What is Zoloft?
Zoloft, a brand name for sertraline, is a prescription medication used for treating depression. Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and works by maintaining balance of serotonin levels in your brain. It is commonly prescribed for:
- Major depressive disorder,
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),
- Panic disorder,
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
- Social anxiety disorder,
- And premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Zoloft is also approved for use in children ages 6–17 years to treat OCD [1, 2, 3, 4].
The medication active in Zoloft, sertraline, works by modulating brain serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical found in the body and associated with a feeling of happiness and well-being. Zoloft can improve:
- Mood
- Appetite
- Energy and sleep
- Decrease anxiety, fear, obsessive tendencies [5].
Zoloft comes in a tablet form and a solution form that you take orally once a day [2, 3, 4]. However, Zoloft has side effects ranging from minor to severe. They may be suicidal thoughts, nausea, muscle tremors and sexual complications [3].
Like many medications, Zoloft can cross-react with other medications or supplements.
Can Antidepressants Cause Acne?
The majority of people take antidepressants to manage depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. They may treat these conditions effectively but can also have side effects. One side-effect observed is the appearance of skin problems, such as acne.
Antidepressants and Acne
Some scientific papers and individual case reports have mentioned an association between acne and the intake of certain antidepressants. In a case report, for example, an acne-like rash appeared in a woman taking the tricyclic antidepressant amineptine for chronic depression [6]. A second case report adduced a young woman with bipolar disorder who acquired acne while taking the second-generation antipsychotic ziprasidone [7].
Frequency and Severity
These are side effects that have been reported but don’t happen all that often. A 2014 review of clinical trials said the majority of people taking antidepressants report no skin side effects. If they do occur, excessive sweating or acne will usually happen within the first few days of the medication [8].
Although some antidepressants can be shown to cause acne, this isn’t universal. Take care to share this with your doctor if you’re on an antidepressant and you’re getting acne. They can advise what medication is the culprit and how to treat it.
How Can Acne Caused By Antidepressants Be Treated?
Acne is a typical side effect of antidepressants like amineptine and ziprasidone [9, 7]. This is difficult to keep track of, especially for patients who are presently coping with mental illness. But there are also a few ways of managing acne caused by antidepressants.
Dermatological Treatments
Acne can be managed with dermatology procedures. Products like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids can be applied topically to ease inflammation and open pores. Oral antibacterials or isotretinoin are used in more severe cases [8]. However, there are mental health risks associated with isotretinoin in itself, and the medication should be administered with caution in patients who already have a mental health disorder [10, 11].
Adjusting Antidepressant Medication
The other solution is to tinker with the antidepressant drug. It might mean a dose decrease, a change in antidepressants or quitting the medication altogether. Yet any medication change should be conducted under the guidance of a medical professional as drastic medication changes could cause withdrawal or even relapse of the mental health condition [12, 13].
Holistic Approach
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