If you are allergic to SERTRALINE or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. SERTRALINE may be used only to treat Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children aged 6 to 17 years and does not treat any other conditions in children below 18 years of age. SERTRALINE is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially in the last 3 months. It may cause a serious condition in the baby, such as persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), which causes the baby to appear bluish and breathing faster. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. SERTRALINE may be excreted in human milk. Please consult a doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother. SERTRALINE should be used with caution in elderly patients as there is an increased risk of low sodium levels in the blood.  If you have any self-harming or suicidal thoughts before taking SERTRALINE, inform your doctor as they may worsen in the initial days of taking SERTRALINE. Do not take SERTRALINE with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as moclobemide and methylene blue to treat depression and opioids pain killer as it may cause severe adverse effects. If you have diabetes, fits, bipolar disorder, bleeding disorders, glaucoma, severe diarrhoea, low sodium or potassium levels in the blood, neuroleptic malignant syndrome or serotonin syndrome (potentially life-threatening conditions), liver or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking SERTRALINE. 

Drug-Drug Interactions: SERTRALINE may have interaction with antiparkinson drug (selegiline), antibiotic (linezolid), antipsychotic drugs (pimozide, haloperidol, perphenazine, olanzapine, levomepromazine), opioid pain killers (buprenorphine, fentanyl, tramadol), opioid antagonists (naloxone), blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine), monoamine oxidase inhibitors used to treat depression (moclobemide, methylene blue), antifungals (fluconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole), antibiotics (erythromycin, telithromycin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin), antidepressants (nefazodone, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, desipramine), antimanic drug (lithium), anticonvulsants  (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital), painkillers (ibuprofen, aspirin), antidiabetic drug (tolbutamide), antacids (cimetidine, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, omeprazole, lansoprazole).

Drug-Food Interactions: SERTRALINE may interact with St. John’s wort (a herbal medicine used to treat depression) and grapefruit juice as they may increase the risk of a build-up of high levels of serotonin in the body. Also, avoid intake of alcohol while taking SERTRALINE as it may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty in concentrating.

Drug-Disease Interactions: If you have diabetes, fits, bipolar disorder, bleeding disorders, glaucoma, severe diarrhoea, low sodium or potassium levels in the blood, neuroleptic malignant syndrome or serotonin syndrome (potentially life-threatening conditions), liver or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking SERTRALINE.

• Maintain a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid fried foods, high-fat dairy products, pastries and processed foods as they may worsen anxiety. Include foods rich in omega fatty acids such as fish, nuts, fresh fruits, vegetables and olive oils.
• Neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids. Amino acid-rich foods such as meat, dairy products, and certain fruits and vegetables help in the proper maintenance of neurotransmitters.
• Complex carbohydrates help in stimulating serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter). These include whole grains, legumes, spinach, broccoli, oranges and pears.
• Exercising helps in the production of the body’s natural antidepressants. It also helps in relieving stress, improving mood, boosts self-esteem, and provides restful sleep.
• Perform meditation and yoga. This helps in relieving stress and provides relaxation.
• Regularly attend therapy sessions.
• Follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the amount and quality of sleep you get.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.

• SERTRALINE may interfere with a urine test. Therefore, it is advised to inform your doctor or lab technician that you are taking SERTRALINE.