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  Does Zoloft Causes Heartburn?

Zoloft is a medication used for patients who suffer from depression. Despite its usefulness, there were a lot of complaints that the side-effect from taking the medicine results from mild to severe heartburn. Doctors who prescribed this drug to their patients also conceded to the fact that there is a large possibility of causing this side-effect though not everyone seems to suffer from it.

does zoloft causes heartburn
What is Zoloft?

Zoloft is a prescription-only medication for patients who suffer from depression. The drug was first introduced and approved by the FDA in 1991 with a generic name Sertraline.

This prescription drug is mainly used to treat patients who have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMSD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and Depression.

Heartburn as a Side-Effect

Side-effects of Zoloft (Sertraline) are well-documented. Patient who take this medication to cure their depression often suffer from dry mouth, constipation, and nausea with possible vomiting. The usefulness of the drug is mostly attributed to its advantages despite the side-effects.

However, many reports in the medical field states that a lot of patients who take Zoloft suffer from heartburn. In most cases, doctors believe that the usual side-effects of this medicine may possibly contribute to this problem. For example, dry mouth reduces the amount of saliva running down the esophagus which is known to neutralize excess acid in the stomach. Constipation may also be attributed to heartburns as well since both usually go side by side. Same can also be said with nausea and vomiting though this side-effect is more forceful compared to others.

Anti-depressant medications tend to relax the patient; which in turn, relaxes the smooth muscles of the esophageal sphincter, thus allowing backflow of gastric juices to the esophagus resulting in heartburn.

Usage

Doctors advise patients who take in Zoloft and suffer heartburns to continue the medication with some additional instructions. For starters, Zoloft should be taken after meals. Washing down the medicine with a glass of water is also advisable, as well as drinking water from time to time to counteract the lack of saliva to neutralize excess acids. Some doctors tell their patients to take in milk instead of water to wash it down, further counteracting the excess acid. Keep in mind that there is still a possibility for heartburns to occur but the chances of it happening should be less.

Substitute

Despite the abundance of anti-depressant medications in the market today, Zoloft is still the preferred choice due to its potency. However, doctors who have patients that suffer from heartburns every time they take the drug are instructed other medications to appease complaints. Zoloft may still be used if home remedies to combat heartburns are effective; if not, then a substitute medication is advised.

Countering Heartburn for Zoloft Users

There are heartburn remedies for those who seek to continue using Zoloft. In most cases, doctors advise their patients to utilize antacids as a means of countering massive build-up of excess acids in their stomach.

For those who want to stay away from more medications, whether in fear or for the lack of funds, there are home remedies that you can try and see if it works for you.

1. Raw Yogurt – raw yogurt, as opposed to commercial yogurts, contain probiotics that maintain the pH balance in the body. This is also quite useful in soothing the burning sensation of heartburns to temporarily alleviate the discomfort. Make sure that the yogurt you’re planning to use is free from preservatives and artificial sweeteners since these are known to aggravate the problem.  

2. Milkmilk is a base substance that can easily counteract excess acid in the stomach. However, it is advisable to refrain from drinking too much to avoid other problems. Even a cup of milk might be enough to create acid reflux symptoms in some people.