Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking zoloft as follows:
- Zoloft intake carries the risk of lowering the blood pressure. Hypotension, secondary to zoloft intake, can lead to episodes of confusion and dizziness. Avoid sudden changes in position, until you are used to the side-effects of zoloft intake. Sudden change of positions can make the confusion and dizzy episodes even worse and precipitate accidents and falls. Report any episodes of increased dizziness, syncope, and loss of consciousness while taking zoloft. Discuss with your physician regarding all your medications and their risk of aggravating hypotension caused by zoloft.
- Zoloft carries the risk of causing and/or aggravating cardiac arrhythmias. Zoloft can also interact with many antibacterial and antifungal antibiotics, antidepressants, and antipsychotic medications, resulting in development or aggravation of underlying cardiac arrhythmias, leading to debility and sudden cardiac death. Avoid taking zoloft along with medications belonging to the above-mentioned groups, to prevent any dangerous arrhythmias from developing. Discuss with your physician regarding your history of cardiac arrhythmias, if any, if you are newly started on zoloft. If you are newly diagnosed with any cardiac arrhythmias discuss with your physician regarding your safety with continuing on zoloft, if you have been using the medication for long.
- Zoloft can induce some dizziness and make one drowsy. Starting the medication at a low dose, watching for the response, and gradually changing the dose, to help optimum control of your symptoms, can contribute to controlling/reducing the risk for drowsiness and dizziness due to the medication. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by zoloft intake. Also, avoid taking zoloft together with any other medications you may have on your list that also carry potential to cause dizziness, as both the medications could complement each other on causing dizziness, posing a severe threat. Observing a 1 – 2 hour interval between taking such medications can help prevent episodes of dizziness and risk.
