Antidepressants are one of the most commonly used drugs in the United States.
They can be used to treat other conditions aside from mental illnesses, making them more accessible to individuals who may only suffer from physical ailments. According to the 2015 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 13.2% percent of people in the U.S. who were 18 and over reported having used antidepressant medication in the past month.1 Although Zoloft has become more common as it’s used to treat a wider variety of conditions, the dangers are still very real. Zoloft overdose is especially dangerous and can produce severe side effects -- sometimes even death. Individuals who are addicted to this drug are at higher risk of suffering an overdose.
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What Is Zoloft?
Zoloft, or sertraline, is an antidepressant used to treat conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorders, anxiety disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Zoloft helps rebalance chemicals in the brain by preventing the nerves from absorbing serotonin, which causes serotonin to build up in the space between two nerves (nerve synapse).
Many people wonder, “Can you overdose on Zoloft?” because it’s monitored by a doctor. However, many individuals who take Zoloft, or other prescription medications, may misuse it and become addicted. Prescription medications are often refillable, which allows the person to receive their medication each month without the need for a doctor’s visit. This lack of monitoring gives the user ample opportunity to misuse it without anyone realizing it.
At Banyan Treatment Centers Philadelphia, we advise individuals who have become dependent on drugs or alcohol to seek treatment in our partial hospitalization program. In this program, patients will receive round-the-clock care and service from our trained staff of experts. Each patient will have the opportunity to recover from addiction with our safe and effective treatment.
How Much Zoloft Can You Take Before Overdosing?
It is difficult to pinpoint the precise dosage of Zoloft that can cause an overdose because it varies based on a number of variables. These variables include a person's weight, general health, medication tolerance, and any underlying medical issues. Adults using Zoloft should not take more than 200 milligrams (mg) each day. It is crucial to keep in mind, though, that going over this dosage dramatically raises your risk of having side effects, including overdose symptoms.
In addition to the previously discussed factors, it is vital to highlight that mixing Zoloft with certain substances or prescriptions may raise the risk of overdose. For instance, Zoloft and alcohol should not be mixed since the two substances are capable of enhancing each other's effects. It is essential to adhere to your doctor's directions and steer clear of anything that could reduce the medication's effectiveness or present additional hazards.
What Are the Symptoms of Zoloft Overdose?
As with any drug, prescription or not, there is always an underlying risk of overdose. Overdosing on Zoloft is extremely dangerous and can cause horrible side effects. The intensity of overdose symptoms depends on factors like the person’s age, current health condition, other medications, height, and body weight. Overdoses are dangerous but not always fatal. Fortunately, there are signs of Zoloft overdose that can serve as warnings to the user or those around them and allow them to get help fast.
Symptoms of Zoloft overdose include:
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Delirium
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Heart problems
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Seizures
- Changes in blood pressure
- Serotonin syndrome
- Fainting
- Hallucinations
- Inflamed pancreas
- Mania
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At our rehab in Philadelphia, we know prescription medications like Zoloft pose their own dangers, regardless of the prescription. Many individuals begin to misuse these medications and develop an addiction to them. They increase their chances of experiencing a possibly fatal overdose or other health conditions. We provide addiction treatments to help people heal from their addiction and decrease their chances of suffering from a Zoloft overdose.
Zoloft abuse could easily result in addiction or other health problems. With treatments like our intensive outpatient program (IOP), people addicted to Zoloft or any other substance can recover and learn how to maintain their sobriety after treatment. Our dedicated staff at Banyan strives to meet the needs of each patient and make their journey to sobriety possible. We also offer various Philadelphia substance abuse programs for different forms of addiction.
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, get help now. Call our drug rehab in Langhorne, PA, at 888-280-4763 today to learn more information.
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