Sertraline tablets
Sertraline tablets
What is this medicine?
SERTRALINE (SER tra leen) is used to treat depression. It may also be used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-trauma stress, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or social anxiety.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly except upon the advice of your doctor. Stopping this medicine too quickly may cause serious side effects or your condition may worsen.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 7 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
anxious
black, tarry stools
changes in vision
confusion
elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior
eye pain
fast, irregular heartbeat
feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
feeling agitated, angry, or irritable
hallucination, loss of contact with reality
loss of balance or coordination
loss of memory
painful or prolonged erections
restlessness, pacing, inability to keep still
seizures
stiff muscles
suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
trouble sleeping
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusually weak or tired
vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
change in appetite or weight
change in sex drive or performance
diarrhea
increased sweating
indigestion, nausea
tremors
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
cisapride
dofetilide
dronedarone
linezolid
MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
methylene blue (injected into a vein)
pimozide
thioridazine
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
alcohol
amphetamines
aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
certain medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole, fluconazole, posaconazole, and itraconazole
certain medicines for irregular heart beat like flecainide, quinidine, propafenone
certain medicines for migraine headaches like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
certain medicines for sleep
certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, valproic acid, phenytoin
certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, dalteparin
cimetidine
digoxin
diuretics
fentanyl
isoniazid
lithium
NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
rasagiline
safinamide
supplements like St. John's wort, kava kava, valerian
tolbutamide
tramadol
tryptophan
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
bleeding disorders
bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder
glaucoma
heart disease
high blood pressure
history of irregular heartbeat
history of low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in the blood
if you often drink alcohol
liver disease
receiving electroconvulsive therapy
seizures
suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
take medicines that treat or prevent blood clots
thyroid disease
an unusual or allergic reaction to sertraline, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medicine, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your doctor.
Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
Updated:  
July 17, 2018