Sertraline

Can sertraline cause harmful side effects

Sertraline is an antidepressant medication that is prescribed to treat a number of mental disorders. Sertraline is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder. Sertraline is also used to treat symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Common sertraline medicines include Zoloft, Eleva, Sertra, APO – Sertraline, Sertraline Sandoz and Setrona.

As a general rule sertraline is well tolerated and most patients take sertraline without issue and achieve significant benefits.

How does sertraline work?

Sertraline belongs to a class of antidepressants called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (link to SSRI blog), where it works therapeutically to increase the amount of serotonin released in the brain. Serotonin allows the brain to maintain mental balance, where the increase of serotonin can improve the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

How do you take sertraline?

Sertraline is usually taken once daily, either in the morning or evening, orally via tablet or in liquid concentrate form. In liquid concentrate form, sertraline must be diluted with water before being taken.

Who can take sertraline?

Sertraline can be used to treat a variety of mental conditions such as depression (link to other depression related blogs when written), however there are several precautions you must take before considering sertraline. It can cause different side effects and potential harmful effects in different groups of people.

Existing Physical health conditions

Those with existing health conditions increase the risk of potentially harmful side effects and conditions. Certain health conditions include glaucoma, seizures, kidney problems and liver problems present in those who take sertraline can increase the risk of dangerous side effects such as serotonin syndrome, manic episodes and decreased organ function.

Pregnant women

Taking sertraline may have adverse effects on the fetus during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, please consult your doctor or healthcare professional before taking any antidepressant. Women who are nursing children may also pass the drug through their breast milk to their children, which can cause side effects.

Seniors

Advanced age and decreased kidney and liver function increases the risk of harmful physical side effects in those seniors taking sertraline. Those aged over 65 years are at a higher risk of developing muscle problems due to low sodium levels.

Children

Effects of sertraline have not been extensively studied in children for the multiple conditions that the drug is designed to treat. It has only been studied for children with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Sertraline should not be used for children younger than 6 years old.

Dosage levels

Dosage levels vary depending on the condition that sertraline is treating and the age of the person taking it. Other factors will be considered by your doctor or healthcare professional including other medications and physical and mental health history.

How to order sertraline through Chemist2U

As sertraline is an antidepressant prescription medicine, you must have a valid prescription from a registered medical care professional to take the drug. You can get your prescription through an in-person consultation or an online consultation. In the event you are unable to see your own GP; through our partners at InstantScripts, you can book an online consultation with a qualified health care professional to provide you information on sertraline and other antidepressants.

 

Once you have your prescription, you can order your prescription of sertraline delivered directly to your door. Simply upload your eScript or a scan of your paper script to Chemist2U. You can expect your delivery the same day, except if the order is received after the cut off in your area, in which case it will be delivered the next day (orders received after the cut off on a Saturday are delivered Monday).

 

Chemist2U saves your eScripts within your profile, which means that when it’s time to refill, you have the option for Chemist2U to deliver your refill to your door.

 

You can also easily manage and order your prescription medication using Chemist2U’s free ScriptTracker.

Side effects of sertraline

Sertraline may cause a number of side effects many of which are present initially and then pass. These include:

• Headache
• Insomnia
• Nausea, loss of appetite, indigestion
• Increased sweating
• Sexual problems, decreased sex drive or failure to ejaculate
• Tremor or shaking
• Fatigue and drowsiness
• Agitation

Side effects in children taking sertraline may differ, these can include:

• Abnormal increase in muscle movements
• Nose bleeds
• Frequent urination
• Urine leakage
• Aggressiveness
• Heavy Menstrual periods
• Slowed growth rate and weight change. If your child is prescribed with Sertraline, make sure to closely monitor your child’s height and weight.

Severe side effects of sertraline

If you are experiencing any of these side effects, please contact your doctor or medical care professional as soon as possible. Call 000 for emergency services if these symptoms are life threatening.

These include

• Suicidal thoughts and attempts
• Acting on dangerous impulses
• Aggressive or violent behaviour
• Manic episodes:
  • Further increased energy
  • Extreme trouble sleeping
  • Racing thoughts
  • Reckless/impulsive behaviour
  • Excessive happiness or irritability
• Talking more or faster than usual
• New or worse depression
• Agitation, restlessness, anger or irritability
• Serotonin syndrome. This condition can be life-threatening. Symptoms include:
  • Shakiness
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Hallucinations and delusions
  • Agitation
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Blood pressure changes
  • Muscle tremors or stiff muscles
  • Dizziness
• Low Sodium levels. Seniors and elderly are at great risk for this. Symptoms include:
  • Headache
  • Weakness or unsteadiness
  • Confusion, problems concentrating or thinking or memory problems
• Severe allergic reactions
  • Trouble breathing
  • Facial swelling
  • Rashes, itchy hives, blisters,
  • Fever or joint pain
• Eye pain
• Changes in vision, (double vision or blurred vision)
• Swelling or redness in and around eyes.
• Abnormal bleeding
• Seizures or convulsions
• Changes in appetite or weight.

Sertraline and other medications

Sertraline may interact with other medications you are currently taking, and can produce harmful symptoms or prevent the drug from working.

To manage these interactions between medications, consult your health care professional. When prescribed with any medicine, inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking.

The following medications that interact with sertraline may increase the risk of side effects:

• Cimetidine: Taking cimetidine with sertraline may cause a buildup of sertraline in your body, which may lead to an overdose. Your dose of sertraline may need to be lowered if you are taking cimetidine.
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine and imipramine: Taking sertraline with these drugs may cause a buildup of these drugs within your body. Your dosages may need to be adjusted in accordance with your doctor or healthcare professional.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin and warfarin: Can increase your risk of bleeding or bruising when taken with sertraline
• Triptans such as sumatriptan: Your risk for serotonin syndrome is increased when taken with sertraline.
• Lithium: increases your risk for serotonin syndrome when taken with sertraline
• Serotonergic medications such as fentanyl, tramadol and St. John’s wort: These drugs will increase your risk of serotonin syndrome (a potentially life-threatening condition associated with increased serotonergic activity in the central nervous system.)

Medicines you should not use with sertraline

These drugs should NOT be taken with sertraline, as they can cause dangerous and harmful effects on your body. These include:

• Linezolid, intravenous methylene blue: Can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Pimozide: When taken with Sertraline, it can cause serious heart-problems
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine: These drugs can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. It is recommended you wait at least 14 days between taking these drugs and sertraline

If you’re on a repeat sertraline prescription you can easily manage it, along with any other medications you are taking, using our Script Tracker.

Please follow the direction of your pharmacist or doctor when taking any medicine, and carefully follow the information on the prescription label.

References

Medline Plus – Sertraline https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697048.html
National Library of Medicine – Sertraline https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547689/
Healthline – Sertraline. Oral Tablet https://www.healthline.com/health/sertraline-oral-tablet
Aus Government – Shortage of Sertraline Tablets https://www.tga.gov.au/news/medicine-shortages/shortage-sertraline-tablets

 

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