Sertraline is used to treat depression.
This medicine is also used to treat anxiety-related disorders such as social anxiety disorder (fear of social situations), panic disorder with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause a feeling of being trapped, helpless, or embarrassed, posttraumatic stress disorder (a condition that occurs after experiencing or witnessing a very traumatic event), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (a condition in women characterised by severe depression, irritability and tension that occurs before menstruation).
Sertraline may also used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD (a disorder characterised by an uncontrollable urge to do repetitive and ritualised behaviours) in adults and children.
Take Sertraline exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time every day.
Sertraline is available as a tablet, capsule, or oral solution.
If you have been given the oral solution, use the dropper supplied with each bottle to measure your dose. Before taking the oral solution, mix it with about 120 mL of water, orange juice, lemonade, ginger ale, or lemon/lime soda. Once mixed, drink it immediately. The mixture may appear slightly cloudy or hazy which is normal.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Sertraline must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Sertraline with medicines used to treat depression known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), certain medicines used for mood disorders, blood disorder, and a certain antibiotic. Please see the section "Can I take it with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- personal or family history of other mood disorders e.g. bipolar disorder (mental condition that causes extreme mood changes between feeling very high [mania] and very low [depression])
- epilepsy (fits or seizures) or predisposing conditions to fits or seizures e.g. head injury, brain damage, alcoholism
- heart disease
- current or history of heart rhythm disorder e.g. slow heartbeat, congenital long QT syndrome (an inherited disease causing abnormally fast and erratic heartbeats)
- history of bleeding problems
- diabetes
- low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood
- low blood volume circulating in the body
- glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Sertraline to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. urine test for a drug class known as benzodiazepines), inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
Medicines for depression such as Sertraline may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. As depression and some psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with an increased risk of suicide, it is important for you or your family members to monitor your condition, especially at the start of treatment and if your dosage is still being adjusted. If you experience new or sudden changes in mood, behaviour, thoughts or feelings or a worsening of your depression with suicidal thoughts or attempts, harm to self or harm to others, contact your doctor immediately.
Some genetic traits can affect this medicine's efficacy and may cause side effects. Individuals who are poor metabolisers of CYP2C19 and CYP2B6 may experience enhanced side effects and may require dose adjustments. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to undergo genetic testing to check if Sertraline is best suited for you. If you know you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. blood sodium levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have this test.
- Your doctor may need to check the height and weight of your children treated for OCD regularly.
- Regular monitoring for signs of depression and unusual changes in mood or behaviour may also be needed.
What lifestyle changes should I make to cope with depression?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help increase energy and hormones in the body such as serotonin, endorphins and other feel-good chemicals that minimise mood swings. Get enough sleep, as lack of sleep may cause irritability, moodiness, sadness, and tiredness.
Sertraline may cause drowsiness and may impair your mental or physical ability to perform certain tasks. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, dizziness, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, dry mouth, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, indigestion, decreased or increased appetite, yawning, ringing in the ears, back pain, joint or muscle pain, difficulty sleeping, hot flush, tremors, and numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- having thoughts of self-harm
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- fits or seizures
- agitation, confusion, hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent), fever, fast heartbeat, excessive sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms
- feeling restless, difficulty or inability to remain still
- irregular or abnormal heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath
- pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- changes in vision, eye pain, swelling or redness in or around the eye
- changes in sex drive, delayed or inability to have orgasm, erection problems
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Sertraline if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Do not take this medicine with the following medicines:
- pimozide (medicine for mood disorders)
- linezolid (an antibiotic)
- injectable methylthioninium chloride (medicine for certain blood disorder)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline, nefazodone, desipramine
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. lithium, chlorpromazine, ziprasidone, droperidol
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine procainamide, amiodarone, propafenone
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen
- medicines for migraine e.g. sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital
- strong painkillers e.g. fentanyl, tramadol
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine
- medicines to treat fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin, moxifloxacin
- medicines for malaria (a disease characterised by chills, fever and sweating that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito) e.g. halofantrine, mefloquine
- tacrolimus (medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders)
- St John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Sertraline.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the dizziness and drowsiness caused by Sertraline.
Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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