Use of Zoloft After Brain Injury

Use of Zoloft After Brain Injury
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A brief summary of current research.

Impact of Early Administration of Sertraline on Cognitive and Behavioral Recovery in the First Year After Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Baños, JH, Novack, TA, Brunner, R, Renfroe, S, Lin, Hui-Yi, Meythaler, J. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation: Vol. 25 (5), pp. 357–361.

In order to determine whether the drug sertraline (brand name: Zoloft) has the ability to improve cognitive and behavioral outcomes in people with brain injury, this study compared a group of patients who received the drug with a group who did not. Sertraline does not appear to prevent development of these problems following TBI, although it may be useful in treating existing cognitive and behavioral issues in people after brain injury.

Find out more.

Posted on BrainLine November 22, 2010.

Comments (7)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

Wanda replied on

My mom is 87 and has been taking Zoloft since October 2022. She has brain damage since she has a aneurism at 72 that leaked on the area of the brain that handles emotions and stress. She has started having violent outburst and I am very suspicious that it is the Zoloft that is causing this. The only meds she takes are cholestrol pills and sleeping meds that she has been taking for the last 25 years. Have asked the doctors to do an evaluation on this medicine.

Carol replied on

Very similar experience except my son did survive after 2 days in ICU from grand mal. His brain injury was 20 years before. He was on Zoloft for 9 months prior before it built up in his system. Now he takes seizure meds but doctor believes it was the zoloft.

MR replied on

What dosage are you on please?

ering replied on

I have been using Zoloft for 4 months now, after having post concussion syndrome for 10 months. It is helping greatly. My headaches, mood, and patience are much better.

Mom replied on

Be careful. It built up in my son's system and caused him to have a grand mal seizure; and he had another build up when he died 5 years ago. He would have been 28 today.

Anonymous replied on

I've been dealing with post-concussion syndrome for 9 months. I've used Zoloft for almost 2-3 weeks now. I'm thinking clearer, I'm focusing better, my hypercusis is going away, my depression is better, my panic attacks are lessening. All in all, I've have a good experience with it.

Anonymous replied on

I've used it successfully after mine for 30 years now.