What exactly is sertraline?
Sertraline is an antidepressant in the class of medicines known as Sertraline. It changes brain chemicals that may be out of balance in persons suffering from depression, panic attacks, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Sertraline is a medication that is used to treat major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (PTSD). Sertraline is also prescribed for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Warnings
- Sertraline should not be used if you are simultaneously taking pimozide or are being treated with methylene blue injection.
- If you've taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine, don't take sertraline.
- When first using an antidepressant, some children and young adults suffer suicidal thoughts. Keep an eye out for changes in your mood or symptoms. Inform your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms.
Prior to using this medication
- Sertraline should not be used if you are allergic to it or if you are also taking pimozide. If you are on disulfiram, do not take this medicine in liquid form (Antabuse).
- Sertraline should not be taken within 14 days before or after using an MAO inhibitor. It is possible that a hazardous drug interaction will occur. Isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and other MAO inhibitors are available.
- Inform your doctor if you are also using stimulant medication, opioid medication, herbal items, or medication for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting prevention.
- Sertraline interactions may result in a dangerous disease known as serotonin syndrome.
To ensure that sertraline is suitable for you, inform your doctor if you have ever had:
- manic depression (bipolar disorder);
- Heart disease, hypertension, or a stroke;
- illness of the liver or kidneys
- seizures;
- glaucoma;
- If you have bleeding issues or are on warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
- or long QT syndrome
- sodium deficiency in your blood
When they first start taking an antidepressant, some young people have suicidal thoughts. At regular check-ups, your doctor should monitor your progress. Changes in your mood or symptoms should also be monitored by your family or other carriers. Sertraline is only licensed for use in children above the age of six to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, not depression. Taking sertraline during pregnancy may harm the baby, but discontinuing the medication may be harmful to you. Do not start or stop using this medication without first consulting your doctor.
What is the best way for me to take sertraline?
Sertraline should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. Read all drug guides or instruction sheets and follow all guidelines on your prescription label. Your dose may be adjusted from time to time by your doctor. Take sertraline at the same time every day, with or without food.
Sertraline liquid (oral concentrate) must be diluted with a liquid before administration. All mixing instructions provided with your drug should be read and carefully followed. If you require assistance, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Use the supplied syringe or dose-measuring equipment to measure the combined medicine (not a kitchen spoon).
If you stop taking sertraline abruptly, you may experience unpleasant side effects (such as agitation, confusion, tingling, or electric shock feelings). Before discontinuing medication, consult with your doctor.
Keep firmly closed and away from moisture and heat at room temperature.
Dosing instructions
Adult Standard Dose for Depression:
The first dose is 50 mg taken orally once a day.
Maintenance Dosage: 50 to 200 mg orally once daily.
Adult Typical Dose for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:
The first dose is 50 mg taken orally once a day.
Maintenance Dosage: 50 to 200 mg orally once daily
Adult Standard Dose for Panic Disorder:
Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day, gradually increased to 50 mg orally once a day after one week.
Dose for maintenance: 50 to 200 mg orally once a day.
Adult Typical Dose for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:
Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day, gradually increased to 50 mg orally once a day after one week.
50 to 200 mg orally once a day as a maintenance dose.
Side effects of sertraline
If you notice any of the following symptoms of an allergic response to sertraline, get emergency medical attention: A rash or hives on your skin (with or without fever or joint pain); difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or neck.
Report to your doctor any new or worsening symptoms, such as mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have suicidal or self-harming thoughts.
If you develop any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor right away:
- a convulsion;
- Changes in vision, eye pain, redness, or edema;
- Low blood sodium can cause headaches, confusion, difficulty with thinking or memory, weakness, and a shaky feeling.
- Manic episodes are characterized by racing thoughts, heightened energy, extraordinary risk-taking behavior, intense happiness, and irritability or talkativeness.
If you suffer symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, high heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, seek medical assistance right once. Sertraline has been linked to stunted growth in children. Your child's height and weight may be measured on a regular basis.
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