Sertraline or Zoloft belongs to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These are used to treat clinical depression.
Though it usually works well with regular usage, many people usually wonder, “Can you overdose on sertraline?” Yes, you definitely can.
Taking excessive quantities of sertraline may be fatal to a person, although some may experience life-threatening and serious problems among other issues.
This blog intends to offer the readers information about the symptoms, risks, and the proper first aid protocol, which can be used in case of a drug overdose.
These are presented alongside the methods for preventing such incidents from occurring.
What Is Sertraline?
Zoloft is a type of SSRI which is also used for curing the following mental problems:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- OCD
- PTSD
Sertraline is a drug that increases serotonin levels in the brain and makes it possible to regulate emotions.
It acts this way to control mood and emotions and eases the stress that has built up.
Medicines are usually addictive and have side effects when taken differently than prescribed.
One may not find any visible signs of abuse of prescription drugs; however, misuse and – or overdose cause problems.
Can You Overdose on Sertraline?
Yes, you can. This can merely be a result of the medicine being taken with alcohol or any other sedative.
Even when antidepressants such as sertraline are generally very safe and are widely well tolerated by people, elevated usage of them might trigger abruptions in reactions, or even some people may experience serious health issues in very rare cases.
What Happens If You Take Too Much Sertraline?
An overdose happens when you take a higher dosage than needed. Early identification of Zoloft overdose can make a big difference.
Understanding the symptoms of overodsing on zoloft can save lives.
The severity of the sertraline overdose may lead to only mild or even severe medical complications such as:
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Dizziness and confusion.
- Seizures.
- Hallucinations.
- Loss of consciousness.
Sertraline overdose can occasionally cause the condition of serotonin syndrome which develops as a result of a very high concentration of serotonin in the brain.
A person with serotonin syndrome must get to the emergency room at once.
Can You Die From Zoloft Overdose?
While fatalities from a Zoloft overdose amount are rare, there might be a combination of the mentioned drugs with alcohol leading to death.
The fatal cases, for the most part stem from delayed medical attention or are intentional overdoses.
If there is such suspicion, the emergency services should be called to the spot immediately.
What Is the Zoloft Overdose Amount?
The person’s age, weight, and general condition determine the exact Zoloft overdose amount thus it varies from individual to individual.
In general, the usual daily dose is 200 mg for most adults.
Taking more than the recommended dose is considered to be affecting the brevity of the treatment or may prompt side effects.
In children, even lower doses can be dangerous.
Zoloft Overdose Treatment
If a sertraline overdose is suspected then get help as quickly as possible. Medical procedures that would help the patient may consist of the following:
- Activated charcoal: Administered to limit the absorption of the drug in the stomach.
- IV fluids: Fluid management will be easier, and the electrolyte balance will be easier to restore.
- Medications: The most important drugs used to treat a patient would be the ones for seizures, malignant arrhythmias, or serotonin syndrome.
- Monitoring: Doctors may closely observe their patients in the hospital to avoid any complications that might arise while addressing the symptoms.
Receiving quick medical assistance will bring good results in recovery.
Preventing a Sertraline Overdose
To minimize the likelihood of a sertraline overdose:
- The prescription doses should be followed by the patient only and not any other ones.
- Don’t drink alcohol or use other drugs with Zoloft without your doctor’s approval.
- Put it where children won’t be able to reach it in your home.
When to Get Help
In the event you or someone else has presented these overdose on sertraline symptoms, you should urgently call emergency services and receive proper medical help.
Immediate and effective therapy will prevent serious complications from occurring.
JCV Behavioral Health Can Help
If used correctly, medications for mental problems, just like sertraline, can help you recover your everyday life.
On the other hand, a sertraline overdose is a dangerous thing. JCV Behavioral Health is here, with empathy and expertise.
Should you need help with medication adjustment or aid in mental health difficulties, we are here to support you.
JCV Behavioral Health is the place where you’ll experience the best quality of professional care.
Reach out to us for a consultation and get a detailed overview of what we offer.
FAQs
What could be the cause of you taking an excess of sertraline?
Taking more than the recommended sertraline quantity may lead to signs of falling ill, swift heartbeat, confusion, and serotonin syndrome.
Consult professional medical help immediately, too.
What is the maximum amount of sertraline you can take?
You are to see a healthcare provider only for the most accurate amount of the drug. Higher doses can be behind the occurrence of side effects.
Is sertraline a strong antidepressant?
Sertraline is a powerful SSRI. It’s used for the treatment of major depression and anxiety among other psychiatric conditions.
It, however, is the most potent medication but, unfortunately, typically has the most side effects.
Why should you not take sertraline at night?
For one reason, some people with this medicine might develop insomnia and restlessness.
In such cases, it is appropriate to talk to the prescriber about whether changing the timing of the medication could solve the problem.
