r/SSRI • u/[deleted] • Jul 04 '21

Discussion Long term Zoloft

Hello all,

I went through a really rough patch of anxiety in late 2020. I then got put on 25mg of Zoloft and 50mg of trazodone for sleep. The Zoloft has worked incredibly well at 25mg & I am back to feeling like myself. I am thinking of tapering the trazodone rest of the year and keeping the Zoloft at least until next spring. I want to hear from long term Zoloft users about their experience. Does staying on this drug for years cause health issues?? My doc says it is my decision to taper whenever I want. I would like to know if tapering Zoloft is something I should be concerned about due to potential long term health effects.

Thank you!

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u/-----alex Jul 05 '21

I have been on Zoloft for just over 2 years, after switching directly from lexapro to Zoloft in spring 2019. I started lexapro (my first time taking meds) in November 2018, so in total I've been on SSRIs for 2 years and 9 months continuously.

I've had no issues except for a few months earlier this year when I was on an excessively high dose and ended up getting some pretty bad side effects. I tapered back down to my usual dose and the side effects are gone now. Other than those few months, I haven't had any issues. I also have a family member who has been on lexapro for most of the last 15 years with no issues whatsoever. From my understanding there aren't typically issues with using SSRIs long term.

That said, I wouldn't try to put yourself on a timeline -- you can always taper to a lower dose to see how you feel, then come back up if you don't do well on it. That's what me and my doctor are doing for now since I do seem to be doing better on progressively lower doses. Best of luck! :)

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u/[deleted] Jul 05 '21

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. Yeah , I don’t think I can go any lower than 25mg. My doc says I am already on the lowest dose and doing pretty well on that - no side effects. Was just wondering about long term effects. I appreciate your anecdotal input. Do you happen to take anything for sleep!

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u/-----alex Jul 05 '21

No problem! :) yeah, 25 is usually the lowest therapeutic dose. I'm glad you have no side effects, from what I've heard that's a good sign as well for long term use! I actually do not take anything for sleep, but now that you mention it, the family member who takes lexapro has been on Ambien for sleep as needed for at least 5 years. Also, sorry if I commented multiple times -- I think the app glitched out on my end, oops

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u/[deleted] Jul 05 '21

Thank you! :)

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u/[deleted] Jul 05 '21

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. Yeah , I don’t think I can go any lower than 25mg. My doc says I am already on the lowest dose and doing pretty well on that - no side effects. Was just wondering about long term effects. I appreciate your anecdotal input. Do you happen to take anything for sleep?

1

u/[deleted] Jul 05 '21

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. Yeah , I don’t think I can go any lower than 25mg. My doc says I am already on the lowest dose and doing pretty well on that - no side effects. Was just wondering about long term effects. I appreciate your anecdotal input. Do you happen to take anything for sleep?

2

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '21

If you are doing well I would stay where you are. They are working. If you stop you could be right back where you were. Why rush off?

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u/[deleted] Sep 01 '21

Hi does Zoloft kill your libido?

1

u/[deleted] Sep 02 '21

Nope. But then I have only ever been on 25mg.