Why do you need to dilute liquid Zoloft before drinking it?

Hello Quikagc5,

  According to MedicineNet, you may mix your liquid Zoloft with water,
ginger-ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade or orange juice, but no other
type of liquid. I assume you meant you were interested in something to
*mix* Zoloft with and not dilute the dose. One should not dilute the
dose unless directed by your doctor.

  "At the time your dose is to be taken, use the dropper provided and
remove the prescribed amount of liquid from the medication bottle. Mix
this liquid with one-half cup (4 oz. or 120 ml.) of water, ginger ale,
lemon-lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice. Do not use any other types
of liquids for mixing this drug. The mixture may appear cloudy; this
is normal. Mix each dose just before taking it. Do not pre-mix doses
for use at a later time. Take this medication/liquid mixture by mouth
usually once daily with or without food; or as directed by your
doctor. It is recommended that you take your dosage at the same time
each day, either in the morning or in the evening. Use this medication
regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. The dosage is
based on your medical condition and response to therapy. It is
important to continue taking this medication as prescribed even if you
feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your
doctor. It may take up to 4 weeks before the full benefit of this drug
takes effect."
http://www.medicinenet.com/sertraline_liquid_concentrate-oral/article.htm

Good Luck! If this is not the answer you were seeking, please request
an Answer Clarification, and I will be happy to respond, before you
rate.

Sincerely, Crabcakes

Search Terms
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Liquid Zoloft

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Request for Answer Clarification by quikagc5-ga on 18 Nov 2005 06:58 PST

The comment about the burning sensation in the mouth if you don't mix
it with a specified fluid is more what I was looking for.  My wife
took the syringe that is used to measure the prescribed amount of
Zoloft and squirted it into a glass of water.  She then drank the
water without mixing it and as she got toward the bottom of the glass,
she told me it tasted gross and gave her a slight burning taste.  She
immediately refilled the glass and flushed down more water.

So, she was worried that she didn't "mix" it correctly and the
mixture(or lack thereof) would cause problems in the sense that the
dosage was now not going to work correctly because she didn't truly
mix it.  I hope that provides clarification on my question.  Thank
you!!

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Clarification of Answer by crabcakes-ga on 18 Nov 2005 08:59 PST

Thank you for your clarification! The clarification process is
intended just for this purpose!


Zoloft should always be stirred before drinking. However, your wife
took the right steps to remedy the situation. It's most imoortant that
she get the entire dose.

I won't go so far as to say the amount of liquid needed to mix the
Zoloft with is arbitrary, but one reason it was chosen is to provide
an amount of liquid that one would willingly drink down in one take.
The primary reason 1/2 cup was selected is that amount will prevent
the burning and bad taste. The fact that your wife added more liquid
to the glass to get the remaining Zoloft was a good move! Not to worry
about the extra liquid, just mix the Zoloft and the water/juice/soda
well before drinking!

Regards, Crabcakes

Thank you for the prompt response and prompt clarification!

I'm not a physician, don't trust Google answers for medical advice,
talk to your doctor, nothing here should make you change your medical
routine without your doctor's advice, and the rest of the disclaimer
as seen, below plus a few more.

Quickagc5, I believe the reason for diluting (or mixing into another
liquid) is that liquid Zoloft (sertraline) is dispensed as a
concentrate, and the medicine is a hydrochloride. Simplified, this
means a hydrochloric acid molecule hangs off the end of the medicine
molecule

Failure to dilute this as instructed will probably cause a burning
sensation in the mouth and/or throat similar to that you might get
from acid reflux or vomit, for example. This is because your stomach
acid is also hydrochloric acid, though probably quite a bit more
powerfully acidic than the Zoloft.

It is very important to follow the directions for diluting carefully.
You should not mix the liquid Zoloft with anything other than water,
ginger ale,
lemon-lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice, as described in Zoloft's
instructions. Other drinks might damage or destroy the medicine
molecule, changing or eliminating the effectiveness. You must not make
up the mixture until you are about to take it because even the drinks
recommended will cause the medicine to break down, and rather quickly.

Besides, four ounces of orange juice is GOOD for you!