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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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On Zoloft For Anxiety, Have Insomnia And Was Given Imovane. It Made More Anxious And Was Given Stilnox

i am on zoloft for eleventh day most of the demons have gone to the dr [as my psychiatrist asked me to get something to help me sleep] before she tackles the anxiety] gave me imovane to take last nigt as not sleeping very well and very anxious today so went back to the dr told him it didnt work so he gave me stilnox 10 mg anxiety is really bad today is that ok pauline
Tue, 3 Sep 2013
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
thank you for your query. Zoloft (Sertraline) is an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) regularly prescribed for treatment of depression and or anxiety. however, during initiation of treatment, it can paradoxically worsen anxiety, also cause some Gastro intestinal disturbance like dyspepsia, nausea etc. which passes away within one to two weeks on its own. Moreover, it takes around two to four weeks for the onset of action of Zoloft, as the actions are brought about by causing structural changes at a genetic and molecular level in the brain. Usually, most Psychiatrists prescribe a sedative hypnotic or anxiolytic (like Imovane-Zopiclone, Stilnoct-Zolpidem etc or a benzodiazepine like clonazepam) together with Zoloft in the initial phase during treatment to cover for these events.
If a patient with your complaints would have come to me, I would have reassured her that there is nothing to worry, and these effects will pass of in a week or too. Also, I would have prescribed her a benzodiapzepine anxiolytic/ sedative (like Clonazepam or Etizolam) instead of of Stilnoct(Zolpidem, a Z drug) for the time being for better anxiolysis.
hope i've been able to satisfy your query. please feel free to contact me for any further clarifications if needed. best of luck.
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Psychiatrist Dr. Sundar Gnanavel's  Response
Hello......
Thanks for your query. Zoloft is sertraline, an effective anxiolytic SSRI drug. However, during the initial period as an activating drug it can worsen anxiety symptoms. This might be the anxiety and insomnia you are complaining about. Hence, i would suggest that you wait for a period of atleast 3 weeks for your anxiety symptoms to subside. Till then stillnoct should temporarily alleviate your anxiety symptoms and insomnia. All the best.
Regards
Dr Sundar G
Psychiatrist
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Psychiatrist Dr. Payman Hajiazim's  Response
Hi there, thanks for asking. Sertraline can aggravate anxiety for the for the first one or two weeks. A medication from the class of benzodiazepine with medium half life could be the best to control the anxiety. You can ask about it from your doctor. Best
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On Zoloft For Anxiety, Have Insomnia And Was Given Imovane. It Made More Anxious And Was Given Stilnox

thank you for your query. Zoloft (Sertraline) is an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) regularly prescribed for treatment of depression and or anxiety. however, during initiation of treatment, it can paradoxically worsen anxiety, also cause some Gastro intestinal disturbance like dyspepsia, nausea etc. which passes away within one to two weeks on its own. Moreover, it takes around two to four weeks for the onset of action of Zoloft, as the actions are brought about by causing structural changes at a genetic and molecular level in the brain. Usually, most Psychiatrists prescribe a sedative hypnotic or anxiolytic (like Imovane-Zopiclone, Stilnoct-Zolpidem etc or a benzodiazepine like clonazepam) together with Zoloft in the initial phase during treatment to cover for these events. If a patient with your complaints would have come to me, I would have reassured her that there is nothing to worry, and these effects will pass of in a week or too. Also, I would have prescribed her a benzodiapzepine anxiolytic/ sedative (like Clonazepam or Etizolam) instead of of Stilnoct(Zolpidem, a Z drug) for the time being for better anxiolysis. hope i ve been able to satisfy your query. please feel free to contact me for any further clarifications if needed. best of luck.