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Mental Health  (Expert Forum)
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Does Zoloft just stop working after a while?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.

Does Zoloft just stop working after a while?

by CeeJay34, Sep 24, 2002 12:00AM
I've been on Zoloft for 6-7 years and have felt in the last few months that it isn't working anymore, i.e. been depressed, joyless, hopeless, sad, etc. Told my doctor and he mentioned "Prozac poop-out" phenomenon. Wondering if Zoloft has the same thing... instances of wearing out over time? Anyone else experienced this?

Is it time to try a newer and/or different drug? I dread getting off Zoloft after so long but I have to feel better. Doc has already upped my dosage several times, so that's not the problem (I'm at 250mg/daily and don't want to go higher). Also tried Wellbutrin and Buspar in conjunction with Z but no help there.

thanks

by Roger Gould, M.D., Sep 25, 2002 12:00AM
It quite frequently happens that the medication works less well over time. One good reason is that the medication is not the total answer to depression. It helps, but you must work out the underlying problems in living that are bringing you down.  They are there..they have to be accepted and resolved. You can work with a therapist or do some work online at www.masteringstress.com.

You can also try switching to Celexa, or Effexor or Paxil.
Member Comments (1)

by joestuf2, Nov 13, 2002 12:00AM
Hi!  I had to comment.  I was taking Zoloft successfully for several years and during one doctor visit (annual review thing) I mentioned that I seemed to be 'going backward', that I seemed to stress and feel 'down' more often and he stated that it is possible to grow 'tolerant' of the Zoloft.  He switched me over to Effexor XR (150mg). That has been 4 years and it is still working effectively.

So, I say, talk to your doctor!  Good luck!

Joey
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