How to stop using Zoloft

[gina3]

How can I safely go off Zoloft? I know there will be side effects but I am very concerned about my mental state during the transition. I have been on 100 mg for 13 years.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Ten years is a long time, and during that period of time you have probably continued to develop your mind, and the circumstance of your life have changed, and quite possibly you no longer need any medication for depression..  If that is your assessment, then in agreement with your doctor, you should wean yourself from Zoloft over a four week period, the last two weeks using the lowest possible dose every second day, and then every third day before you stop.

[Paxiled]

First, I'm not the doctor.  I would recommend at least a six week taper, under the monitoring of your psychiatrist, and make sure he or she understands withdrawal before doing this.  If you don't like the answers, get a different one -- most are in denial about this.  If at any time you feel the withdrawal is more than you can handle, go back on the medication at the lowest dose you were on at which you felt fine and taper more slowly.  A good book on this is The AntiDepressant Solution by Joseph Glanville.  And remember, you could just as easily have no difficulty at all, so don't expect problems, just be aware they can exist.