Taking Zoloft For Depression - Is It Safe And
Effective?
Author: Heather Colman

Zoloft is a prescription drug that treats a diverse range of
disorders. Some of the common disorders are depression,
post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive
disorder. Zoloft works to make sure more serotonin is released
to the brain. Seratonin is a chemical that the brain associates
with happiness.

The safety of taking this drug is under debate. A major study
in USA stated that Sertaline, which is the main ingredient in
Zoloft, appears to be ineffective when treating depression of
moderate severity. The company that manufactures Zoloft has
been charged recently with not coming forward with information
about the side effects of the drug. Since then many more people
have taken them to court. The company has also been forced to
place warnings about the side effects of this drug on all
bottles of all Zoloft.

The major side effects of taking Zoloft include insomnia,
gastro intestinal complaints and dizziness. More severe
reactions can include mania and hypomania.

The rate of people affected by mania and hypomania are 1 in 50
patients. Zoloft has been made illegal for children under the
age of 18 unless they are suffering from obsessive-compulsive
disorder. This has come about because of an increase in
suicidal behavior and depression that young people have
experienced when on this drug. It is alleged that it is not
only young people that are feeling the effects of increased
suicidal behaviors and depression while on Zoloft.

It is believed that Zoloft can also cause a condition known as
Akathisia. This condition is characterized as an overwhelming
physical and mental restlessness that eventually leads to
destructive behavior in the patient.

It is important to keep an eye on anyone who has just started
taking an anti depressant medication such as Zoloft. If a
patient becomes irritable, more depressed, begins to have new
or increased thoughts of suicide or usual behavioral changes,
it is in the patients best interest to contact a heath care
professional immediately.

However it is being debated by some professionals whether
Zoloft is really as unsafe as some people believe. Because of
the types of illnesses that Zoloft is used to treat it is hard
to know whether some of the side effects are because of the
illness being treated or the result of the drug being taken.

Taking Zoloft for depression can be risky due to some of the
severe side effects. If anti depressants are required for a
patient, a qualified health care professional can discuss the
patient's options and provide valuable advice on the best
alternatives available for treatment of a disorder.

Disclaimer - The information presented here should not be
interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk
to a qualified professional for more information on Zoloft.


About The Author: Copyright (c) 2006, Heather Colman. Find more
Zoloft resources at: http://www.zoloft-support.info/sitemap.php
and http://www.ebookpalace.com