Brief Answer:
You’re probably having discontinuation symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You’re probably having discontinuation symptoms to this zoloft (sertraline).

When SSRIs (here zoloft in your case) that affect the brain chemical serotonin are suddenly stopped, the body might respond with physical and emotional symptoms caused by the sudden absence of increased serotonin levels.

These symptoms are not technically the same thing as physical "withdrawal" from a drug. Physiological withdrawal happens when someone is taking a drug that can be addictive.

Unlike drug withdrawal,SSRIs (zoloft) discontinuation effects are not related to addiction but can reflect physiological consequences of stopping a drug, just like when someone with diabetes stops taking insulin.

You can do this,
I) Never stop this medication so suddenly or abruptly.

II) Always consult your doctor before stopping it.Your doctor knows suitable time to do that as per your past history symptoms and present health status.

III) The best way to reduce this discontinuation symptoms is gradual withdrawal of that drug specially in case of SSRIs.Your doctor can tapper the dose of the drug for about 2 weeks or more and can reduce the dose and then you can discontinue the drug after that.

So,it would be advisable if you consult your treating doctor regarding drug withdrawal.

Regards,

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Brief Answer:
The readjustment period might last for at least 3 months or 90 days.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow-up,

There is no clear cut answer that here, for how long Zoloft withdrawal is going to last.

The drug itself will be out of your body in relatively short order, but making a full recovery back to normal body and brain functioning may take an extended period of time. As a general rule of thumb, I suggest that you might assume that the readjustment period will last at least 3 months or 90 days.

it depends on many factors like,

I) How much Zoloft (means dosage) were you taking? Most people take anywhere from 50 mg to 200 mg per day of this drug.If you were on a lower dose, it theoretically should be easier to come off of the drug than someone who was taking the maximum prescribed daily dose of 200 mg.

II) How long you taken this tablet Zoloft?

III) Individual physiology plays a role.For some people, the withdrawal process is pretty easy and simple and for some other people, the entire process can be a difficult one.

IV) As i said earlier,it depends on gradual withdrawal of that drug specially in case of SSRIs.

Regards,

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Brief Answer:
Yes,this kind of symptoms could arise within days to weeks.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow-up,

Discontinuation symptoms typically arise within days (3 to 5) to weeks (1 to 2) after stopping the medication, particularly if it was stopped abruptly.

If you had stopped 50 mg dosage and symptoms has arised in few weeks then it seems to be having discontinuation symptoms of that drug.It is very possiblity that this symptoms is because some other problem.

I have already discussed all the possibilities earlier.Either you can consult your treating doctor again for the treatment or you can wait for another couple of months to subside this discontinuation symptoms.

The earlier scenario is advisable in your case from my perspective although it can cost you a bit.

Wishing you a good health,

Regards,

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Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You are most welcome.

From our above discussion,you should consult your treating doctor in order to alleviate from the discontinuation symptoms.

If you still have any doubt,feel free to ask me.

Thanks and regards,

Dr.sandipkabra

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