Sertraline

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed sertraline for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The term “labeled use” refers to the administration of a drug for its authorized uses. However, in actual practice, doctors frequently prescribe drugs for unlabeled (or “off label”) applications when the effectiveness is supported by published clinical research, case reports, or their own clinical experiences and the security of such medical procedures. Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the mental conditions that Sertraline can be used to treat.

A serotonin-specific drug called Sertraline increases the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain by preventing its absorption back into brain cells. Depression as well as additional mental illnesses could be brought on by unusually low serotonin levels. Affected brain regions may undergo modifications as a result of this anomaly, giving rise to psychological symptoms like anxiety or sadness. The assumed behavior Serotonin levels are raised by Sertraline and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which may aid in returning some brain regions to normal function.

 Recommended dose 

The recommended initial dosage of Sertraline for depression is typically 50 mg once day, ideally taken in the morning. Elderly adults and those with serious or persistent medical conditions might need to start with a lower dosage of 25 mg once day. The typical initial daily dosage for those with anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder, is also 25 mg. The dosage of Sertraline may be raised by 50 mg at a time up to 200 mg at a time if improvement is not shown within a period of 3–4 weeks. Doses used to treat depression are often lower than those used to treat other mental diseases. There is a liquid version of Sertraline available for those who are unable to swallow tablets. It might take up to 2-4 weeks for the majority of people to feel the full benefits of the medicine. The length of a person’s pharmaceutical therapy is determined by their family history and own psychiatric history.

For example, those with two or more prior bouts of severe depressive illness will require a lengthier course of drug therapy. After the majority of patients’ depression improves with therapy, the medicine may be taken off after six months. A tiny portion of patients, will experience depression symptoms even after their antidepressant dosage is lowered or stopped. For a year or more, these people could benefit from continuing to take Sertraline.

Common side effects associated with sertraline administration

The gastrointestinal disturbances associated with Sertraline mainly nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, or loose stools are the most commonly reported adverse effects. Aside from jitters and anxiety, other often mentioned adverse effects include difficulty sleeping. On rare occasions, people may feel drowsy, sweat excessively, and have headaches. Male and female sexual dysfunction can be brought on by Sertraline. Men’s and women’s delayed ejaculation and delayed orgasm are the reported sexual adverse effects. Some persons could feel less interested in engaging in sexual activities or have less desire to do so. However, compared to Prozac or Paxil, the negative effects of Sertraline on sexual function are often less common.

patients could feel less interested in sexual activities or have less desire. the undesired effects of Sertraline on sexual function are often less common compared to sertraline. Patients should talk to their doctor about these adverse effects particularly if they persist 2-4 weeks after starting treatment. I appear patients should call their doctor right once if there is any serous events.

 Precautions taken while Sertraline administration

Some people may become sleepy when taking Sertraline. patients should refrain from using machinery or driving till they are certain that sertraline does not affect their attention. Individuals who have a documented allergy to Sertraline or who have taken the medication and had a serious side effect shouldn’t use Sertraline. Major depressive disorder may often be effectively treated with medication, psychotherapy, or both. When treating moderate to severe depression the combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants is particularly successful. While treatment builds coping skills, the drugs enhance mood, appetite, sleep, energy, and overall health addresses any potential underlying problems and enhances behavior and mental habits.

majority of those who take antidepressants on their own report feeling better overall. Most people do not see major advantages from their antidepressants until around 3–4 weeks and it can occasionally take up to 8 weeks for the medicine to show its full effects. However, minority may notice some improvement before the end of the first week. Therefore, it’s imperative that patients take their antidepressants for the whole recommended amount of time and that they don’t give up and stop taking them too soon if they don’t start feeling better right away.

Antidepressants have been shown in short-term trials to raise the likelihood of suicide thoughts and actions in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder and other mental diseases. When initiating antidepressant medication in children and adolescents, the FDA mandates that the doctor disclose this risk. The FDA found that there is an age-related risk of suicide thoughts and actions when using antidepressants. This occurrence is more likely to happen early in the course of therapy and is more common in younger populations. Antidepressant use did not seem to be associated with a higher incidence of suicidality in people over the age of 24, as compared to placebo use. The results demonstrated that antidepressants protected against suicide thoughts and actions in people over the age of 65.

