Heidi asked
Hi, can I take two 50mg Zoloft (sertraline) instead of one 100mg?
Answer
Taking two sertraline 50 mg tablets is equivalent to taking one sertraline 100 mg tablet. Both products will have the same effect and there should be no clinical difference between them. Some medications have multiple dosage forms so it is always important to ask a pharmacist or physician before taking a different dosage form than prescribed.
For example, some medications may have different salt forms including metoprolol tartrate vs metoprolol succinate and sevelamer hydrochloride vs sevelamer carbonate. In addition, some medications have immediate release and extended release formulations including diltizem vs diltiazem extended release and divalproex delayed release vs divalproex extended release.
At times, these seemingly minor differences can make an
impact on the effect of the medication. Sertraline is only supplied as an
immediate release tablet and is only available as sertraline hydrochloride.
More Information About Zoloft (Sertraline)
Sertraline (Zoloft) is a commonly used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that can be used for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and others.
SSRIs, such as sertraline, enhance the effect of serotonin by blocking the reuptake at the neuronal membrane. Over time, this effect works to improve mood disorders like depression and PTSD. Combining SSRIs with other medications that effect serotonin can cause a condition known as serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome can cause rapid elevation in temperature, high blood pressure, rigidity, and delirium.
Although serotonin syndrome is rare, it can be an extremely
severe condition that requires emergent treatment. Serotonin syndrome is
especially rare while taking just one medication that impacts serotonin, but
the risk increases with each additional medication. Common medications that can
increase the risk of serotonin syndrome include opioids like tramadol, antipsychotics,
tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dextromethorphan, and
others.
