Is it okay to increase Zoloft dosage from 25 mg to 50 mg? 

Is it okay to increase Zoloft dosage from 25 mg to 50 mg? 

It is absolutely okay to take 50 mg of Zoloft instead of 25 mg if your healthcare provider recommends it. Dose escalation should only be done by a healthcare provider and you should never increase either the dose or frequency of drug administration on your own. 

Both 25 mg and 50 mg are considered low doses of Zoloft and 50 mg is known as the standard dose. In usual practice, Zoloft is started from the lowest effective dose and 25 mg is considered in some cases. 

Once your body adjusts to the medication and you’re not allergic to any component of the antidepressant, that’s when your dose is increased to help you achieve a better therapeutic response. 

What are the side effects associated with increasing Zoloft dosage from 25 mg to 50 mg? 

You may or may not suffer from additional side effects once your dose is increased from 25 mg to 50 mg. Some people respond relatively well to 25 mg but begin to experience some common side effects, including:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 
  • Diarrhoea or Constipation 
  • Increased appetite 
  • Acid reflux or heartburn 
  • Metallic taste 
  • Abdominal pain
  • Drowsiness 
  • Insomnia 
  • Dizziness 
  • Muscle tension
  • Excessive sweating 
  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Sexual side effects in both men and women 

What to do if you can’t cope with an increased Zoloft dose?

If you begin to experience unusual side effects once your dose is increased, immediately report them to your healthcare provider. 

It is important to know that it is not recommended to stop using Zoloft abruptly, considering it a way out. Abrupt antidepressant withdrawal can subject you to horrible symptoms associated with Zoloft withdrawal syndrome. 

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References

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National Library of Medicine. US National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus: Sertraline [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health (NIH); [updated 2021 Apr 15; cited 2022 Oct 29]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697048.html

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