Zoloft for Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is a stiffening and soreness in the joints. Medications aimed at treating arthritis act to loosen joints and relieve soreness and inflammation. Zoloft may be an option for treatment, especially for those suffering from inflammatory arthritis.

Traditional use

• Zoloft is usually indicated for use in patients suffering from depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders and post traumatic stress disorder. It changes brain chemistry to help treat these disorders, which should be kept in mind before using Zoloft to treat arthritis.

Dual treatment

• Individuals suffering from one of the aforementioned disorders as well as rheumatoid arthritis are best suited to Zoloft treatment, as it can potentially help to cure both issues.

Traditional options

• More traditional medications prescribed to treat arthritis include counter-irritants, analgesics, biologics, corticosteroids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Drug interactions

• Talk to your doctor before taking Zoloft in conjunction with another arthritis medication, especially non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, as it may cause bruising and bleeding to occur more easily than is normal.

Side effects

• Like most medications, Zoloft carries with it a variety of potential side effects, including, but not limited to gastrointestinal disturbances, loss of coordination, headache, drowsiness, loss of libido, confusion, shallow breathing, stiff muscles and uneven heartbeat.

Inflammation

• Rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling in the joints, and Zoloft can help to reduce this swelling, thus reducing pain and allowing for better joint mobility.