Sertraline Tablets

• Depression and prevention of recurrence of depression (in adults).
• Social anxiety disorder (in adults).
• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (in adults).
• Panic disorder (in adults).
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) (in adults and children and adolescents aged 6-17 years old).

How does it work?

• Sertraline contains an antidepressant drug called an SSRI. It increases the amount of a chemical (serotonin) in the brain which is known to be lowered in depression.

When and how do I take it?

• Sertraline tablets may be taken with or without food.
• Take your medication once daily either in the morning or evening.

What’s the dose?

Adults:

Depression and Obssessive Compulsive Disorder:

• For depression and OCD, the usual effective dose is 50 mg/day. The daily dose may be increased in 50 mg increments and at intervals of at least one week over a period of weeks. The maximum recommended dose is 200 mg/day.

Panic disorder, Social anxiety disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:

• For panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress disorder, treatment should be started at 25 mg/day, and increased to 50 mg/day after one week.
• The daily dose then may be increased in 50 mg increments over a period of weeks. The maximum recommended dose is 200 mg/day.

Children and adolescents:

Sertraline must only be used to treat children and adolescents suffering from OCD aged 6-17 years old.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:

• Children aged 6 to 12: the recommended starting dose is 25 mg daily.
• After one week, your doctor may increase this to 50 mg daily. The maximum dose is 200 mg daily.
• Adolescents aged 13 to 17: the recommended starting dose is 50 mg daily.
• The maximum dose is 200 mg daily.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Taking Depreger together with the following medicines may cause serious side effects:

• • Medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), like moclobemide (to treat depression) and selegiline (to treat Parkinson’s disease) and the antibiotic linezolid. Do not use Lustral together with MAOIs.
• • Medicines to treat mental disorders (pimozide). Do not use Depreger together with pimozide.

Talk to your doctor if you are taking the following medicine:

• Herbal medicine containing St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). The effects of St. John’s Wort may last for 1-2 weeks. Talk to your doctor.
• Products containing the amino acid tryptophan.
• Medicines to treat severe pain (e.g. tramadol).
• Medicines to treat migraines (e.g. sumatriptan).
• Blood thinning medicine (warfarin).
• Medicines to treat pain/arthritis (Non steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).
• Sedatives (diazepam).
• Diueretics.
• Medicines to treat epilepsy (phenytoin).
• Medicines to treat diabetes (tolbutamide).
• Medicines to treat excessive stomach acid and ulcers (cimetidine).
• Medicines to treat mania and depression (lithium).
• Other medicines to treat depression (such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline).
• Medicines to treat schizophrenia and other mental disorders (such as perphenazine, levomepromazine and olanzapine).

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Nausea is the most common side effect. The side effects depend on the dose and are often transient with continued treatment.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after taking this medicine, these symptoms can be serious.

• If you develop a severe skin rash that causes blistering (erythema multiforme), (this can affect the mouth and tongue). These may be signs of a condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Your doctor will stop your treatment in these cases.
• Allergic reaction or allergy, which may include symptoms such as an itchy skin rash, breathing problems, wheezing, swollen eyelids, face or lips.
• If you experience agitation, confusion, diarrhoea, high temperature and blood pressure, excessive sweating and rapid heartbeat. These are symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome. In rare cases this syndrome may occur when you are taking certain medicines at the same time as sertraline. Your doctor may wish to stop your treatment.
• If you develop yellow skin and eyes which may mean liver damage.
• If you experience depressive symptoms with suicidal ideas.
• If you start to get feelings of restlessness and not be able to sit or stand still after you start to take Lustral. You should tell your doctor if you start to feel restless.

The following side effects were seen in clinical trials in adults.

Very common side effects (occurs in more than 1 out of 10 patients):

• Insomnia
• dizziness
• sleepiness
• headache
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick
• dry mouth
• ejaculation failure
• fatigue

Common side effects (occurs in between 1 and 10 out of 100 patients):

• Sore throat
• anorexia
• increased appetite
• depression
• feeling strange
• nightmare
• anxiety
• agitation
• nervousness
• decreased sexual interest
• teeth grinding
• numbness and tingling
• shaking
• muscle tense
• abnormal taste
• lack of attention
• visual disturbance
• ringing in ears
• palpitations
• hot flush
• yawning
• abdominal pain
• vomiting
• constipation
• upset stomach
• gas
• rash
• increased sweating
• muscle pain
• sexual dysfunction
• erectile dysfunction
• chest pain

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• You should avoid alcohol while taking Sertraline.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

Sertraline cannot be used during pregnancy or while breast feeding. Women of child bearing potential should employ an adequate method of contraception if taking Sertraline.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

http://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/2121168.PPA1328_085_001.1ffec01a-dd92-4690-8890-c761e13d7252.000001PIL.131219.pdf

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/depression/a7045/lustral-sertraline/

http://patient.info/forums/discuss/i-have-been-on-lustral-for-a-year-i-felt-ghastly-at-fi--728

http://patient.info/medicine/sertraline-lustral

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sertraline

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.2362.latest.pdf