Sertraline tablets
What do sertraline tablets do?
SERTRALINE (Zoloft(R)) is an antidepressant. It helps to improve a depressed person's mood. Sertraline can also help people with an obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, post-trauma stress, or social anxiety. Sertraline may also be prescribed for other purposes, like premenstrual syndrome. Generic sertraline tablets are available.
What should my health care professional know before I take sertraline?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• diabetes
• heart disease
• liver disease
• receiving electroconvulsive therapy
• seizures (convulsions)
• suicidal thoughts
• an unusual or allergic reaction to sertraline, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take sertraline tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. You may take sertraline with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
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, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.
What other medicines can interact with sertraline?
Sertraline has the potential to interact with a variety of medications, check with your healthcare professional. The following list contains some of these interactions.
Do not take sertraline with any of the following medications:
• astemizole (Hismanal(R))
• cisapride (Propulsid(R))
• pimozide (Orap(R))
• terfenadine (Seldane(R))
• thioridazine (Mellaril(R))
• medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil(R)), tranylcypromine (Parnate(R)), isocarboxazid (Marplan(R)), selegiline (Eldepryl(R))
Sertraline may also interact with the following medications:
• carbamazepine
• certain migraine headache medicines (naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
• cimetidine
• dextromethorphan
• diazepam
• dofetilide
• furazolidone
• linezolid
• molindone
• other medicines for mental depression, mania, anxiety, psychosis or difficulty sleeping
• phenobarbital
• procarbazine
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• rifapentine
• selegiline
• St. John's wort
• tolbutamide
• tramadol
• warfarin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking sertraline?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• fast heart rate, palpitations
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are out of control
• skin rash, itching (hives)
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• agitation or restlessness
• blurred vision
• constipation (less common) or diarrhea (more common)
• difficulty sleeping
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• flushing (redness of skin)
• headache
• indigestion, nausea
• increased or decreased appetite
• increased sweating
• intestinal gas
• sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire)
• tremor (shaking)