Every year, about 7% of Americans have a major depressive episode, and many receive antidepressant prescriptions to address their symptoms. It can be challenging to decide which medication to use to treat your depression, as there are several options for treating the condition. Even selecting between well-known drugs like Prozac and Zoloft can be very difficult.
Zoloft and Prozac are widely used antidepressants for treating mental health problems such as depression and panic attacks. These two drugs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), which stop neurons from reabsorbing Serotonin and raise serotonin levels in the brain. As the amount of Serotonin in the brain increases, the symptoms of Anxiety and depression improve.
Although Prozac and Zoloft are pretty similar, they have some differences that can make one a better option than the other for each person. But which of them is more effective- Zoloft or Prozac? Let us know more about it.
Zoloft is a member of the drug group known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). It treats various mental health problems an individual suffers, such as depression and Anxiety disorders. Zoloft is a prescription medicine; you need a prescription to buy Zoloft.
Sertraline is the generic name of Zoloft. It is an SSRI, FDA-approved for treating OCD in children and adolescents ages 6 to 12, individuals over 18, and adults with depression. Both the brand-name and generic versions are available with a prescription. It was approved in 1991 and has been used widely for managing mental health problems.
As discussed earlier, Zoloft is an SSRI (Antidepressant) that works in treating mental health problems. It is primarily prescribed for the medication of major depressive disorder. It also treats panic disorder, social Anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Zoloft can also be used as a combination therapy. It also acts as a medication for premenstrual dysphoric disorder in women.
Other Off label uses of Zoloft includes binge-eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and generalized Anxiety disorder (GAD).
Sertraline is the active ingredient present in Zoloft. It works as a treatment for depression by increasing the level of certain natural substances in the brain called Serotonin. They accomplish this by preventing the recycling of released Serotonin back into the nerve terminals.
Serotonin, often known as "5HT," is a neurotransmitter that occurs naturally and plays a significant role in the parts of the brain that regulate mood and thought. Serotonin helps the brain to maintain a proper balance of mental health. It helps in reducing overthinking and the urge to do repetitive tasks.
Prozac is also a member of the drug class Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and is used to treat mental health issues. It is generically known as Fluoxetine. Prozac was approved in the year 1987. It is used as an effective medicine for the treatment of depression and other mental problems.
Prozac is an antidepressant drug. It helps treat major depression, panic disorder, and social Anxiety problems. Prozac is significantly used to treat Bulimia Nervosa.
It is an eating disorder in which a person follows binge eating patterns and consumes food in large quantities. Prozac can also be used along with Zyprexa during the treatment of Bipolar Disorder to reduce manic depression.
Prozac has Fluoxetine as its active ingredient present. It acts against depression and mental health issues by affecting the chemical messengers called neurotransmitters which send signals to brain cells. It helps to improve mood and increases appetite, energy level, and sleep, distracting people from mental problems. It provides rest to the brain by discontinuing the signals sent to it.
Fluoxetine is a phenylpropanolamine that blocks serotonin reuptake in neurons, probably directly affecting its antidepressant effects. It has the power to improve mood and get rid of Anxiety and stress. It has no sedative properties. It is preferable to use Fluoxetine when the side effects of other antidepressants, such as sedation, hypotension, and anticholinergic effects, are detrimental to the patient's health.
Medication is only effective when it reaches its site of action. There are some cases where only a particular route of administration is possible. Hence pharmaceutical dosage forms are crucial in treating various ailments. Therefore, different drug administration and dosage forms are used according to the treatment.
Zoloft is an oral medication and is available in the form of tablets and liquids. It can be taken with or without food once in the morning or the evening.
The starting dose of Zoloft for adults should be 50 mg for MDD, OCD, and PMDD in women, while 25 mg is the ideal starting dose for PTSD and SAD.
Depending upon the response and tolerability, it can range from 50 to 200 mg as the treatment proceeds. For children below 12, the dosage amount is 25 mg, while for the age group 13-17, it can be 50 mg.
A proper dose-measuring device should be used for Zoloft liquid and diluted first with any fluid, such as water, ginger ale, and orange juice, before use.
