Sertraline HCL – Uses, Side Effects, Warnings, and More

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Uses

This medication may help improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level, and it may also help restore your interest in day-to-day living. Sertraline is used to treat depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). It has the potential to reduce feelings of dread and anxiety, as well as unpleasant thoughts and the number of panic attacks. It is also possible that it will lessen the need to engage in repetitive behaviours (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking) that get in the way of daily life. An example of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor is the medication known as sertraline (SSRI). The brain’s levels of a certain naturally occurring substance (serotonin) are helped to become more stable as a result of its use.

How to make use of Sertraline Hydrochloride

Before beginning to use sertraline and whenever you get a refill, make sure you have read both the Medication Guide and, if it’s available, the Patient Information Leaflet that your pharmacist has given you. If you have any questions, you should consult with either your physician or your pharmacist.

It is recommended that you take this medication orally, as instructed by your physician, usually just once a day, in the morning or the evening. This medication can be taken either with or without food, depending on the form that it comes in (tablet or liquid).

Consuming the 25 milligrammes, 50 milligrammes, or 100 milligrammes capsule with food is the recommended method of administration. The capsules containing 150 and 200 milligrammes of the active ingredient can be taken either with or without food. Take the capsules with a full glass of water. Do not chew or shatter the capsules in your mouth. Consult your physician or pharmacist if you are unsure how to take this medication in capsule form. They will be able to answer any questions you may have.

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Before being administered, the liquid form of this drug needs to be combined with another liquid. Just before you take it, measure the dose out carefully using the medicine dropper that’s been provided. You should not use a regular spoon since you run the risk of not getting the right amount. Combine the required amount of medication with a half cup (4 ounces or 120 millilitres) of water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice. When mixing this medication, you should not use any other liquids. The combination could look hazy, but this is quite normal and poses no health risk. Consume the entirety of the concoction as soon as possible. You should not get anything ready in advance.

If you are taking this medication for premenstrual issues, your doctor may instruct you to take it every day of the month or to take it only for the two weeks before the start of your period until the start of your period. This will depend on the severity of your symptoms.

Your current health status and how well you respond to treatment will determine the appropriate dosage. It is possible that your physician will instruct you to begin treatment with this medicine at a low dose and then gradually increase that dose over the course of a few days. Be sure to pay close attention to the directions that your doctor gives you. It is important to maintain consistent use of this drug in order to get the most out of it. Take it at the same time every day so that you don’t forget when to take it.

Continue taking this medication even if you don’t feel like you need it. It is important that you speak with your healthcare provider before discontinuing the use of this medicine. It is possible that certain conditions will become even more severe if you suddenly stop taking this medication. You may also encounter symptoms such as changes in your mood, headaches, fatigue, shifts in the way you sleep, and short sensations that are analogous to electric shocks. Your doctor may gradually reduce your dosage of this medication in order to prevent these symptoms while you are withdrawing from therapy with this medication. Notify your doctor immediately of any symptoms that are new or that have worsened.

Notify your primary care physician if your issue persists or worsens.

Side Effects

It is possible for patients to experience symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, loss of appetite, increased perspiration, diarrhoea, upset stomach, or difficulty sleeping. Notify your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these side effects continue or become worse.

Keep in mind that the reason your doctor has recommended that you take this medication is that he or she believes that the potential benefits to you outweigh the potential risks of doing so. The majority of persons who take this medicine do not report experiencing any severe adverse effects.

In the event that you have any major adverse effects, including but not limited to: easy bruising or bleeding, decreased interest in sex, changes in sexual ability, muscle cramps or weakness, shaking (tremor), or unexpected weight loss, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any very serious side effects, such as a heartbeat that is too fast or too irregular, feeling faint, having stools that are black or bloody, vomiting that looks like coffee grounds, eye pain, swelling, or redness, widened pupils, or vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night, blurred vision).

This medicine has the potential to raise serotonin levels, as well as the risk of a potentially fatal disease known as serotonin syndrome or poisoning. The danger is increased if you are also taking other medications that boost serotonin levels; thus, you should inform your physician or pharmacist of all the medications you now take (see Drug Interactions section). You should seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms: a rapid heartbeat, hallucinations, lack of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhoea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation or restlessness.

In extremely rare cases, males may experience a painful or protracted erection that lasts for four hours or longer. Immediately seek medical attention and discontinue the use of this medication if you experience this side effect; otherwise, the condition may become irreversible.

It is quite unusual for this medicine to cause an extremely severe allergic reaction. However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you detect any symptoms of a major allergic reaction, such as a rash, itching/swelling (particularly of the face/tongue/throat), extreme dizziness, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms can be signs of anaphylaxis.

This list of potential adverse effects is not exhaustive in any way. Please consult your physician or pharmacist if you have any side effects that are not listed above.

In the United States, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit their website at www.fda.gov/medwatch to report any adverse effects.

In Canada, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345 to report any adverse effects you experience.

