What is sertraline?
Sertraline is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs). Sertraline affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression,
panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Sertraline is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, anxiety
disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Sertraline may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sertraline?
Do not use sertraline if you are using pimozide (Orap), or an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or
selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam). Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these medicines
are taken with sertraline. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you
can take sertraline. After you stop taking sertraline, you must wait at least 14 days before you start
taking an MAOI.
Before taking sertraline, tell your doctor if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take sertraline.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if
you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or
suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening
lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you
may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are
planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking sertraline, do not stop taking the
medication without first talking to your doctor.
It is not known whether sertraline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give sertraline to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.
Sertraline is FDA-approved for children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is not
approved for treating depression in children.
How should I take sertraline?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally
change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.
Take the sertraline tablet with water.
Sertraline may be taken with or without food.
Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription
label.
The oral liquid form of this medicine must be diluted before you take it. To be sure you get the
correct dose, measure the liquid with medicine dropper provided, not with a regular table spoon. 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.
It may take 4 weeks or longer before you start feeling better. Do not stop using sertraline
without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this
medication suddenly.
Store sertraline at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of sertraline?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about sertraline?
Your pharmacist has information about sertraline written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of sertraline?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms 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.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven
heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes;
-
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling
unsteady, loss of coordination; or
-
headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems,
weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
drowsiness, dizziness, tired feeling;
-
mild nausea, stomach pain, upset stomach, constipation;
-
dry mouth;
-
changes in appetite or weight;
-
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. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about sertraline?
Do not take sertraline together with pimozide (Orap), or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl,
Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before
you can take sertraline. After you stop taking sertraline, you must wait at least 14 days before you start
taking an MAOI.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if
you are younger than 24 years old. Sertraline is FDA-approved for children with
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is not approved for treating depression in children. Your
doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms 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.
SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn
babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of
depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or
if you become pregnant while taking sertraline, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to
your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking sertraline?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of sertraline.
Do not take the liquid form of sertraline if you are taking disulfiram (Antabuse). Liquid
sertraline may contain alcohol and you could have a severe reaction to the disulfiram.
Sertraline can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or
allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or
anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by sertraline.
What other drugs will affect sertraline?
Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This
includes aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin),
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone
(Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with sertraline may cause you to
bruise or bleed easily.
Before taking sertraline, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
-
tramadol (Ultram, Ultram ER, Ultracet);
-
digitoxin (Crystodigin);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin), valproate (Depacon, Depakene);
-
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
any other antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil),
citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine
(Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or paroxetine (Paxil);
-
almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan
(Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or
-
heart rhythm medication such as flecainide (Tambocor),
propafenone (Rhythmol), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
sertraline. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of sertraline?