Sertraline refers to an antidepressant belonging to SSRIs � a group of drugs which are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The medication addresses the brain chemicals and is meant to recover the balance.
Sertraline is prescribed to patients who suffer from panic disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Sertraline is also used for other purposes.
What should I discuss with my doctor before taking sertraline?
Keep in mind that in some cases patients have suicidal thoughts or even behavior at the beginning of their treatment using antidepressant drugs. People who are under 18 years old run higher risks, so one should read the prescription thoroughly or even consult with the doctor. While you are taking this medication or if you decided to increase/reduce the dosage, you should monitor changes in your thoughts and behavior to prevent depression. Warn your family or other caregivers about possible changes in your mood and watch over your mental health during the first 12 weeks of treatment.
It isn't recommended to take Sertraline in case you are under pimozide (Orap) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline (Emsam, Eldepryl), isocarboxazid (Marplan) or phenelzine (Nardil). If you have been taking these medications, you should wait at least 2 weeks before starting Sertraline treatment.
Before using Sertraline make sure that you don't have seizures or epilepsy, a history of suicidal thought or drug abuse, liver or kidney disease and bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression). Basically Sertraline isn't prescribed for people who have one of these conditions without dosage adjustment or special tests being performed.
Sertraline features FDA pregnancy category C, that means that the drug may have a negative impact on the fetus and isn't recommended to pregnant women.
If you are breastfeeding, keep in mind that there is no data about the influence of Sertraline on breast milk.
How should I take sertraline?
It is important to keep the exact dosage, without increasing it spontaneously. Adjust your dosage and don't change it without having a good reason for it.
The tablets should be taken with water.
You would better take the drug at the same time daily.
The medication can be taken either with or without food.
Don't stop taking Sertraline if you can't see a positive result. Usually it takes not less than 4 weeks to the drug to show a good effect on your body. In case you choose to discontinue the treatment earlier, it may result in unpleasant side effects.
Sertraline should be stored at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose?
In case you accidentally missed a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose of Sertraline, skip the missed one and then return to your regular schedule. Never take an extra dose to catch up the missed one.
What happens if I overdose?
? If you think an overdose may have occurred, you should seek immediate medical help. Common Sertraline overdose symptoms include agitation, seizures, dizziness, drowsiness, rapid heartbeat, tremor, nausea, vomiting, confusion and even coma.
Give up alcohol, as it is likely to aggravate Sertraline side effects.
Avoid taking drugs which have a soporific effect, like pain medications, cold medicine and muscle relaxants. Otherwise you may feel much more sleepy while taking the drug.
In some cases Sertraline leads to side effects that impact reaction and thinking, so try to avoid activities requiring mental alertness, like driving.
What are the possible side effects of sertraline?
In case you noticed one of the following allergy symptoms, you should seek immediate medical assistance: difficulty breathing, skin rash, hives, and swelling of the face, tongue, throat or lips.
Let your doctor know as soon as you have these side effects, and they even get worse: panic attacks, agitation, severe restlessness, mania, suicidal thought, mental/physical hyperactivity, anxiety, mood changes, trouble sleeping, aggressiveness and irritability.
In some rare cases the patient may suffer from such side effects as twitching, tremor, muscle stiffness and shivering; seizures or convulsions; confusion, agitation, fast heartbeat and sweating; or problems with coordination and balance.
Less serious side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, feeling nervous, unable to sit still and restless, dry mouth, insomnia, weakness, changes of appetite or weight, difficulty having an orgasm, decreased sex drive or impotence.
If you experience other side effects than listed below, seek medical help.
What drug(s) may interact with sertraline?
Sertraline may interact with different medications. Thus, it isn't recommended to take Sertraline with any of the following drugs:
astemizole (Hismanal�)
cisapride (Propulsid�)
pimozide (Orap�)
terfenadine (Seldane�)
thioridazine (Mellaril�)
medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil�), tranylcypromine (Parnate�), isocarboxazid (Marplan�), selegiline (Eldepryl�)
Learn more about the interaction of Sertraline with the following drugs before you start taking it:
amphetamine
bosentan
carbamazepine
certain diet drugs (dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine, sibutramine)
other medicines for mental depression, mania, anxiety, psychosis or difficulty sleeping
phenobarbital
prescription pain medications
procarbazine
rifabutin
rifampin
rifapentine
selegiline
St. John's wort
tolbutamide
tramadol
warfarin
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
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