Sertraline
About Sertraline
Sertraline is an oral prescription medication primarily used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It helps restore the natural chemical balance in your brain to improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy levels. This medicine belongs to a class of drugs widely prescribed by mental health professionals to help manage ongoing emotional distress.
To achieve the best results, you should take Sertraline consistently at the same time every day, either with or without food. Establishing a regular daily routine helps maintain a steady level of the medication in your body. Combining this treatment with healthy daily habits, such as regular light exercise and structured sleep routines, can significantly support your progress.
While taking Sertraline, some people may experience mild, temporary side effects like nausea, dry mouth, or trouble sleeping, which usually fade within a few weeks. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you notice any severe changes in your mood, severe dizziness, or signs of an allergic reaction. Your healthcare provider is your best resource for managing any unexpected physical or emotional changes.
Talk to your doctor before starting Sertraline if you have a history of seizures, liver damage, heart problems, or bipolar disorder. Do not take this if you are currently taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or pimozide, as combining these can lead to dangerous, life-threatening reactions. Only a qualified healthcare professional can determine if this medication is safe for your specific medical history.
This medicine can interact with alcohol, which can significantly worsen drowsiness and coordination, so it is highly recommended to avoid alcoholic drinks during treatment. You should also consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are an older adult, as these situations require specialized medical guidance.
Uses of Sertraline
Medicinal Benefits
Sertraline helps improve emotional well-being by reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and related mental health conditions. By supporting a more balanced mood, it can help you feel more in control of your thoughts, emotions, and daily activities. Benefits may include:
- Helps reduce feelings of depression, sadness, and hopelessness.
- Relieves anxiety, excessive worry, and nervousness.
- Helps manage panic symptoms and improves confidence in social situations.
- Reduces repetitive thoughts and compulsive behaviours associated with certain anxiety disorders.
- Supports healthier sleep patterns, appetite, and overall emotional balance.
- Improves daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Directions for Use
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet, as this can affect how the medicine is absorbed into your system.
- You may take this medication with or without food.
- Take your dose at the same time every day to maintain a consistent amount of the medicine in your body.
- Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding your dose and schedule. Never stop taking this medication suddenly without consulting your healthcare provider first.
Storage
Side Effects of Sertraline
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea, upset stomach, or mild diarrhea
- Dry mouth or loss of appetite
- Feeling unusually tired, sleepy, or having trouble falling asleep
- Mild headaches or temporary dizziness
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe dizziness, fainting, or a rapid, irregular heartbeat
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as a skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat
- Worsening depression, sudden behavior changes, or thoughts of self-harm
- Signs of serotonin syndrome, including extreme agitation, hallucinations, heavy sweating, shivering, severe muscle stiffness, or fever
- Unusual or unexplained bruising and bleeding
Medicines Containing this Salt
View All
Drug Warnings
- Avoid driving if you feel dizzy: Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform tasks requiring sharp mental focus until you know how this medication affects you.
- Check liquid clarity: If using the liquid concentrate form, make sure the solution is clear and colorless before mixing and taking it. Do not use it if it is cloudy or changed in color.
- Monitor for mood and behavior changes: Sertraline may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts, self-harming behavior, or unusual changes in mood, particularly in children, adolescents, and young adults during the first few weeks of treatment or after a dose adjustment.
- Ensure close supervision in younger patients: Children and adolescents taking Sertraline should be monitored regularly by a specialist to assess treatment response and watch for any behavioral or emotional changes.
- Do not stop treatment abruptly: Do not stop taking Sertraline suddenly, as this may cause withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, anxiety, sleep disturbances, or tingling sensations. Your doctor may gradually reduce the dose before stopping treatment.
- Contact your doctor if symptoms persist or worsen: Speak with your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve, become worse, or if side effects interfere with your daily activities.
