Zoloft and Alcohol. Can you combine?

Autor admin | 16.01.2008 | Category Uncategorized, zoloft alcohol

Can I Drink Alcohol on Zoloft?

According to the Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) prescribing information, drinking alcohol while taking Zoloft is not recommended. Zoloft and alcohol act upon similar chemicals in the brain. So the concern is that Zoloft will increase the effects of alcohol — whether this is increasing depression symptoms or affecting motor skills.

Practically, when many healthcare providers are asked whether or not it is okay to drink alcohol on Zoloft, they make the following recommendation: If a person chooses to drink alcohol while taking Zoloft, he or she should only drink light to moderate amounts — and only after he or she understands the effects that Zoloft (and other medicines he or she may be taking) can have on the body.

Alcohol and Zoloft: What Is Moderate Drinking?

When healthcare providers recommend moderate alcohol drinking, they mean one drink a day for women; two drinks a day for men. Because the alcohol content in drinks varies, what counts as one drink also varies. When healthcare providers talk about one alcoholic drink, they are referring to one of the following examples:

• 12 ounces of beer
• 5 ounces of wine .
• This doesn’t sounds good but its the true.:))

Both alcohol and
Zoloft are metabolized in the liver, and taking both can stress the
liver. The manufacturer of Zoloft, Pfizer, states that one should not
drink alcohol while using Zoloft. Alcohol alone can induce depression,
and alcohol consumed  with Zoloft can render Zoloft useless. Taking
Zoloft with alcohol can even make some people crave more alcohol!

Consumption of alcohol can also interact with the Zoloft you are
taking, affecting its metabolism, as well as affecting its ability to
control the depression, or other condition, for which it was
prescribed.

Zoloft and Pregnancy

Autor admin | 16.01.2008 | Category zoloft pregnancy

Zoloft and Pregnancy: An Overview

Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) is a pregnancy Category C medicine, meaning that Zoloft could potentially cause harm to your unborn child. This is especially true during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Zoloft and Pregnancy Category C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses a pregnancy category system to classify the possible risks to a fetus when a specific medicine is taken during pregnancy. Pregnancy Category C refers to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans but do appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Also, medicines that have not been studied in any pregnant women or animals automatically are given a pregnancy Category C rating.

Zoloft and Pregnancy: Final Thoughts

If you are pregnant (or are thinking of becoming pregnant) while taking Zoloft, let your healthcare provider know. Your healthcare provider will consider both the benefits and risks of taking Zoloft during pregnancy before making a recommendation. It is possible he or she may recommend reducing your Zoloft dosage, or weaning you off Zoloft during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Medical experts say its important to recognize that Pfizer promotes Zoloft for many disorders besides depression, meaning women may be taking the drug even though they have never been diagnosed with depression. According to the FDA, in addition to depression, Zoloft is approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Is Zoloft safe during pregnancy?

There has been some recent acceptance of allowing mothers to stay on prozac and zoloft during pregnancy to reduce the risk of postpartum depression in susceptible women. I think your plan of decreasing your dosage sounds reasonable.

I would ask your obstetrician to consult a mental health expert and see if they can come to a mutual decision about your plan of care.

I wish you well and hope all goes well with your pregnancy and birth.

Alprazolam overnight

Autor admin | 10.01.2008 | Category Cheap Xanax Alprazolam

Alprazolam overnight

What is an anxiety disorder?

An anxiety disorder is an excessive or inappropriate stress response that leaves you with feelings of apprehension, uncertainty and fear, and can inappropriately paralyze you into inaction or withdrawal. While an anxiety disorder may provoke feelings similar to a case of “nerves,” it is the severity and duration of symptoms that distinguish the two. Without treatment, an anxiety disorder can significantly disrupt your life as you become tormented by panic attacks, irrational thoughts and fears, compulsive behaviors or rituals, flashbacks, nightmares or countless frightening physical symptoms.

Anxiety disorders strike men and women of all races, ages and social status, but (except for OCD) they are twice as common in women and they tend to strike more often in young adulthood. Anxiety disorders can be caused by biological, chemical or genetic factors; can be brought about by family background; or can be attributed to certain medical conditions or medications.Are there different types of anxiety disorders?

Yes, there are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by at least six months of a more-or-less constant state of tension and worry not related to any event.

Panic disorder is characterized by repeated, unprovoked attacks of anxiety or terror generally lasting about 10 minutes.

Phobias are irrational, involuntary and overwhelming fears that lead a person to avoid, or endure with great anxiety, common objects, events or situations, including social situations and being out in public.Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent, persistent and intrusive thoughts or impulses that the person feels can be controlled by performing repetitive behaviors.Alprazolam overnight

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.

How can I tell if I have an anxiety disorder?

If you feel “on edge” most of the time; if you experience panicky feelings, sweating, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing around specific objects or situations; if you feel compulsions to perform specific and time-consuming rituals; if you have recurrent disturbing thoughts; if you regularly experience distressing sleeplessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating; and if these feelings persist or impair normal functioning, you should discuss them with your health care professional.

How are anxiety disorders treated?

Most anxiety disorders respond well to treatment, usually medication and/or cognitive-behavior therapy. Specific medications have been developed to combat anxiety, with antidepressant medications such as SSRIs particularly useful. Behavioral therapies help patients regain control of their reactions to stress and feared objects or situations.Alprazolam overnight

Do anti-anxiety medications have side effects? How long will I have to take this medication?

