Sertraline is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Sertraline affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression, panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms and you can get online from pillsbrothers.
Uses
Sertraline is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
• a seizure (convulsions);
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling;
• low levels of sodium in the body- headache, confusion, memory problems, severe weakness, feeling unsteady; or
• manic episodes- racing thoughts, increased energy, unusual risk-taking behavior, extreme happiness, being irritable or talkative.
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Common sertraline side effects may include:
• drowsiness, tiredness, feeling anxious or agitated;
• indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
• sweating;
• tremors or shaking;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Interactions
Sertraline oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Drugs you should not use with sertraline
Do not take these drugs with sertraline. When they are used with sertraline, they can cause dangerous effects in your body. These drugs include:
• Taking this drug with sertraline can cause serious heart problems.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Taking these drugs with sertraline increases your risk of serotonin syndrome. You must also wait 14 days between taking these drugs and taking sertraline.
• Linezolid, intravenous methylene blue. Taking this drugs with sertraline increases your risk of serotonin syndrome.
Interactions that increase the risk of side effects
Taking certain medications with sertraline may result in increased side effects. These drugs include:
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin and warfarin. Taking these drugs with sertraline increases your risk of bleeding or bruising.
• Triptans such as sumatriptan. Your risk of serotonin syndrome is increased when you take these drugs with sertraline. Your doctor should watch you closely if you take these drugs together.
• Taking this drug with lithium increases your risk of serotonin syndrome.
Serotonergic medications such as fentanyl, tramadol, and St John’s wort. Taking these drugs with sertraline increases your risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Taking cimetidine with sertraline may cause a build-up of sertraline in your body. Your dose of sertraline might need to be lowered if you take it with cimetidine.
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine, and imipramine. Taking sertraline with these drugs may cause these drugs to build up in your body. Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage of tricyclic antidepressants while you take sertraline.
Dosage
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Sertraline may be taken with or without food. Try to take the medicine at the same time each day.
The liquid (oral concentrate) form of sertraline must be diluted before you take it. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with the medicine dropper provided. Mix the dose with 4 ounces (one-half cup) of water, ginger ale, lemon/lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice. Do not use any other liquids to dilute the medicine. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
This medicine can cause you to have a false positive drug screening test. If you provide a urine sample for drug screening, tell the laboratory staff that you are taking sertraline.
It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Do not stop using sertraline suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using sertraline.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to sertraline:skin rash or hives (with or without fever or joint pain); difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