Suicide risk is a part of depression and may not go away until the patient responds to therapy. The patient, particularly a child or teenager, should be constantly monitored for worsening indications of depression after beginning or altering antidepressant therapy, and the family or caregiver should report any concerns to the doctor.

If you have suicidal thoughts, you should always tell your doctor or your family. Notify your family doctor or psychiatrist if you feel like you can’t control your suicide thoughts or desires or if your depression symptoms get worse.

•  Don’t stop taking Sertraline suddenly. It is best to reduce your dosage gradually to avoid the symptoms of abrupt withdrawal. If you forget to take a dosage, make sure to catch up by taking it two to three hours later than usual. If the next planned dosage is approaching, omit the missed dose and go on with your usual dosing regimen.
•  Avoid taking two doses at once.
• You can take Sertraline with or without meals. Keep the medication out of direct sunlight and dampness in the light-resistant container that came with it. Your drug may break down more quickly in hot and humid environments, losing its therapeutic benefits.
• Make sure kids can’t get to your medicine.

 the effect of sertraline on pregnancy and lactation

Sertraline is pregnancy category C. The safety of Sertraline during pregnancy has not been investigated in female subjects. It is uncertain how the drug will affect the growing fetus in expectant mothers. However, difficulties necessitating extended hospital stays were seen in newborns exposed to antidepressants such SSRIs late in the third trimester, including respiratory assistance as well as tube feeding. Women who are or may become pregnant should talk to their doctor about this. When they stop taking their antidepressant, some women may have a relapse of depression. In these In certain situations, it can be essential to resume taking the medicine or look for a different kind of drug or treatment.

Sertraline should not be given to nursing women since minute quantities may enter the breast milk and be consumed by the unborn child. Breastfeeding should not begin or should be halted if quitting the antidepressant is not an option.

 Possible drug interactions associated with Sertraline administration

Because one medicine may change the other’s blood levels, using Sertraline with some other drugs may have unfavorable drug interactions. The anticoagulant effect of Coumadin may be enhanced by Sertraline, hence elevating the risk of bleeding. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): Sertraline may raise the concentrations and potentially harmful levels of TCAs, particularly imipramine. (cimetidine) may raise Sertraline levels and raise the possibility of adverse consequences.

When used with sertraline, other drugs that increase serotonin, such as herbal supplements like St. John’s wort may cause an excess of that neurotransmitter and cause serotonin syndrome which is a fatal condition. Serotonin syndrome’s initial symptoms include tremors, flushing, restlessness, and confusion and uncontrollably jerking muscles. If the drugs are not discontinued, the patient may experience further potentially fatal side effects such as muscular weakness, a high fever, breathing issues, blood clotting issues, and red blood cell decomposition, which might result in abrupt renal failure. Therefore, those on sertraline should be aware of the potential symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which call for stopping the serotonin-boosting drugs and seeking quick medical assistance.  

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), a class of antidepressants, should not be used with sertraline, as a result of the possibility of a toxic response with a spike in body temperature, a rise in blood pressure, and intense excitement and agitation. It is recommended that patients contact with their doctor or pharmacist prior to starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements Using sertraline. Alcohol should be avoided or used in moderation by patients on sertraline since the combination may make depression worse.

What happens when you take an overdose of Sertraline

Similar to other SSRIs, Sertraline is far less dangerous in an overdose than some of the more recent antidepressants and the older TCAs. There are no documented deaths from Sertraline overdoses on its own. But deadly consequences have been reported when using Sertraline together with other prescription drugs. Treating any suspected overdose as an emergency is imperative. The individual has to be brought to the emergency space for care and observation. It is advisable to include both the prescription bottle of medication and any other medication suspected in the overdose, since the information on the label can be useful in helping the treating physician figure out how many tablets the patient has taken.