Contrary to certain conservative beliefs, there are actual medical solutions for depression, anxiety, and similar psychological issues.
One major concern, though, is the side effects some of these medicines bring about.
And heartburn after taking Zoloft is a case in point, which has prompted many people to reconsider turning to antidepressants for support.
This article will dive further into heartburn and Zoloft, discussing how to treat heartburn from Zoloft and other antidepressants.
Keep scrolling!
Things To Know About Zoloft And Their Side Effects
Zoloft is a common antidepressant used to treat mental and psychological issues/disorders.
However, careless usage might lead to severe side effects such as heartburn, hallucination, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and more.
What Is It?
Zoloft, a popular antidepressant, is classified into a drug category named SSRI (Selectivity Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor).
As the name suggests, it helps balance your serotonin level in the nerves and brain. That’s why experts and psychologists turn to Zoloft for treatments of:
- Anxiety (particularly in teenagers)
- PMDD (premenstrual disorders)
- SAD (social anxiety disorder)
- Depression or depressive disorder
- OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder)
- FD (Functional disorders)
- PD (Panic Disorder)
- PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder)
- DD (Dysphoric disorder)
- GD (Gastrointestinal disorders)
- BD (Bipolar disorder)
Common Side Effects and Warnings
Never turn to Zoloft if you are currently treated with pimozide, methylene injection, or MAO inhibitors during the last two weeks. Some examples of MAO inhibitors include:
- Tranylcypromine
- Selegiline
- Rasagiline
- Phenelzine
- Linezolid
- Isocarboxazid
Some patients (especially younger ones) often let their minds wander to suicidal thoughts during the first time taking antidepressants.
Always monitor your mood changes and report alarming symptoms to the doctor if needed. Seek help instantly when some of these side effects haunt you:
- Sertraline and heartburn symptoms, especially for pregnant women.
- Shortness of breath
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Chest pains
- Nausea
- Loss of consciousness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
How To Take Zoloft
Regular Usage
Step 1. Check the Medication Guides and Patient Info Leaflet offered by the pharmacist before taking Zoloft refills. If certain aspects are confusing, you can always ask the doctor.
Step 2. Take the medicine by mouth – often once a day in the evening or morning.
Remember to swallow the entire capsules; never chew or crush them, or they will lose their intended effects. Again, ask for clarifications from your doctor if you are unsure.
Liquid Form
Its liquid or tablet form can be consumed without food (though the 100, 50, and 25 milligrams versions are easier to digest during a meal) and must be combined with other liquids before usage.
Step 1. Measure the necessary dose via a medicine dropper that comes with the package. Some people suggest using household spoons.
But it’s not a great idea in our opinion since the measurements are not always exactly accurate.
Step 2. Then mix it with orange juice, lemonade, lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, or pure water. The mixture might look cloudy, but rest assured, that’s normal and poses no harm!
Step 3. Once done, drink all that mixture immediately. Leaving it in refrigerators for hours is not recommended.
Treatments for Premenstrual Problems
In these cases, doctors often instruct you to take it every day (or two weeks right before your periods).
These dosages are often prescripted depending on how you respond to Zoloft and your current medical condition.
The best way to reduce side effects is to start at low doses and slowly increase the amount over time.
Step 1. Take this medicine regularly to receive the best benefits – preferably at the same hour every day.
Step 2. If you feel your health has improved, keep using this medicine; never stop mid-way unless your doctor has asked you to do so.
Some symptoms can worsen if you suddenly stop taking the prescription drugs, leading to sleep changes, tiredness, headache, mood swings, and even electric shock.
How to Treat Heartburn from Zoloft and Similar Antidepressants?
To shoo your functional heartburn symptoms away, remember to stay upright for at least half an hour after taking medicine.
Keeping healthy lifestyles and trying ginger teas after the meal are also strongly recommended.
If all else fails, you can turn to some heartburn medicine prescribed by your doctor. Under no circumstances should you stop taking Zoloft prescription antidepressant without medical instructions.
1. Do Not Stop Taking The Medication On Your Own
When heartburns occur, your first instant reaction might be to stop using the prescription medications entirely.
However, as we already discussed, that’s a grave mistake that only worsens symptoms in patients!
Hence, we strongly suggest you have a thorough discussion with your advisors/medical professionals.
They will check how your body reacts to the antidepressants and devise a proper solution to counterattack the dilemma.
Some people, meanwhile, do not put a stop to their drug-taking – but choose to reduce the amount of medicine taken instead.
That’s also far from a wise move. All in all, never act on your own accord without the doctor’s instruction and guidance.
2. Avoid Lying Down Immediately After Using Zoloft
One common cause behind side-effect heartburn is your tendency to rest right after drinking the medicine, which hampers how these capsules are digested and have immediate effects on the heart operation.
Experts recommend you sit upright for at least thirty minutes, fostering the medicine’s seamless travel from the throat to your internal organs.
If sitting still for that long seems exhausting for you, we suggest you walk around for a while or tend to other tasks during the wait.
Still, regardless of what you do, remember to always keep your pose straight and upward.
3. Drink Hot Ginger Teas
Who says heartburn cannot be treated with non-medical solutions? Ginger tea enthusiasts will tell you otherwise! Their anti-inflammatory properties have been reported to serve as a wonderful cure for heartburn, sore throat, and cough.
So far, no scientific studies have delved much into the evidence behind it or the reasons why, but no worries. Even if ginger teas cannot relieve your symptoms, they certainly will not make it worse!
So feel free to reward yourself with two or three cups anytime during the day. But when your heartburn often occurs at night, it might be better to drink it right after dinner.
4. Use Heartburn Medicines
Taking another medicine at the same time as Zoloft is not the best idea in the world.
Nevertheless, once most other suggestions fail you, turning to heartburn medications is a critical step to eliminating these severe side effects.
Lots of alternatives are available, but here are the most popular ones you can consider (ask your doctors’ opinions first, though!):
- Antacids (ex: Maalox and Mylanta) to counteract acid effects
- VH2 Blockers (such as Tagamet cimetidine, Pepcid AC famotidine, and Zantac ranitidine) to cut off acid production.
- Proton Inhibitors (such as Nexium esomeprazole and omeprazole) to stop all Zoloft acid reflux.
5. Change Your Lifestyle
Like ginger tea, your lifestyle improvements are a great non-medical solution that seems quite underappreciated. This list might give you some ideas on how to live healthier:
- Maintain your weight. Excessive pounds can put more pressure on the abdomen, which pushes your stomach and causes acid to flow back into the esophagus.
- Never wear tight-fitting clothes. Why? They might suffocate the lower part of your esophageal sphincter.
- Do not eat foods that trigger health issues (such as pizza, cheese, and fast food). Late meals or large meals are also a big No; it would be best to eat several small meals during the day than consume a huge quantity all at once.
- If these side effects often invade your sleep, try to elevate the bed’s head by inserting some wedges between the box spring and the mattress. Only using extra pillows is not effective enough.
- Stay far from alcohol and smoking. Both of them decrease the esophageal ability to operate and function as it should.
Conclusion
How to treat heartburn from Zoloft and other antidepressants? We have plunged deep into this matter, offering both medicine and non-medicine approaches to help you deal with such a dilemma.
And, of course, proper consultation with your healthcare provider is always a must!
Though we believe any lingering questions you have can easily be answered by the doctor, feel free to write to us if you wish to know our take on Zoloft and heartburn.
All of our readers are always welcome!