The newer antidepressants, including serotonin reuptake inhibitors, cause fewer side effects than the older types of drugs used to treat anxiety. Both types of medication can cause side effects such as nausea, drowsiness, gastrointestinal upset, anxiety and insomnia, which may subside after about a month. Most people make the mistake of stopping the medication when they first start to experience side effects or without speaking to their health care professional about the side effects. Sexual dysfunction (impotence, loss of desire, inability to reach orgasm) is a common side effect of some medications. Because many types of anti-anxiety medications are available, it is likely that one can be identified that produces the fewest side effects with best results. Most people don’t have to take anti-anxiety medications forever. Once your anxiety subsides, you can determine with your health care team what the best course is for you. Short-term treatment, from six months to one year, is common. But longer treatment may be necessary to prevent a recurrence. People who have recurrent anxiety disorder may need to take medication for the rest of their lives.

Can anti-anxiety medications be taken during pregnancy or breast feeding?

If you are nursing, pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or could possibly become pregnant, you should discuss with your health care professional the possible effects of any medications. If the mental health of an expectant mother depends on taking antidepressants during pregnancy, many health care professionals recommend that she continue taking the drugs, so she can care for herself and her family. Research is unclear about how antidepressants may affect a nursing baby though it is known that these drugs pass through to breast milk. Most health care professionals suggest that a woman who is taking anti-anxiety medication and is concerned about breast-feeding options consider the risks of taking medication along with the potential benefits that nursing could provide.Alprazolam overnight

What’s the first step in getting treatment?If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, talk to a primary care physician about your symptoms and ask for a referral to a medical professional who can diagnose and treat anxiety. There are many good sources of information about anxiety and other types of mental illness on the Web, through libraries and from mental health organizations. Many organizations have hotlines to help get you started talking about symptoms. If you feel suicidal, seek help immediately.

Alprazolam overnight Xanax Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to alprazolam, other benzodiazepines or to any of the excipients.
Sleep apnoea.
Myasthenia gravis.
Severe respiratory impairment.
Severe liver impairment.
Acute intoxication brought about by alcohol or other CNS active agents.
4.4 Special warnings and special precautions for use
Tolerance
The hypnotic effect can diminish following repeated use over a period of several weeks.
Dependence
Chronic use of benzodiazepines can lead to the development of physical and mental
dependence. The risk of dependence is greater as the dose and length of treatment increase.
There is also an increased risk in patients with a history of alcohol and drug abuse. If there is
physical dependence, the suspension of treatment is accompanied by withdrawal symptoms.
These may consist of headache and muscle pain, severe anxiety and tension, sleep disorders
restlessness, confusion and irritability. In severe cases the following symptoms occur:
depersonalisation, derealisation, loss of sensation and tingling sensations in the limbs,
hypersensitivity to light, sound and touch, hallucinations and epileptic seizures. Withdrawal
symptoms can appear several days after the end of treatment.
Rebound anxiety and tension
When treatment with alprazolam is suspended, a transient syndrome can occur in which the
symptoms that prompted treatment with a Benzodiazepine in the first place reoccur with
greater intensity than before. The syndrome can be accompanied by mood swings, insomnia
and restlessness. Since the risk of withdrawal/rebound symptoms is greater following rapid
dose reduction or the abrupt suspension of treatment, it is recommended that the dose be
reduced gradually (tapering off).
Duration of treatment
The duration of treatment should be as short as possible (see section 4.2) and should not
exceed 8-12 weeks, including the so-called tapering off period of gradual dosage reduction.
Prolongation of the duration of treatment is only possible after re-evaluation of the condition
of the patient.
It may be important to inform the patient at the start of treatment that the course of treatment
will be limited and to explain clearly how dosages will be gradually reduced.
It is important to prepare patients for occurrence of rebound symptoms in order to avoid as
much as possible unease about the occurrence of such symptoms during the cessation of
therapy.
Abrupt cessation of benzodiazepines can lead to paraesthesia, perception changes and
depersonalisation during one or several weeks. In some cases convulsions have been reported.
Amnesia
As with other benzodiazepines alprazolam can cause anterograde amnesia. This usually
occurs several hours after the product has been taken
Psychiatric and “paradoxical reactions”
During treatment with benzodiazepines psychiatric and “paradoxical” reactions can occur,
especially in elderly patients. If restlessness, agitation, irritability, fits of rage, nightmares,
aggravated insomnia, hallucinations, psychoses, inappropriate behaviour, delirium and other
behavioural disorders appear, the use of the medication should be terminated. Extreme
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caution should be used in prescribing benzodiazepines in patients with borderline or antisocial
personality disorders.
Specific patient groups
Safety and efficacy has not been established in patients less than 18 years of age.
The elderly should be treated preferably with a lower than usual dose (see section 4.2).
In patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency a lower dose should be used, given the
possibility of respiratory depression.
Benzodiazepines are not indicated for the treatment of patients with severe liver disorders,
since benzodiazepines can promote the development of encephalopathy.
Benzodiazepines should not be used for the primary treatment of psychoses.
Benzodiazepines are not suitable for the primary treatment of severe depression and should
not be used alone for the treatment of anxiety associated with severe depression, since suicide
could occur in such patients. When administering to severely depressed and suicidal patients
it is necessary to take suitable precautions.
Benzodiazepines should also be used with greatest of caution in patients with a history of
alcohol or medicinal product abuse.
Alprazolam Stada contains lactose monohydrate. Patients with rare hereditary problems of
galactose intolerance, the lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should
not take this medicine. Alprazolam overnight