Prozac is also an oral medication for consumption as tablets, capsules, and liquids. The initial dosage of Prozac for adults should be 20 mg per day. Depending on the improvement and response, it can be changed to a 20 mg dose once or twice daily.
The maximum daily consumption of Prozac should not be greater than 80 mg. The initial dosage for children can be 10 mg per day, increasing to 20 mg daily after several weeks. For treating Bulimia, 60 mg per day is the ideal dosage.
Zoloft and Prozac are both antidepressants and work for the exact cause. It can take a few weeks for both Prozac and Zoloft to make a difference in your depression symptoms. They help individuals deal with mental health problems and maintain an optimal mental balance.
Prozac and Zoloft are equally effective at treating the signs and symptoms of depression. Compared to a placebo, both Zoloft and Prozac relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
A study by E.Aguglia Et al. evaluated the efficacy of Zoloft and Prozac in treating major depression in 88 patients. Forty-eight people received a 72 mg dosage of Zoloft, while the remaining 40 received a 28 mg dosage of Prozac.
Significant improvement was seen in both drug groups, and there was no significant difference. Adverse events were about 40.4% in the Zoloft group and 39.3% in the Prozac group. Prozac group participants faced adverse effects at a higher intensity than the Zoloft group. But both the medicine groups were equally effective and showed similar results.
Most of the side effects and drug interactions associated with both these drugs are common. According to a study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine 2016, long-term use of Zoloft can result in a substantial increase in weight than that of Prozac. The study found that patients using Prozac for two years gained an average of 4.6 pounds. However, over the same two-year period, persons taking Zoloft put on an average of 10.5 pounds.
Prozac has an advantage over Zoloft as it can also be used as a medication for Bulimia. Still, on the other side, Zoloft can be used as a combination therapy, unlike Prozac.
Prescription of Zoloft and Prozac depends upon the doctor and how your body will react to them. But both Zoloft and Prozac are equally effective antidepressants. One should consult the doctor and convey the medical history to the proper selection of medicine between Zoloft and Prozac.
These are undesired side effects that may be associated with a drug. The severity of side effects might range from mild discomforts like a runny nose to potentially fatal situations like a heart attack or liver damage.
Age, additional medications, vitamins, dietary supplements, and other underlying diseases or disorders can all affect whether a patient experiences side effects when taking a drug.
Following are the common and severe side effects observed after the medication of Zoloft:
|
Common |
Serious |
|
Nausea |
Seizures |
|
Indigestion |
Allergic reactions like itching, rash |
|
Sweating |
Difficulty in breathing |
|
Loss of interest in sex |
Changes in vision |
|
Tremors |
Problems in memory |
|
Tiredness |
Increased energy |
|
Headache |
Hallucination |
Following are some of the joint and severe side effects of taking Prozac:
|
Common |
Serious |
|---|---|
|
Headaches |
Suicidal thoughts |
|
Sleep problems |
Allergic skin reactions |
|
Pain and weakness |
Constant mood changes |
|
Loss of appetite |
Hyperactivity |
|
Decreased sex interest |
Trouble breathing |
|
Dry mouth |
Shivering |
|
Diarrhea |
Loss of coordination |
|
Restlessness |
Irregular heart rate |
These are preventive steps for medications to avoid undesired events. Precautions are necessary for the safe use of drugs. When using prescription medicine, it is essential to take the advised Safety precautions to prevent Abuse.
Drug interactions could alter how your medications work or raise the possibility of side effects. Keep a list of all drugs you use, including herbal products, prescription, and over-the-counter medicines, and provide it to your doctor and pharmacist.
Zoloft (sertraline) and Prozac (Fluoxetine) are SSRIs authorized to treat major depressive disorder. They are commonly used to treat generalized Anxiety disorder off-label as well.
There are a few significant distinctions between Prozac and Zoloft, including the illnesses they treat, the age restrictions, the adverse effects, and whether they are brand-name or generic drugs.
Both Prozac and Zoloft appear to be equally helpful in treating a variety of mental health issues, and they have comparable side effects. Although Prozac and Zoloft are safe and effective, patients should check in with their doctor periodically to discuss their symptoms and side effects.
