What is Sertraline and what are the indications of it?
Sertraline (Zoloft) is antidepressant. It belongs to the class of medicines known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) with little or no affinity for alpha-adrenergic histamine or cholinergic receptor.
The dosage form of it are: tablets, capsules and oral solution.
Sertraline is indicated to treat:
- Major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Panic Disorder.
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
The dosage of Sertraline depends on age, pharmaceutical form, weight, pathological condition, liver and kidney function.
What are the most common side effects of Sertraline and how to reduce them?
Nausea: Try to take Sertraline with or after food. Nausea usually improves over time as your body adjusts to the medication.
Headache: Make sure to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid excessive alcohol intake.Your headache usually improves after the first week of taking Sertraline.
Insomnia: Insomnia may be a symptom of depression itself. Sertraline usually helps improve sleep problems associated with depression but it just takes time. If Sertraline causes insomnia, your health care provider may advise you to take your dose in the morning.
Feeling sleepy: Take Sertraline in the evening and avoid alcohol. Do not drive if you feel drowsy.
Diarrhoea: Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhea without consulting your pharmacist or doctor.
Dry mouth: Chewing sugarless gum can help.
Feeling tired and dizzy: If Sertraline makes you dizzy or tired, stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better.
Ejaculation disorders, decreased libido, and erectile dysfunction. Possible solutions include: lowering the dose, switching to another antidepressant, adding medication to improve sexual side effects and taking Sertraline in the morning.
High risk of bleeding: Sertraline may cause nosebleeds, bleeding gums, black stools and pink urine.The risk of bleeding increases when sertraline is taken with other drugs that may cause bleeding, such as NSAIDs and anticoagulants.
Serotonin Syndrome: This is a serious side effect of Sertraline that may occur when Sertraline is combined with other medications that also increase serotonin levels including other antidepressants, painkillers like tramadol and triptans. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome range from mild, such as tachycardia, sweating, and shivering, to serious, such as abnormal body movements, confusion, and high blood pressure.
If you experience any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Interactions
When taking another medicine with Sertraline, Sertraline may increase the effect of the another medicine increasing its risk or the another medicine may either decrease the effect of Sertraline or increase its side effects. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.
Common medications that may interact with Sertraline include:
- Phenelzine.
- Pimozide.
- Procarbazine.
- Selegiline.
- Thioridazine.
- Amitriptyline.
- Apalutamide.
- Clarithromycin.
- Dextromethorphan.
- Linezolid.
- Metoclopramide.
- Amiodarone.
- Metoprolol.
- NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen.
- Clopidogrel.
- Warfarin.
Effect of Sertraline on pregnancy:
You can take Sertraline if you are pregnant. Sertraline can sometimes affect a child’s heart development according to some studies. In any case, if there is any danger, it is minimal, and most babies born to women taking Sertraline have a natural heart.
It can sometimes cause short-term withdrawal symptoms but is very rare, and respiratory problems for your child if you take Sertraline in the weeks leading up to birth, after birth your baby will be tested and given additional care if required.
It may also increase the risk of bleeding after childbirth slightly if you take Sertraline in the last month of pregnancy. But because the occurrence of this side effect is rare and treatable, it is not a reason to stop taking this drug if you are pregnant.
Dealing with mental health problems well be important and necessary during pregnancy because it can affect your health and your child’s well-being. Anxiety and depression can sometimes worsen during pregnancy and after the baby is born.
If you take Sertraline and become pregnant, talk to your doctor to help you assess the risks and benefits so that you can make a decision about the best treatment for you and your child.
Effect of Sertraline on breastfeeding:
It’s okay to take Sertraline while breastfeeding if your child’s health is good. It is a preferred antidepressant during breastfeeding and has been used without any problems by many nursing mothers.
Talk to your healthcare professional as soon as possible if:
Your child seemed unusually sleepy, not to feed as usual, to suffer from a colic, to be irritable, or to have any other concerns about your child.
Effect of Sertraline on fertility:
In women, Sertraline does not reduce your fertility. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are trying to get pregnant to review your treatment.
In men, Sertraline may reduce sperm quality, but it is not known if this reduces fertility. Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty trying for a baby.
Warning:
Sertraline carries an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, this risk is higher when starting the treatment or changing its dose. Ask for help if you notice any negative changes in your mood.
Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome:
When you stop taking Sertraline abruptly, you may experience symptoms like weakness, muscle aches, anxiety and irritation. Avoid stopping your medication without talking to your healthcare provider, they can help you to lower your dose gradually.