Sticking to your medication routine (or medication adherence) means taking your medications as prescribed – the right dose, at the right time, in the right way, and frequency. Why is doing these things important? Simply put, not taking your medicine as prescribed by a doctor or instructed by a pharmacist could lead to your disease getting worse, hospitalization, even death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that non-adherence causes 30 to 50 percent of chronic disease treatment failures and 125,000 deaths per year in this country. Twenty five to 50 percent of patients being treated with statins (cholesterol lowering medications) who stop their therapy within one year have up to a 25 percent increased risk for dying.
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the U.S., and it impacts nearly 1 in 5 adults every year. Anxiety is a common feeling, but if that feeling is overwhelming or persists for more than 6 months, it could require medical attention.
What Is Ativan And What Does It Treat?
Ativan is a brand of lorazepam, a benzodiazepine approved for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, or sleep difficulty due to anxiety or stress, status epilepticus (continuous seizures), and as a medication given right before anesthesia. However, benzodiazepines can also be used to treat alcohol withdrawal.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) occurs when a person experiences excessive anxiety or worry for at least six months. When starting Ativan, anxiety or insomnia may improve rapidly or over a period of days.
Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan, are often used for short periods of time only. They may produce emotional and/or physical dependence (addiction) even when used as recommended. With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine.
What Is Zoloft And What Does It Treat?
Zoloft is a brand of sertraline, a medication that belongs to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. It is also approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults, children and adolescents aged 6-17 years.
PTSD occurs when a person experiences a traumatic event (e.g., assault, combat experience) and then later feels on edge; avoids situations that remind them of the event; and experiences flashbacks or nightmares.
PMDD is a condition where a woman experiences depression, tension, and irritability for a few days prior to menstruation that end when menstruation begins. These symptoms are more severe than those of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Panic Disorder occurs when a person experiences unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear. These episodes have physical symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and nausea. Fear of future episodes is also part of panic disorder.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) occurs when a person experiences the following symptoms at the same time:
- Obsessions (unwanted, recurrent, and disturbing thoughts)
- Compulsions (repetitive, ritualized behaviors that the person feels driven to perform in order to lessen the anxiety produced by the obsessions)
Social phobia/social anxiety disorder is a fear of situations where one may feel as if they are being judged by others. Symptoms include:
- Blushing
- Difficulty talking
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Shaking
Zoloft may also be helpful when prescribed “off-label” for binge-eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). “Off-label” means that it hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this condition.
Your mental health provider should justify his or her thinking in recommending any “off-label” treatment. They should be clear about the limits of the research around that medication and if there are any other options.
Can I keep Taking Ativan Until Zoloft Kicks In?
The major similarity between Ativan and Zoloft is the off-label use of Zoloft for generalized anxiety disorder. However, concurrent usage of Ativan and Zoloft can increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.
Avoid taking Ativan before Zoloft kicks in so as to avoid unpleasant effects of drug interaction and side effects. Anxiety medications are in categories and within each of these categories, there are subgroups of drugs that work differently and have their own benefits, risks, and possible side effects.
While Ativan is a benzodiazepine, Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor meaning they do not belong to the same drug class and do not work in a similar way.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are often used as the first line of treatment for anxiety. They make serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps maintain mood, become more available to the brain. These medications often take four to six weeks, or longer, to be fully effective.
It’s important that you discuss with your doctor about the best anti anxiety medication for you and follow his or her instructions when taking any prescription drug. Also talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about the side effects of a medication, or if the drug you’re taking doesn’t seem to be alleviating your symptoms.
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