What is Sertraline Tablet?
Sertraline is an FDA- approved prescription medication indicated for the treatment of depression, OCD, and other psychotic illnesses. Sertraline oral tablet is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that works by increasing serotonin, the feel-good hormone, levels in the brain.
Manufactured by: Pfizer
Brand Name: Zoloft
Generic: Sertraline HCL
Drug Class: SSRI
Price: 73PKR/tablet
Available Strength: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg
Highlights:
- Sertraline is a controlled substance used only on prescription for the treatment of depression, OCD, anxiety, and other psychotic illnesses
- Sertraline increases suicidal thoughts and behavior, especially in young adults and children
- Close monitoring is required in patients using sertraline as it has potentially fatal side effects
- The dose of sertraline is titrated periodically. Avoid withdrawing the medicine suddenly without the doctor’s advice.
What are the Uses of Sertraline?
Sertraline tablet is indicated for the following conditions;
- Depression: Serotonin is a hormone responsible for making you feel good. Decreased or altered levels of serotonin in the brain results in depression. Sertraline treats depression by restoring the amounts of serotonin in the brain
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD): Sertraline treats the symptoms of anxiety and fear. It also reduces the severity of the symptoms of anxiety. Sertraline boosts energy levels and improves the moos as well
- PTSD: Sertraline reduces post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in almost 50% of patients. It restores the changes in hormonal levels
- OCD: the sertraline oral tablet is indicated for the obsessive-compulsive disorder as it decreases the urge for repetitive tasks like washing hands, cleaning, etc
- Panic disorder (PD): The number of panic attacks and their severity are treated by sertraline. It also reduces fear, stress, and associated anxiety
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Sertraline is indicated in PMDD as a continuous therapy or is prescribed on premenstrual dosing. The medicine is known to have a significant impact on PMDD when used in the luteal phase
How to use Sertraline Oral?
- Take the tablet as per the prescribed dosing schedule at the recommended dose.
- Take the whole tablet/capsule as such with water
- Sertraline can be taken with or without food
- Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet
- Take the medicine at the same time each day for maximum therapeutic benefits
- Do not stop taking the medicine immediately without the doctor’s advice as it can cause withdrawal symptoms
- Avoid taking the medicine longer than recommended. Prolonged use can cause dependence
- Do not take or stop the medicine without the doctor’s prescription
What is the Recommended dosage of Sertraline Tablet?
Sertraline is initially prescribed in lower doses to evaluate tolerance in patients.
The dosage for different conditions includes;
- Depression: 50mg once daily (OD) initially and titrated up to 200mg OD
- Panic Disorder: 25mg orally per day, titrated up to 200mg OD
- OCD: 50mg orally once daily and titrated up to 200mg once daily
The dose of the antidepressants like sertraline varies depending on the indication it is prescribed for. The dose is titrated weekly depending on the tolerance levels of each patient.
Reduce the dose of the medicine before discontinuing it completely as it can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Consult a psychiatrist before using the Sertraline tablet.
What is the Price of a Sertraline tablet in Pakistan
The price of the sertraline tablet ranges between 70-80 PKR per tablet. The price of the oral tablet varies according to strength, brand, and manufacturer.
What are the Side effects of Sertraline Tablet?
Sertraline is initially prescribed in low doses to evaluate the response and the side effects in patients. The possible side effects while on a Sertraline tablet include;
- Suicidal Behaviour: The use of sertraline can increase suicidal thoughts, especially in young adults and pediatric patients. This effect is most common during the initial stages of the therapy or after a dose change
- Manic Episodes: In patients with bipolar disorder, sertraline can result in increased episodes of mania or hypomania which is an episode of hyperactive or over-excitatory behavior. Patients with a family history of bipolar disorder are at higher risk of developing this side effect
- Serotonin Syndrome: Concurrent use of SSRIs like sertraline and other serotonergic medicines can cause serotonin syndrome. It is reported as changes in mental state, hallucinations, tachycardia, and tremors. This side effect can also occur when sertraline is used alone for a long period of time in higher doses
- Bleeding: Sertraline can increase the risk of bleeding. The risk is further increased when the medicine is used along with NSAIDs like aspirin. The bleeding can be severe resulting in hemorrhage
- Sexual Dysfunction: Certain sexual alterations are reported with the use of sertraline tablets for psychotic illnesses. It decreases libido and sexual desire in a number of patients. Sertraline also affects ejaculation in men resulting in prolonged ejaculation for almost 4 hours. Ejaculation can also become painful
- Cardiovascular: Sertraline causes QT interval prolongation and also affects heart rhythm. The medicine is prescribed with caution in heart patients as it can also cause atrial arrhythmia and bradycardia
- Gastrointestinal: side effects of sertraline associated with GIT include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. The drug can be difficult to digest in some individuals
- Dependence: Sertraline like other antidepressants is a controlled drug as it can result in the development of addiction and dependence with its long-term use. The dependence symptoms are more prominent when the medicine is withdrawn on its own at once.
