Comparison of the effectiveness of Zoloft and Fluoxetine
The effectiveness of Zoloft is quite similar to Fluoxetine - this means that the ability of the drug substance to provide the maximum possible effect is similar.
For example, if the therapeutic effect of Zoloft is more pronounced, then using Fluoxetine even in large doses will not achieve this effect.
Also, the speed of therapy - an indicator of the speed of therapeutic action - is approximately the same for Zoloft and Fluoxetine. And bioavailability, that is, the amount of a drug reaching its site of action in the body, is similar. The higher the bioavailability, the less it will be lost during absorption and use by the body.
How to take Fluoxetine
The tablets are taken in the dose prescribed by the doctor, washed down with water. It is not necessary to associate the medicine with periods of eating. It is preferable to take Fluoxetine in the morning, as it has a pronounced stimulating effect.
The treatment regimen depends on the identified disorders. General recommendations:
- 1 tablet once a day: to eliminate symptoms of apathy and depression;
- 1 tablet 2-3 times a day: for the treatment of bulimia.
In some cases, the dosage may be increased to 5-6 or 8 tablets per day. Their intake is divided into 3-4 times.
The course of treatment for acute stress is 3–4 weeks. For prolonged depression, it is necessary to take Fluoxetine for at least 3-4 months, sometimes up to six months. It is necessary to discontinue therapy according to a specific regimen, gradually reducing the dose. Abrupt withdrawal of the drug can cause a relapse of negative conditions.
Comparison of the safety of Zoloft and Fluoxetine
The safety of a drug includes many factors.
At the same time, in Zoloft it is quite similar to Fluoxetine. It is important where the drug is metabolized: drugs are excreted from the body either unchanged or in the form of products of their biochemical transformations. Metabolism occurs spontaneously, but most often involves major organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, brain and others. When assessing the metabolism of Zoloft, as well as Fluoxetine, we look at which organ is the metabolizing organ and how critical the effect on it is.
The risk-benefit ratio is when the prescription of a drug is undesirable, but justified under certain conditions and circumstances, with the obligatory observance of caution in use. At the same time, Zoloft does not have any risks when used, just like Fluoxetine.
Also, when calculating safety, it is taken into account whether only allergic reactions occur or possible dysfunction of the main organs. In other matters, as well as the reversibility of the consequences of using Zoloft and Fluoxetine.
Antidepressant fluoxetine prevents coronavirus from multiplying in cells
As German scientists have established, fluoxetine prevents the exit of coronavirus from the endolysosome into the cell. Enveloped viruses, which include SARS-CoV-2, often penetrate the host cell (although the SARS-CoV-2 membrane can directly). Viral particles, whose S protein binds to cellular ACE2 receptors, are captured in a membrane vesicle - an endolysosome, and the viral membrane in this case fuses. In any case, for membrane fusion to occur, the virus must first prime the S protein—cut it so that it takes on the desired conformation. S-protein is broken down by cellular proteases, for example, serine protease TMPRSS2 on the outer cell membrane or endolysosomal proteases.
To prevent infection, both TMPRSS2 inhibitors and endolysosomal protease blockers can be used as drug targets.
Normally, during endocytosis, the pH in the internal space (lumen) of endolysosomes gradually decreases, and pH-dependent lysosomal proteases are activated. An increase in the level of cholesterol in the membranes of endolysosomes disrupts the functioning of the enzyme - membrane H+-ATPase, which acidifies the internal environment of the lysosome. It was previously shown that macrolide antibiotics that inhibit membrane ATPases effectively block the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into cells. However, these drugs are quite toxic.
There is a group of widely used drugs, FIASMA - functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase, which catalyzes the breakdown of sphingomyelin into phosphocholine and ceramide. These drugs cause the accumulation of cholesterol in endolysosomes (and therefore stop the decrease in pH and prevent the activation of proteases that help the viral genome penetrate the cytoplasm). A prominent representative of them is the antidepressant fluoxetine, known under the trade name Prozac. Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has been used as an antidepressant for many years with good tolerance and few side effects.
Scientists from the Westphalian Wilhelm II University (Münster, Germany) demonstrated the inhibitory effect of fluoxetine on SARS-CoV-2; experiments were performed on Vero E6 and Calu-3 cell lines. Neutralization of pH in endolysosomes of cells treated with fluoxetine was already recorded at low doses of the drug, and cholesterol levels increased significantly at higher doses. The number of cells in which the viral protein was detected decreased by 90% at a dose of 20 µM.
The antiviral effect of fluoxetine can, according to the authors, be used in therapy that stimulates the protective functions of the body - the host of the virus (so-called host-directed therapy).
Comparison of addiction between Zoloft and Fluoxetine
Like safety, addiction also involves many factors that must be considered when evaluating a drug.
