Sertraline

Description

Sertraline is a medicine used to treat mental conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (repetitive thoughts that do not go away causing the need to perform certain actions over and over), panic attacks (sudden or unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry), posttraumatic stress disorder (disturbing psychological symptoms that develop after a frightening experience), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). Sertraline shows side effects like nausea, indigestion, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, difficulty in sleeping, decreased sexual drive, erectile dysfunction, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen. It may also cause dizziness and visual disturbances. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy or your vision is not clear. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it. Sertraline may be taken with or without food. Your doctor will prescribe the dose and duration of this medicine based on the type and severity of your medical condition. Your doctor may start a lower dose and increase it gradually. Avoid changing the dose or stop taking it on your own even if you feel well. Doing so may make your condition worse, or you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, dizziness, sleep disturbances, etc. Sertraline should be used with caution if you have seizures (fits), glaucoma (abnormally high pressure inside the eye that may eventually lead to blindness), diabetes, or liver problems. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines before starting the treatment to avoid any undesired effects. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Sertraline

  • Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • Abnormal ejaculation
  • Aggression or anger
  • Diarrhoea
  • Drowsiness
  • Increased sweating
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Difficulty in urination
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and Vomiting

Uses of Sertraline

What is it prescribed for?

  • Depression
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The time taken by Sertraline to show its action is not known.
  • Duration of effect
    The time duration for which Sertraline remains effective in your body is not known.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Avoid consumption of alcohol if you are taking Sertraline as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, etc. Avoid performing activities that require mental alertness, like driving vehicles or operating machines.
  • Is it habit forming?
    Sertraline has no habit-forming tendency.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Sertraline is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Sertraline may pass into the breastmilk in small amounts. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor to understand the potential risks and benefits before taking this medicine.

Allergy

Avoid taking Sertraline if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of medicines used to treat depression. Sertraline is not recommended for use if you are taking MAOIs as it may cause undesired effects. Sertraline should not be used for at least 14 days after discontinuation of monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Sertraline is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Sertraline may pass into the breastmilk in small amounts. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor to understand the potential risks and benefits before taking this medicine.
General warnings

Suicidal thoughts

Sertraline may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and changes in behaviour. Caretakers should be counselled about such symptoms. Any unusual changes in behaviour or suicidal thought should be reported to the doctor immediately.

Low sodium levels

Sertraline may cause hyponatraemia (low sodium levels in the blood). This risk is higher in the elderly and people taking diuretics (medicines that increase water and sodium excretion from the body). Your doctor may monitor your sodium and other electrolytes levels during treatment with this medicine.

Seizures

Sertraline should be used with caution if you have seizures (fits) as it may trigger a seizure attack.

Withdrawal symptoms

Sertraline should not be discontinued abruptly as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, sleep disturbances, tremor, anxiety, etc. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.

Impaired liver function

Sertraline is broken down in the liver, and an impaired liver cannot break down this medicine effectively, leading to its accumulation in the body. Hence, Sertraline should be used with caution if you have liver problems. Your doctor may recommend dose adjustment based on your clinical condition.

Use in children

Sertraline is not recommended for use in children less than six years of age.

Diabetes

Diabetes refers to high blood sugar levels. Sertraline should be used with caution if you have diabetes as it may alter blood sugar levels.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take a dose of Sertraline at a given time, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Never take more than the prescribed dose of Sertraline. Seek emergency medical attention in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Avoid consumption of alcohol if you are taking Sertraline as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, etc. Avoid performing activities that require mental alertness, like driving vehicles or operating machines.
Interaction with Medicine

Ciprofloxacin

Clozapine

Ondansetron

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Disease interactions

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve (the nerve connecting the eye to the brain) is damaged, usually due to high pressure within your eyeballs. Sertraline should be used with caution if you have glaucoma due to the increased risk of high intraocular pressure (fluid pressure within the eyes).
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Sertraline with or without food as prescribed by your doctor. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Avoid taking more or less than the prescribed dose. Do not stop taking thismedication suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking this medicine. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience unusual changes in behaviour or develop suicidal thoughts.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Sertraline works by increasing the levels of a chemical substance in the brain that improves mood and physical symptoms of depression, thus helping in relieving depressive symptoms.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Schedule

Schedule H

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Sertraline 100mg film-coated Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/29567#PHARMACOKINETIC_PROPS>

Drugs, H., 2021. Sertraline: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697048.html>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - SERTRALINE- sertraline hydrochloride tablet, film coated. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=f9641190-9151-4f7e-89ff-1e7a818c30ee#LINK_0e306600-7ee1-4b8a-b4f9-5339975de4de>

Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2021. TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2010-PI-01109-3&d=20211206172310101>

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Information on this page was last updated on 24 Jan 2022

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.