- Seek urgent medical attention for serious reactions: Get immediate medical help if you experience thoughts of self-harm, symptoms of serotonin syndrome, severe allergic reactions, unusual bleeding, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Taking these together can cause a dangerous, life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Do not take Sertraline within 14 days of using an MAOI.
- Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin): Taking these medicines alongside Sertraline may increase the risk of bruising, bleeding, or internal bleeding.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen): Combining these with Sertraline may increase the risk of stomach bleeding, ulcers, and other bleeding-related complications.
- Triptans and other SSRIs: Taking this with other medicines that raise serotonin levels (like certain migraine drugs or other antidepressants) increases the risk of severe serotonin-related side effects.
Drug-Food Interactions
- Grapefruit juice: Avoid consuming large quantities of grapefruit juice, as it can interfere with how your body breaks down this medication, potentially raising drug levels in your blood.
- Alcohol: Avoid alcoholic beverages completely, as alcohol can dangerously increase the sedative effects of this medicine.
Drug-Disease Interactions
- Liver damage: If you have liver problems, your body may process this medicine more slowly, which may require your doctor to adjust your dose.
- Seizure disorders: This medicine should be used with extreme caution if you have a history of epilepsy, as it may increase the risk of seizures.
- Bipolar disorder: This medication can sometimes trigger manic episodes in individuals who have undiagnosed bipolar disorder.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Sertraline as it may increase the risk of drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty in concentrating.
Pregnancy
unsafeSertraline is a Category C pregnancy drug and is not recommended for use during pregnancy especially in the last 3 months as 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 makes breathing faster. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorSertraline may be excreted in human milk. Please consult a doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother. Sertraline is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
unsafeSertraline may cause dizziness, drowsiness or impair thinking. Therefore, avoid driving if you experience any of these symptoms after taking Sertraline.
Liver
cautionTake Sertraline with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Sertraline in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
consult your doctorSertraline may be used only to treat Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children aged 6 to 17 years. Sertraline is not recommended to treat any other disorders in children below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Limit or avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine can severely increase drowsiness, impair your coordination, and reduce the effectiveness of your treatment.
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, as some medications in this class can cause mild dehydration or lower sodium levels, particularly in older adults.
- Maintain a consistent sleep routine: Go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, and limit caffeine intake in the afternoon and evening to support better sleep quality.
- Incorporate regular light exercise: Activities like walking, swimming, or gentle yoga can help boost natural endorphins and work alongside your medication to improve mood.
- Eat balanced meals: Eating small, regular meals can help manage initial, mild side effects such as nausea or changes in appetite.
Special Advise
Sertraline may interfere with a urine test. Therefore, it is advised to inform your doctor or lab technician that you are taking Sertraline.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Depression: It is a mood disorder associated with symptoms such as sadness and being unable to sleep properly or enjoy life as you used to do. Depression can also influence some chronic health conditions and relationships. The exact cause of depression is unknown, but it may be associated with mental problems, trauma, family history, drug use, and medical conditions.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): It is a mental disorder with symptoms such as excessive thoughts or ideas (obsessions) leading to repetitive behaviours (compulsions).
Panic disorder: It is linked to anxiety with sudden fear, even when there is no danger in reality.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): It is a mental condition that occurs after experiencing a very emotional or terrifying event and has symptoms similar to anxiety and depression.
Social anxiety disorder: It is a social phobia associated with intense anxiety or distress in social situations.
FAQs
Sertraline used in the treatment of Depression, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Social anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, and Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Yes, Sertraline may be used to treat a panic disorder by reducing fear. However, please consult a doctor before using the Sertraline.
No, you are not recommended to take Sertraline with opioids as co-administration of these medicines may cause adverse effects such as hallucinations, increased muscle tension, excessive sweating, fever, anxiety, involuntary, rhythmic contractions of muscles, including the muscles that control eye movement, tremor or even coma. However, before using Sertraline with any other medicines, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dosage may be adjusted accordingly to use safely.
