Taking Zoloft

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Memory Loss and Zoloft?

Feb. 2003

This is so frustrating. I have been on Zoloft for about three months. It has given me back my life in many ways. The one downside is that my memory is now TERRIBLE. I have to write down EVERYTHING I want to do, down to the simplest things, such as emailing this digest. If not, it gets forgotten right away, as quickly as turning my head to look at something else. This is constant. Does anyone else experience this and are there possibly any solutions? My diet is excellent and I don't drink alcohol, so dietary changes aren't needed. I'm not willing to give up the Zoloft for now. Thanks! anon

Your experience with memory loss and Zoloft is not unique. All the SSRI medications are pretty potent things, and they all have their host of side effects. I had similar experiences with Zoloft only worse. The good news is that if you do need to be taking anti-depressents, there is now a plethora of them, and you just need to find the right one for you. If you do not already have a referral to a specialist with psychotropic meds, find one. Ask your physician for a recommendation. There are physicians/ psychiatrists who know this stuff inside and out. There is no need for you to give up an anti-depressent. You would probably be weaned off of Zoloft while being put on something else so that you would not be without medication during the transition. Some of the newer meds are much gentler on the memory, the libido, the energy, and other common side effects. Feel free to write to me if you can't come up with a specialist. Good luck Tobie

I have been on Zoloft for quite a few years now (7 or so) and have only recently noticed memory problems, which I attribute to peri-menopause, not to the drug. If you are feeling more positive effects than negative, give it a bit more time, and perhaps it will get better, or you will get really good at list- making....
happy and not too forgetful