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Sertraline
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About sertraline
| Type of medicine | Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) |
| Used for | Depression Obsessive-compulsive disorder (an urge to continually repeat the same action) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women |
| Also called | Lustral® |
| Available as | Tablets |
Certain chemicals in our brain control how we feel. It is thought that low levels of a chemical called serotonin can lead to depression and other related conditions. Sertraline works by helping to regulate serotonin levels in our body, easing the symptoms.
Before taking sertraline
Before taking sertraline make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you suffer from heart, liver or kidney problems.
- If you are under 18 years of age.
- If you suffer from glaucoma, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or a bleeding disorder.
- If you are being treated with ECT (electroconvulsive therapy).
- If you have suffered from manic depressive illness.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
- If you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
How to take sertraline
- Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible before beginning treatment.
- Take sertraline exactly as directed by your doctor.
- Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water.
- Try to take sertraline at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses. If you do miss a dose, don't worry just take the next dose when it is due. Never take two doses together.
- You may have to take sertraline for several weeks before you feel the full effect.
- Do not stop taking sertraline without speaking to your doctor first. Your doctor will want to reduce your dose gradually as stopping suddenly can cause problems.
- Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of sertraline contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Where possible take the container with you, even if it is empty.
- This medicine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Getting the most from your treatment
- Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside sertraline.
- Keep your regular appointments with your doctor.
- Sertraline may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than it usually is. Avoid sunbeds and try to avoid sunlight or use a suncream higher than factor 15 until you know how your skin reacts.
Can sertraline cause problems
Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine | What can I do if I experience this |
| Drowsiness and dizziness | Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert |
| Dry mouth | Try chewing sugar-free gum, sucking sugar-free sweets or pieces of ice. If dry mouth becomes a problem speak with your doctor or pharmacist |
| Feeling or being sick, indigestion, diarrhoea | Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast and drink plenty of water to replace any lost fluids |
| Sweating | Take care not to become overheated during exercise or hot weather |
Other less common side-effects include: constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, nervousness, anxiety (worry), headache, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), shakiness, weakness, seeing things that aren't real, breast or sexual problems, uncontrolled movements, visual problems, a fast or fluttering heartbeat, confusion, forgetfulness, aggressive behaviour, irregular menstrual periods or pins and needles.
Important: If you experience severe drowsiness or convulsions (fits), any unusual bleeding or bruising, blackened stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), skin rash, or swelling of the mouth and tongue then contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once.
Important: Tell your doctor if you have thoughts of harming yourself.
How to store sertraline
- Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- British National Formulary; 54th Edition (September 2007) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).
- Manufacturer's PIL, Lustral®, Pfizer Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. October 2007, accessed 10 December 2007.
- Manufacturer's PIL, Sertraline 50 mg or 100 mg, Wockhardt UK Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. October 2005, accessed 10 December 2007.
| © EMIS 2008 | DocID: 3430 |
DocRef: dils2541 |
Last Updated: 28 Jan 2008 |
Date of Next Review: 27 Jan 2010 |
Version: 22 |
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