arrhythmia and zoloft

    
      Re: Re: arrhythmia and zoloft
    


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Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on June 12, 1998 at 17:14:58:

In Reply to: Re: arrhythmia and zoloft posted by lorraine swartz on June 11, 1998 at 11:12:53:

: in reply to to arrhythmia and zoloft,  i got heart arrhythmia with paxil, and other antidepressants, and st. john's wort.  i do not take any antidepressants anymore.  i only take tranxene when i get panic attacks.  i would not recommend taking anitdepressnts if you are getting heart arrhythmias.  if you take a good vitamin, like vicon-forte by glaxo, and eat properly, it will help considerably with depression
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Dear Lorraine:
Different measures work for different people as far as depression is concerned.  Some people can have their depression treated successfully with non-pharmaceutical approaches such as counseling or group therapy.  Other people need medicines to break the cycle of depression.  Some antidepressants have a high likelihood of producing cardiac side effects.  Drugs like Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac are among the safest antidepressants, from a cardiac perspective.  They can occasionally cause palpitations (extra heart beats).  However, I would urge any patient reading this not to stop any antidepressant medication without consulting your doctor.  Depression is a serious disease, just as palpitations sometimes can be.
Information provided here is of a general nature.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.