Q:
I started taking 50mg of Zoloft. I have been on it for quite awhile. I have noticed that since I have started, I have had crazy cravings. I have a huge desire to drink beer. I am not that big of a drinker, but I have the desire to drink every day. Also, I have been craving cigarettes. The funny thing is that I am not a smoker. I have never smoked, and I really dislike smoking! Yet, I have this craving to smoke. The same thing with my sex drive, it has gone way out of whack. First I actually lost my sex drive, but after a month or two it is now way out of control. I have an over active sex drive. Is this something you have heard of before? None of these really happened until after I started taking Zoloft.
A:
The increased impulsiveness in sexual drive, and desire/craving to use substances is certainly not a typical nor desirable side effect of antidepressants like Zoloft and implies you may have some neurochemistry similar to bipolar (manic depressive) individuals which the antidepressant is "uncovering". You don't mention why it was prescribed to you, or whether you have had relief of those original symptoms, but the concern is these impulses may cause you some serious harm if not addressed. It is best to discuss this with your prescribing provider as another medication may be safer for you without these side effects.
~The Doc
