweating is an autonomic side effect of the drug Zoloft and sometimes when you discontinue the drug and then start again, the dose may need adjustment.
It may have to be lowered and then tapered off carefully by your doctor. If the symptoms persist of worsen then the dose is further elevated or even a higher dose (then what you were taking earlier) may have to be given and then very gradual tapering over a period of time is to be done.
Zoloft can have serious side effects as withdrawal effects and hence it is better to get the dose adjusted from your doctor rather than doing it on your own.
Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
Wishing you a good health.
Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Radhika
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