Symptoms of Zoloft Overdose
Zoloft increases the available amount of serotonin, the “feel happy” neurotransmitter responsible for mood and other aspects of health. Too much serotonin, however, can cause symptoms ranging from unpleasant to serious.
Serotonin Syndrome
Among the most serious risks of Zoloft overdose is serotonin syndrome, in which levels of serotonin reach a level that can cause symptoms such as:
Muscle rigidityHallucinationsConfusionSeizuresComa
Serotonin syndrome is most likely to happen in interaction with another drug.
Getting Help for Zoloft Overdose
If you or someone you know has accidentally taken a higher dose of Zoloft than prescribed, it’s a good idea to get help right away, before the drug has a chance to cause unpleasant or dangerous symptoms. If a trip to an emergency room isn’t possible, call the national toll-free Poison Control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or visit PoisonHelp.org. The staff there is trained to assess your situation over the phone and give advice about what to do.
Information to Have Ready
When you go to the emergency room or call Poison Control, the more information you’re able to provide, the more precise the treatment can be. Having the following information available will be helpful:
Any other drugs or supplements taken along with ZoloftCurrent signs/symptomsHow long since the drug was takenHow much Zoloft was consumed (actual amount or your best guess)The person’s age, sex, and weightThe regular dosage (what the doctor prescribed)Whether the person attempted to commit suicide
Treatment
If the overdose was fairly recent, healthcare providers might pump the person’s stomach to remove any of the drug that the body has not absorbed yet. Another option is to use activated charcoal to absorb any remaining medication in the stomach. There’s no antidote for a Zoloft overdose. Healthcare providers will monitor the person’s vital signs—heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure—and treat any problems that might arise.
Next Steps
Following treatment for a Zoloft overdose, full recovery occurs once the drug has fully left the system. If the overdose was accidental, the doctor will advise the person on what to do next, which may involve switching to a different antidepressant or adjusting the dosage. The next step is to make sure that an overdose does not happen again. To prevent accidental overdose:
Avoid recreational substance use.Avoid taking Zoloft with other prescription antidepressants.If you miss a dose of your medication, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, however, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your regular time.Talk to your doctor about any other medications you’re taking.Never take two doses of Zoloft at the same time.
If the overdose was intentional, short-term treatment might involve hospitalization until the risk of suicide is no longer imminent. Health professionals might advise switching to another type of antidepressant if sertraline has not been effective in reducing depressive symptoms. Long-term treatments might involve further use of antidepressants, psychotherapy, and psychosocial support to address suicidal thoughts and symptoms of depression.
How Much Zoloft Is Too Much?
A person’s tolerance for a drug depends on many factors such as age, body weight, overall health, and other substances ingested. For this reason, it’s difficult to know whether a particular dose of Zoloft might be harmful for a particular person. One dose may be exactly right for relieving symptoms for one person, whereas the same amount of medication could cause symptoms of overdose in another. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
