Zoloft is a type of antidepressant that can be used to treat some forms of anxiety. It’s the branded form of the drug sertraline. It may help reduce your symptoms.
If you have anxiety, your healthcare professional may prescribe medications to treat it. Zoloft is one of these medications that can have beneficial effects on your mood, reducing anxiety symptoms.
For anxiety, Zoloft is generally prescribed to treat social anxiety disorder (SAD) and panic disorder, but doctors might prescribe it to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It’s also approved to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
It can provide many benefits in treating anxiety, but there are also some side effects to consider. Knowing more about Zoloft for anxiety can help you make an informed decision in your own treatment.
What is Zoloft?
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Zoloft is the branded form of the drug sertraline. It’s a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that increases the levels of the hormone serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is mostly known for regulating mood and behavior.
Anxiety is generally characterized by the following psychological and physical symptoms:
feelings of worry or fear that are difficult to manage
racing heart
sleep disturbances
sweating
irritability
restlessness
If you experience anxiety, Zoloft is FDA approved for the treatment of SAD and panic disorder (among other conditions), but doctors sometimes also prescribe it to treat GAD as well.
In fact, research published in 2008, 2010, and 2015 found that sertraline can be effective at reducing symptoms and improving quality of life in people diagnosed with GAD.
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According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), you might see improvements in symptoms like energy levels within 1–2 weeks. Other symptoms, like the effects on your mood, can take up to 2 months to improve. Some research finds that the benefits of SSRIs begin 4 weeks after starting treatment.
If you do not see any improvements within the first few weeks, it’s important that you speak with a doctor. They might decide to increase your dosage. For anxiety, the starting dose of Zoloft is 25 milligrams (mg) once per day, but this can be increased in 50 mg intervals up to 200 mg per day.
A 2018 research review found that SSRIs like sertraline increase in effectiveness as you raise the dose, but this also increases the likelihood of negative side effects that may lead to your doctor removing it from your treatment plan.
Potential side effects
There are several common side effects of Zoloft that can vary in severity. These include:
According to NAMI, Zoloft might cause more serious side effects, although these are more rare. They can include:
increased risk of bleeding, especially if combined with medications that thin your blood like ibuprofen (Advil)
increased risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if combined with other medications that increase serotonin levels, such as triptans for migraine
increased risk of suicidal behaviors, particularly in younger people with depression
If you experience any of these more serious side effects, get medical attention immediately.
What’s more, if you stop taking sertraline suddenly, there is a risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms like nausea and a return of your symptoms. Because of this, it’s recommended that you work with a healthcare professional. They will supervise the gradual process to safely reduce your dosage over time.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
If you find that Zoloft is not working for you, either because the side effects are too severe or because you do not notice improvements in your symptoms, there are other medications available. These include:
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): These are another type of antidepressant that can be effective against anxiety. Examples include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).
Benzodiazepines: These are usually used for short-term symptom relief, and they can help calm anxiety. Examples include alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and diazepam (Valium).
In addition to (or sometimes instead of) medications, healthcare professionals often treat anxiety with psychotherapy approaches, most commonly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Some 2019 research found that young people receiving a combination of sertraline (Zoloft) and CBT to treat anxiety saw greater improvements than those receiving either sertraline or CBT alone to treat the mental health condition. People receiving the combination treatment for anxiety saw lower impairments in their schooling.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
Summary
Zoloft, the branded form of the drug sertraline, is an antidepressant medication that can be used to treat anxiety symptoms. It’s most commonly used for social anxiety and panic disorders, but it may be beneficial for treating GAD too.
Like any medication, Zoloft can lead to a host of side effects, including nausea, headache, and dizziness. It can also cause more serious side effects like serotonin syndrome.
Your healthcare team may find it beneficial to prescribe a combination treatment plan that includes both medication and therapy like CBT. This can be very beneficial in improving your symptoms.
If Zoloft does not ease your symptoms, you can work with a healthcare professional to find a treatment that works best for you.
Mokhber N, et al. (2010). Randomized, single-blind, trial of sertraline and buspirone for treatment of elderly patients with generalized anxiety disorder. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20132529/