Other side effects include;
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Sleep pattern changes or somnolence
Some very serious side effects of the use of sertraline are;
- Blood in stool
- Vision changes
- Trouble breathing
What are the Possible Drug Interactions/ Contraindications for Sertraline?
- Coadministration of MAO inhibitors or until 14 days before the discontinuation of MAO inhibitors
- NSAIDs
- Clopidogrel
- Concurrent use of other serotonergic drugs with Sertraline
Does Sertraline Interact with Food?
Avoid grapefruit or Grapefruit juice while on sertraline drug. It results in increased absorption of the medicine resulting in an increased risk of possible side effects.
What are the Precautions for Using Sertraline Tablet?
The following precautions are advised before using sertraline tablets;
- Before using sertraline tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the prescription, OTC, or herbal medicines that you are taking
- Tell your doctor if you have any known allergies or hypersensitivity to the medicine or any of its components, or any other medical condition
- Tell your doctor if you have a family history of bipolar disorder
- Use the medicine with special care in people with epilepsy or seizure disorders
What are the Warnings for Using Sertraline Tablet?
- Use the medicine with caution especially in young adults and children as there is an increased risk of suicidal behavior
- Close monitoring is required for the worsening of behavior in the patients
- Use with caution in patients with bleeding abnormalities as sertraline increases the risk of bleeding
- Do not stop taking it without a doctor’s advice
- Dosage consideration is required in renal and hepatic impairment patients
What can you take Instead of Sertraline?
Other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which can be used as an alternative to sertraline include;
- Fluoxetine
- Paroxetine
- Citalopram
- escitalopram
Can you use Sertraline during Pregnancy?
No FDA-pregnancy category is assigned to sertraline as the clinical data available for the use of the drug in pregnancy is non-conclusive.
Little or no possible harmful effects are reported using sertraline in the first trimester.
During the third trimester, sertraline can cause permanent pulmonary hypertension. Withdrawal symptoms are also reported in neonates.
No clinical data is available for the effect of sertraline on breast milk. Hence, its use in lactating mothers depends on the expected benefits.
What are the effects of Sertraline Overdose?
Do not exceed the recommended dose and the dosing schedule of Sertraline. The medicine is a controlled substance and results in dependence. Overdose can result in;
- Bradycardia
- Hallucinations
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Somnolence and
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
What if you Miss a Sertraline dose?
Try to take the medicine as prescribed as the dosage changes can result in increased risks of side effects. If you miss the dose, try to take it as soon as you remember. If the time of the next dose is near, skip the previous dose and take the next scheduled dose as per the prescription.
How to Store Sertraline Tablet?
- Store the medicine in a cool dry place
- Keep the medicine out of the reach of children
- Keep the medicine away from sunlight
- Keep all the medicines, including controlled substances, out of the reach of the children
Consult a psychiatrist to get a prescription for a sertraline tablet.
FAQs
1. How long does sertraline to work?
Sertraline oral tablet takes almost 6-8 weeks until its effects become visible. Avoid skipping the dose or withdrawing the medicine during this time.
2. Is sertraline a sleeping pill?
Sertraline is primarily an antidepressant. It does not directly treats insomnia but works by improving mood and anxiety. Reported side effects of the medicine include somnolence.
3. Does sertraline cause weight gain?
Antidepressants like sertraline can cause weight gain as the medicine affects the appetite. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating healthy meals can help prevent weight gain associated with the use of sertraline.