So, the totality of the values of such parameters as “o syndrome” in Zoloft is quite similar to the similar values in Fluoxetine. Withdrawal syndrome is a pathological condition that occurs after the cessation of intake of addictive or dependent substances into the body. And resistance is understood as initial immunity to a drug; in this it differs from addiction, when immunity to a drug develops over a certain period of time. The presence of resistance can only be stated if an attempt has been made to increase the dose of the drug to the maximum possible. At the same time, Zoloft has a fairly low incidence of “syndrome”, just like Fluoxetine.
Side effects
During treatment with the drug, various reactions may develop in the vascular, nervous and digestive systems:
- headache;
- insomnia;
- increased sweating;
- tremor;
- irritability;
- violation of thermoregulation;
- panic attacks;
- tachycardia;
- hyperreflexia;
- spasms of muscles and internal organs;
- change in taste, dry mouth, nausea.
People prone to hypertension may experience increased blood pressure and associated negative symptoms.
Comparison of side effects of Zoloft and Fluoxetine
Side effects or adverse events are any adverse medical event that occurs in a subject after administration of a drug.
Zoloft has almost the same level of adverse events as Fluoxetine. They both have few side effects. This implies that the frequency of their occurrence is low, that is, the indicator of how many cases of an undesirable effect of treatment are possible and registered is low. The undesirable effect on the body, the strength of influence and the toxic effect of Zoloft are similar to Fluoxetine: how quickly the body recovers after taking it and whether it recovers at all.
special instructions
Use fluoxetine with caution in patients with acute cardiovascular disease[12].
When treating patients with underweight, anorexigenic effects should be taken into account (progressive weight loss is possible). In patients with diabetes mellitus, the use of fluoxetine increases the risk of developing hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia when it is discontinued. In this regard, the dose of insulin and/or any other hypoglycemic drugs used orally should be adjusted.
Until significant improvement in treatment occurs, patients should be under medical supervision.
During treatment with fluoxetine, you should refrain from drinking alcohol. Fluoxetine is prescribed with caution for activities that require a high concentration of attention and speed of reactions [13].
In old age, treatment with fluoxetine should begin with 1/2 dose.
Comparison of ease of use of Zoloft and Fluoxetine
This includes dose selection taking into account various conditions and frequency of doses. At the same time, it is important not to forget about the release form of the drug; it is also important to take it into account when making an assessment.
The ease of use of Zoloft is approximately the same as that of Fluoxetine. However, they are not convenient enough to use.
The drug ratings were compiled by experienced pharmacists who studied international research. The report is generated automatically.
Last update date: 2020-12-04 13:48:40
VENLAFAXINE
Name:
Gella Admin
Review:
I was prescribed Velaxin capsules when dereal and anxiety attacks appeared. Unlike other drugs, I did not notice any weight gain; on the contrary, my appetite returned to normal. But I carefully took it at 75 mg per day - one capsule. Remission came quite quickly. I said goodbye to the haze in my head and the feeling of being an “observer.” It’s good that he activates me so much, I even felt hyperactive at some point, but it didn’t even suit me. Of the ADs, I liked the effect the most so far.
Name:
Yana Ivanova
Review:
I am being treated with Velaxin capsules for advanced depression. I now feel the most alive I have in recent years. Previously, after lunch I felt lethargic and asthenia. I even had to go remote from my office job so that I could lie around and do nothing during the day. Now I’m thinking about returning to the office, because I have energy throughout the day and feel more productive. I also said goodbye to anxiety symptoms, there are not even periodic outbreaks of anxiety
Name:
Alla Nubaryan
Review:
Before taking Velaxin capsules, I took a lot of antidepressants, but they could not remove depression. They could only make this condition worse. The largest dose of the drug is 150 mg. I took it for 3 months. After the doctor's adjustment, in the next 3 months his dose was half as much - 75 mg. I regretted that I didn’t seek help earlier; I had a severe, acute case. After six months of daily use, my condition completely stabilized. I completely got rid of depression and became my former active and loving self.
Name:
Sofa Karaseva
Review:
Last year in the winter I began to notice absent-mindedness, apathy, I could fall asleep at 7 pm, wake up at 2 am, sleep disturbances began, all this was reinforced by fatigue and a complete lack of desires, sometimes I did not even have the strength to eat. She sounded the alarm when she began to be regularly late for work. I had to contact a specialist to save my job. I took Velaxin capsules according to the prescription, first 75 mg, then in an increased dose of 150. After increasing the dose, I felt fatigue for the first couple of weeks, then it went away. After taking it for a year, there was nothing left of depression, I feel great, cheerful, and I work with pleasure.
Name:
Inga Balakai
Review:
I never thought that I would have to face real depression, no joke...however, never say never. I had to take Velaxin (capsules). The psychotherapist recommended and prescribed it for me and said that if it doesn’t work, we’ll stop taking it. However, it turned out to be suitable for me. Starting from the 10th day, it became better, the depression receded, I began to do my favorite things, for which I had neither physical nor, most importantly, emotional strength left before. And as soon as I felt the return of attention to myself and a caring attitude, everything began to improve. I had to finish the course; it lasted six months.
