Zoloft vs. Effexor

• Are Zoloft and Effexor the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Zoloft?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Effexor?
• What is Zoloft?
• What is Effexor?
• What Drugs Interact with Zoloft?
• What Drugs Interact with Effexor?
• How Should Zoloft Be Taken?
• How Should Effexor Be Taken?

Zoloft (sertraline) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are antidepressants used to treat depression.

A difference between the two drugs is that Zoloft is also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

The drugs are different types of antidepressants. Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and Effexor is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Common side effects of Zoloft include:

• sleepiness
• drowsiness
• tired feeling
• nervousness
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• dizziness
• nausea
• skin rash
• headache
• diarrhea
• constipation
• upset stomach
• stomach pain
• dry mouth
• changes in appetite
• abnormal ejaculation
• impotence
• decreased sex drive
• difficulty having an orgasm
• dry mouth, and
• weight loss.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Zoloft including:

• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out;
• agitation, hallucinations, fever, overactive reflexes, tremors;
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination;
• trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.

Common side effects of Effexor include:

• dizziness,
• nervousness,
• nausea,
• constipation,
• headaches,
• anxiety,
• insomnia,
• strange dreams,
• drowsiness,
• increased sweating,
• blurred vision,
• dry mouth,
• changes in appetite or weight,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm,
• increased blood pressure, and
• seizures.

Zoloft is a prescription medicine used to treat a certain type of depression called Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Zoloft belongs to a class of medicines known as SSRIs.

Zoloft is also used to treat or manage:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Panic Disorder
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. You should discuss all treatment choices with your healthcare provider.

Zoloft is safe and effective in treating children with OCD age 6 to 17 years.

It is not known if Zoloft is safe and effective for use in children under 6 years of age with OCD or children with other behavior health conditions.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not think that your condition is getting better with Zoloft treatment.

Effexor is a prescription medicine used to treat depression. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. You should discuss all treatment choices with your healthcare provider. Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not think that your condition is getting better with Effexor.

Do Not take Zoloft if you:

• take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take an MAOI, including the antibiotic linezolid.
• have taken an MAOI within 2 weeks of stopping Zoloft unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider.
• have stopped taking an MAOI in the last 2 weeks unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider.
• take any other medicines that contain sertraline (such as sertraline HCl or sertraline hydrochloride).
• take the antipsychotic medicine pimozide (Orap^®) because this can cause serious heart problems.
• are allergic to sertraline or any of the ingredients in Zoloft. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Zoloft.
• take Antabuse^® (disulfiram) (if you are taking the liquid form of Zoloft) due to the alcohol content.

People who take Zoloft close in time to an MAOI may have serious or even life-threatening side effects. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:

• high fever
• uncontrolled muscle spasms
• stiff muscles
• rapid changes in heart rate or blood
• confusion
• loss of consciousness (pass pressure out)

Before starting Effexor, USP, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Are taking certain drugs such as:
• Medicines used to treat migraine headaches such as:
• triptans
• Medicines used to treat mood, anxiety, psychotic or thought disorders, such as:
• tricyclic antidepressants
• lithium
• SSRIs
• SNRIs
• antipsychotic drugs
• Medicines used to treat pain such as:
• tramadol
• Medicines used to thin your blood such as:
• warfarin
• Medicines used to treat heartburn such as:
  • Cimetidine
• Over-the-counter medicines or supplements such as:
• Aspirin or other NSAIDs
• Tryptophan
• St. John's Wort
• have heart problems
• have diabetes
• have liver problems
• have kidney problems
• have thyroid problems
• have glaucoma
• have or had seizures or convulsions
• have bipolar disorder or mania
• have low sodium levels in your blood
• have high blood pressure
• have high cholesterol
• have or had bleeding problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Effexor, USP will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of treating depression during pregnancy
• are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. Some Effexor, USP may pass into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking Effexor, USP.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Venlafaxine tablets, USP and some medicines may interact with each other, may not work as well, or may cause serious side effects.

Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can tell you if it is safe to take Effexor, USP with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicine while taking Effexor, USP without talking to your healthcare provider first.

If you take Effexor, USP, you should not take any other medicines that contain (venlafaxine) including: venlafaxine HCl.

• Take Zoloft exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of Zoloft until it is the right dose for you.
• Zoloft Tablets may be taken with or without food.
• Zoloft Oral Solution may look cloudy or hazy after mixing, this is normal.
• Zoloft Oral Solution must be diluted before use:
  • Do not mix Zoloft until you are ready to take it.
  • When diluting Zoloft Oral Solution, use only water, ginger ale, lemon/lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice.
  • The oral dropper contains latex. If you are sensitive or allergic to latex, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the best way to measure your medicine.
• If you miss a dose of Zoloft, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.Do not take two doses of Zoloft at the same time.

If you take too much Zoloft, call your healthcare provider or poison control center right away, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

• Take venlafaxine tablets, USP exactly as prescribed. Your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of venlafaxine tablets, USP until it is the right dose for you.
• Venlafaxine tablets, USP is to be taken with food.
• If you miss a dose of venlafaxine tablets, USP, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of venlafaxine tablets, USP at the same time.
• If you take too much venlafaxine tablets, USP, call your healthcare provider or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.
• When switching from another antidepressant to venlafaxine tablets, USP your doctor may want to lower the dose of the initial antidepressant first to avoid side effects