AboutMary E Scott, RPh, CGP Expertise I am a certified geriatric pharmacist with over 23 years experience as a long-term care consultant to nursing homes. I also do community-based consulting on an individual basis. My facility-based monthly newsletter on pharmacy topics is read by nurses in over 200 long-term care facilities in 5 states.
Experience I received a BS in Pharmacy in 1980 with post-graduate work in public health. I have had a Consultant Pharmacist license since 1984.
Organizations American Society of Consultant Pharmacists .I received certification in geriatric pharmacy in 1998.
Question I'm currently taking Toprol XL for atrial fibrillation & have just recently started on Zoloft (only 25 mg for right now), for anxiety. Will the Zoloft have any interaction with my Toprol XL heart medication? What kind of side effects from taking the two together can I expect?
Answer Hi,Joy,
Zoloft is a good choice compared with other SSRI's (serotonin re-uptake inhibitors)such as Prozac and Paxil. They have the potential to increase the heart rate-slowing effect of Toprol,causing too much slowing of the heart rate which could be dangerous. Zoloft doesn't do this.
The dose is low enough that you probably won't notice any drowsiness, but it may be a good idea to take this at night if you do. Hope this helps, Mary
