Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI. Other medications in this class include fluoxetine Prozac and paroxetine Paxil. Approved by the FDA in for use treating major depressive disorder MDD , sertraline works by increasing the level of serotonin, a major neurotransmitter, in your brain. By increasing serotonin levels, sertraline can help to prevent panic attacks, improve your general mood and stop some obsessive compulsive behaviors.
People with social anxiety disorder also notice benefits from using sertraline, as it can help with some symptoms of anxiety. Sertraline is also associated with increases in ejaculation latency longer ejaculation time in men with premature ejaculation and is prescribed off-label to help with that.
Available in tablet form, sertraline is designed for use everyday. For most people, sertraline take a few weeks to start working effectively. However, many people who use sertraline notice benefits shortly after starting the medication. When used off-label to treat premature ejaculation, studies suggest it can be used on an as-needed basis. Sertraline is an antidepressant and is often prescribed as a treatment for major depressive disorder MDD. Studies show that significantly more people affected by depression recover when using sertraline compared to a non-therapeutic placebo.
Sertraline is an effective drug for treating OCD. In a study , researchers found that people with OCD experienced measurable improvements after eight weeks of treatment using sertraline. Sertraline is frequently recommended as a first-line pharmacological treatment for PTSD. A scientific review found that Sertraline is one of several SSRIs used to treat body dysmorphic disorder , a common disorder that causes people to obsessively think negatively about their real or imagined physical flaws.
Studies show that sertraline is an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder. In a study , researchers found that sertraline performed significantly better than a non-therapeutic placebo in reducing social anxiety symptoms. Premature Ejaculation. Although sertraline was not originally developed as a treatment for premature ejaculation, studies show that it can increase ejaculation latency average time until ejaculation in men affected by premature ejaculation.
Sertraline usually comes in tablet form. There are three different sertraline dosage forms—a 25mg tablet, a 50mg tablet and a mg tablet. Sertraline is also available as an oral solution, typically with a 20mg per mL concentration.
Most of the time, doctors prescribe a starting dosage of 50mg per day to treat depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, PTSD and several other conditions. Zoloft sertraline HCI prescribing information.
Updated December Antidepressant drugs and breastfeeding: A review of the literature. Breastfeed Med. The pharmacokinetics of sertraline in overdose and the effect of activated charcoal.
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Related Articles. The 5 Most Used Antidepressants. It can take several weeks before a person feels any effects of sertraline. People should not stop taking the drug without speaking to a doctor, even if they are feeling better.
This may mean that the drug is working, and missing a dose can result in a return of symptoms. Side effects can vary from person to person. Talk to a healthcare provider if severe side effects occur or if any side effects do not go away. These side effects usually go away after the first week or two.
However, sexual dysfunction often does not reduce over time. The package insert for Zoloft states that it and other antidepressants can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in people aged 24 years or younger. Pay close attention to any new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, and speak to a healthcare provider about these changes. In children, sertraline can cause a loss of weight and appetite. The pediatrician will likely monitor their weight. Whenever possible, a person should come off sertraline gradually.
Stopping the dosage suddenly can cause the following side effects:. Sertraline contains a warning for children, teens, and adults under 24 years of age. Parents and caregivers should make doctors aware of any family history of suicide. It is also important to recognize possible signs of suicidal thoughts or actions. Adults can also experience suicidal thoughts in the first month or two of taking sertraline, as well as when the doctor increases the dosage.
In addition, it is important to pay close attention to side effects. If any are severe or do not go away, talk to a doctor. People using sertraline may test positive on certain drug tests. Before taking a drug test, ask a healthcare professional for advice. When first taking sertraline, avoid using heavy machinery or driving immediately after a dose, until it becomes clear how the body will react.
Some people continue to experience dizziness, tiredness, or other effects that can impair judgment after doses. Certain medications can interact with sertraline. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Sertraline has been linked to a very small increased risk of problems for your unborn baby.
But if your depression is not treated during pregnancy, this can also increase the chance of problems. You may take sertraline during pregnancy if you need it to remain well. Your doctor can explain the risks and the benefits, and will help you decide which treatment is best for you and your baby. If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, sertraline is one of the preferred antidepressants to take when breastfeeding. It has been used by many breastfeeding mothers without any problems.
Sertraline passes into breast milk in tiny amounts and has been linked with side effects in a very few breastfed babies. But it's important to continue taking sertraline to keep you well.
Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby. If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual or seems unusually sleepy, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor or doctor as soon as possible.
For more information about how sertraline can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read the leaflet about the best use of medicines in pregnancy BUMPS. Some medicines and sertraline can interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects. Do not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you're being treated with sertraline as this will increase your risk of side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Sertraline is one of a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These medicines are thought to work by increasing the levels of a mood-enhancing chemical called serotonin in the brain.
Antidepressants like sertraline help to jump start your mood so you feel better. You may notice that you sleep better and get on with people more easily because you're less anxious. You'll hopefully take in your stride little things that used to worry you. Sertraline will not change your personality or make you feel euphorically happy.
It'll simply help you feel like yourself again. Do not expect to feel better overnight, though. Some people feel worse during the first few weeks of treatment before they begin to feel better. You may see an improvement in your symptoms after 1 or 2 weeks, although it usually takes between 4 to 6 weeks before you feel the full benefits.
That's because it takes around a week for sertraline levels to build up in your body, and then a few weeks longer for your body to adapt and get used to it. Do not stop taking sertraline just because you feel it is not helping your symptoms. Give the medicine at least 6 weeks to work. If you have been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest coming off sertraline. Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks, or longer if you have been taking sertraline for a long time.
This is to help prevent any extra side effects you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine. Do not stop taking sertraline suddenly, or without talking to your doctor first.
Once you're feeling better it's likely that you'll continue to take sertraline for several more months. Most doctors recommend that you take antidepressants for 6 months to a year after you no longer feel depressed. A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive.
In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you are worried. Taking sertraline for more than a year has also been linked to a small increased risk of getting diabetes. You'll be regularly checked for this.
Sertraline is not any better or worse than other antidepressants. Sometimes people respond better to one antidepressant than another. Sertraline can make you feel more or less hungry than usual, so you may lose or gain weight when you start taking it. If you start to have problems with your weight while taking sertraline, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Sertraline will not affect any type of contraception, including the contraceptive pill or emergency contraception.
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