Sertraline
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Sertraline, aka Zoloft, is a medication commonly prescribed to manage mental health conditions
including; depression and anxiety disorders. These medications are effective in controlling your
symptoms, providing you use them correctly. So, you will need to know...
• How and when should you take your Sertraline • How long does it take for the medication
to working? • How long will
you need to take my medication? • Are there any side effects?
Today, we will be answering the most frequent questions about your medication.
Introduction
My name is Dr Hart-Pinto. At JHP medical we make weekly information videos. If you
like what you see here, why not subscribe, and share this channel with your friends and family.
What is Sertraline?
Sertraline, sometimes prescribed under the commercial name Zoloft,
belongs to a group of medications called Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors, SSRIs.
They work by increasing the levels of serotonin available within your brain.
SSRIs are licensed to treat a host of mental health conditions,
including depression, and anxiety disorders, such as, OCD, panic disorder and PTSD.
Sertraline is only available on prescription from your doctor. This medication can be used in adults
and children from the age of 6 years. However, use in children is limited to the management of OCD.
Who should not take Sertraline?
It is best to speak with your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
• You have had a previous allergic reaction. • Are pregnant, attempting to get pregnant,
or breastfeeding • Epileptic as sertraline
can increase your likelihood of having a seizure • Suffer from a heart condition, as Sertraline
can cause your heart to beat faster • Suffer from glaucoma. Here sertraline
can increase the pressure within your eye making your glaucoma worse.
Additionally, amongst diabetic patients, sertraline can make blood sugars more difficult to
control. You may therefore need closer monitoring and adjustments made to your existing medication.
Is it safe to take Sertraline with my current medications?
Sertraline can interact with other medications, which may lead to undesired effects.
The two types of medications we need to be aware of are:
1. Heart medications – this is because sertraline
can increase the rate of your heart. 2. Other medications for depression,
including the herbal remedy St Johns Wort 1. Combining these medications
can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome. In its worse form serotonin syndrome can lead to
death if not correctly identified and treated. A recent safety update for SSRI antidepressants
has highlighted that these medications can increase the risk of bleeding.
Therefore, sertraline should be used with caution in patients taking:
1. blood-thinning medications, 2. Those with disorders of blood clotting
3. And in pregnant ladies close to delivery due to the risk of bleeding after labour.
What is the correct dose of Sertraline?
The usual starting dose for most adults is 50 mg taken once a day.
However, smaller dosing is used in children and adults with co-existing liver disorders.
Usually, your doctor will review your progress and consider titrating your
medication to achieve the desired effects. The maximum licenced dose for sertraline is 200mg.
How long does Sertraline take to work?
It can take 1-2 weeks before you start to notice an improvement in your symptoms,
with sertraline taking 4-6 weeks to reach its maximum effect.
Some people will feel slightly worse when initiating this medication.
Persevere, and you should start to see the benefits.
Please do not stop your medication without consulting your doctor.
How to take Sertraline
Take your sertraline once daily in the morning. This medication can be taken with or without food.
Whilst you can take this medication any time of the day, many find it best to stick to a
morning routine, as taking it late at night may affect your sleep. Most importantly,
make sure you take it at the same time every day.
Are there any foods I should avoid?
It is best to avoid grapefruit when taking sertraline.
Grapefruit juice can inhibit your bodies natural ability to break down your medication.
Which may result in higher levels of sertraline staying in your body for longer.
Can I Drink Alcohol with this medication?
It is safe to take Alcohol with Sertraline,
but it can make you feel drowsier. Recreational drug use is not advised.
I have missed my dose. What should I do?
If you forget to take a single dose of sertraline, don’t worry.
Skip the missed dose. Remember to take your next dose at the regular time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
I have accidentally taken too much medication.
If you have taken too much of this medication you should speak with an emergency doctor.
Overdose of this Sertraline can cause symptoms of: • Nausea and vomiting
• Drowsiness, dizziness • Shaking, or fast heart rate
• And in more severe cases can lead to loss of consciousness and even seizures.
How long will I need to take my medication?
Its usually recommended taking sertraline for at least 6 months
after your symptoms have improved. Symptoms may return when you stop your medication.
It is important to speak with your doctor when stopping this medication. Stopping too
quickly may result in symptoms of withdrawal. It is advisable to gradually reduce your dose
over 4 weeks. Longer periods are required for individuals experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Are there any side effects?
The majority of those taking sertraline will not experience any side effects. However some
may experience a worsening in their depression or anxiety when initiating this medication,
nut this should improve as you continue your treatment.
For those who experience side effects the most common are:
• Nausea, dry mouth, diarrhoea • Feeling weak, drowsy, dizzy, and headaches
• Some may experience insomnia. • And, Sexual dysfunction
Rare but concerning side effects can occur. If they do, please seek immediate medical assessment.
• Allergic reactions • Chest pains, or shortness of breath
• Dizziness, confusion, or loss of consciousness • Painful erections lasting more than 4 hours
• Liver damage is indicated by a yellowing of the skin, or eyes.
• Unstoppable bleeding including nosebleeds, cuts, bruising and blood in your vomit, sputum,
urine or poo • Low salt levels.
o Signs of low salt include; confusion, headaches, unsteadiness, weakness and even seizures.
• Serotonin syndrome o Too much serotonin in your body can cause:
 Confusion, increased agitation, fast heart rate, and muscle twitching
 Excessive sweating  Nausea, vomiting and Diarrhoea
 High temperatures, loss of consciousness and seizures.
Conclusion
I hope this video has supplied the answers you were looking for.
Outro Of course, this
video does not provide individual medical advice and is intended for informational purposes only.
Do not consider this as a substitute for professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment. Please do not ignore professional
medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have heard here.
If you believe you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or ambulance service.