Yes, Sertraline may cause self-harming or suicidal thoughts, especially in patients aged less than 25 years or who have a history of self-harming thoughts. Therefore, please consult a doctor immediately if you experience any such thoughts while taking Sertraline.
The duration of treatment varies from person to person. Many individuals continue treatment for at least 6 to 12 months after their symptoms improve. Some people may require longer treatment to prevent symptoms from returning. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment duration based on your condition and progress.
Sertraline may affect male fertility as it may reduce sperm quality. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are planning to father a child.
Sertraline should be used with caution in diabetic patients as it may alter blood sugar levels. Therefore, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended while taking Sertraline, especially if you have diabetes, and the dose of diabetic medicines may be adjusted appropriately by your doctor.
Sertraline contains Sertraline, which inhibits the reabsorption of released serotonin back into the nerve cells. Thus, it increases the serotonin (chemical messenger) activity in the brain that regulates mood, behaviour and emotions. Thereby, Sertraline helps in relieving depression, lightening the mood and relieving anxiety symptoms such as fear and panic.
The side effects of Sertraline include nausea, headache, diarrhoea, tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness and insomnia (difficulty sleeping). If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
You are recommended to take Sertraline for as long as it is prescribed by your doctor, which may be for several months. Do not stop taking Sertraline before the advised time as it may cause depression to recur.
Take Sertraline as advised by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food at any time of the day and is usually taken once a day. Take it as per your convenience but preferably at the same time every day. Some people should take it in the morning who have sleep difficulty after taking Sertraline. Whereas, some take it at night to minimize the side effects of vomiting and nausea.
Yes, mild drowsiness or fatigue is a common side effect, especially during the first few weeks of starting the medication. If it makes you feel sleepy during the day, your doctor may suggest taking your daily dose in the evening. Talk to your doctor to find the best dosing schedule.
Sertraline increases the serotonin levels which is an important chemical and a neurotransmitter. This helps to improve and regulate mood, resulting in an improvement in the anxiety symptoms.
No, you should not stop taking this medication on your own, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, irritability, and headache. Your doctor will help you gradually decrease your dose when it is safe to stop. Talk to your doctor before making any changes.
The withdrawal symptoms of Sertraline include numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, dizziness, nausea, trouble sleeping, headaches, feeling agitated or anxious, and shaking. However, these symptoms are usually mild to moderate and disappear 1-2 weeks after stopping Sertraline.
The symptoms of Sertraline overdose include fever, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, shakiness, and a rapid heartbeat. Whereas, serious side effects include heart problems, fainting, delirium, and changes in blood pressure. If you experience such symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Weight changes can vary; some people experience a mild decrease in appetite or temporary weight loss when starting the medicine due to mild nausea, while others may experience weight gain over long-term use. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about weight changes during your treatment.
The decision to use Sertraline during pregnancy requires careful consideration of both the benefits and potential risks. Untreated depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions can also affect the health of both the mother and baby. Your doctor will carefully assess your individual situation and discuss the most appropriate treatment approach. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or become pregnant while taking Sertraline, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Moderate caffeine intake is generally safe, but because caffeine can worsen anxiety symptoms and disrupt sleep, it is best to limit your intake, especially in the afternoon. Talk to your doctor if you experience increased jitteriness or trouble sleeping.
You should use caution when taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, as they can increase the risk of stomach bleeding when combined with this medicine. Acetaminophen is generally a safer option for pain relief. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Sexual side effects, such as a decreased sex drive or difficulty reaching orgasm, are recognized side effects of this class of medication. These symptoms often persist during treatment but can be managed by adjusting your dose or exploring other treatment options. Talk to your doctor to find a comfortable solution.
Stopping Sertraline abruptly can cause discontinuation symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headache, anxiety, sleep disturbances, vivid dreams, irritability, and tingling sensations. Your doctor will usually recommend gradually reducing the dose over time to help minimize these effects.