Precautions

 

Inform your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are allergic to sertraline, or if you have any additional allergies before beginning treatment with sertraline. This product may contain inactive components that are known to cause allergic reactions or other types of issues. For example, the medicine dropper may be made of latex, and some versions of this product may contain tartrazine. Discuss the matter further with your pharmacist for further information.

Before beginning treatment with this medication, it is important that you discuss your medical history with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly any of the following: a personal or family history of bipolar/manic-depressive disorder; bleeding problems; liver disease; seizure disorder; thyroid disease; a personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type).

Sertraline has been linked to a disorder that alters the normal beat of the heart (QT prolongation). Rarely, a QT prolongation can produce a dangerous (and in extremely rare cases, fatal) fast or irregular heartbeat, in addition to other symptoms (such as severe dizziness and fainting) that require immediate medical attention.

If you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that can cause QT prolongation, your risk of developing the condition may be enhanced. Before beginning treatment with sertraline, it is important to inform your physician or pharmacist of all the medications you are currently taking, as well as if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), a family history of certain heart problems, or any of the other conditions listed above (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).

Your chance of having your QT interval becomes prolonged may also be increased if your blood potassium or magnesium levels are low. If you take certain medications (such as diuretics or “water pills”) or if you have conditions such as extreme sweating, diarrhoea, or vomiting, your risk may be increased. This risk may also increase if you use certain drugs. Have a conversation with your healthcare provider about how to use sertraline safely.

This medication could cause you to feel lightheaded or sleepy. Drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana (also known as cannabis) can make you feel more lightheaded and sleepy. Do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle, operate any machinery, or engage in any activity that requires attentiveness until you are able to do so safely. Steer clear of beverages containing alcohol. If you are a marijuana user, you should consult your primary care physician (cannabis).

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This drug is available in liquid form, and it does contain alcohol. If you have diabetes, an alcohol dependence, or liver illness, you should use extreme caution. When coupled with alcohol, certain drugs (such as metronidazole and disulfiram, for example) can result in a potentially life-threatening adverse response. Talk to your primary care physician or your local pharmacist about the proper use of this medicine.

Before undergoing surgery, it is important to discuss all of the products you use with your dentist or doctor (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Those who are older may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of this medication, particularly bleeding, loss of coordination, or prolongation of the QT interval (see above). Coordination problems can make you more likely to experience a fall. The risk of developing a type of salt imbalance known as hyponatremia is increased in older persons, particularly among those who take medications known as “water pills” (diuretics).

Loss of appetite and weight loss are two of the potential adverse effects of this medication that could affect children more severely than adults. Keep an eye on the child’s weight and height if they are on this medication.

During pregnancy, it is important to only use this drug when it is absolutely necessary. It could cause harm to an unborn child. In addition, there is a remote possibility that infants whose mothers used this medicine during the last three months of pregnancy will have an increased risk of developing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may include trouble eating or breathing, seizures, muscle stiffness, or frequent weeping. Notify the paediatrician as soon as possible if you observe any of these symptoms in your newborn child.

Do not stop taking this drug until your doctor tells you to, as untreated mental and emotional issues (such as depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder) can be serious conditions. Discuss the advantages and dangers of using this medicine during pregnancy with your attending physician as soon as possible if you are intending on becoming pregnant, if you already are pregnant, or if you suspect that you may be pregnant.

This medication can be found in breast milk. Before starting to breastfeed, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Interactions

Drug interactions can alter the way in which your prescriptions work or raise the likelihood that you will have major adverse effects. This document does not contain all possible medication interactions. Maintain a list of all the goods you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal remedies, and give it to both your primary care physician and your pharmacist. Without first consulting your physician, you should never alter the dosage of any medication, stop taking any medication, or start taking any new medication.

Pimozide and other medications that have the potential to cause bleeding or bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen, and “blood thinners” such as warfarin and dabigatran) are examples of products that have the potential to interact with this medication.

Taking MAO inhibitors in conjunction with this medication may result in severe drug interaction, which could even be fatal. During your course of treatment with this drug, you should refrain from using any MAO inhibitors, including isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. In addition, it is not recommended to use any MAO inhibitors for a period of two weeks before and after therapy with this medicine. Inquire with your physician regarding the appropriate time to begin or stop using this medicine.

If you are also taking other drugs that enhance serotonin, you put yourself at a greater risk of developing serotonin syndrome or serotonin poisoning. Street drugs such as MDMA or “ecstasy,” the herb St. John’s wort, various antidepressants (including additional SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine and SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), tryptophan, and a number of other substances are among examples. When you first begin taking these medications or raise your dosage, you may be putting yourself at a greater risk of developing serotonin syndrome or serotonin poisoning.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other products that cause drowsiness, such as alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and opioid pain or cough relievers. These products include but are not limited to alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), and antihistamines (such as ce (such as codeine, and hydrocodone).

You should read the labels on all of your medications (such as those meant to treat allergies or coughs and colds) since some of them can contain substances that make you feel sleepy. Talk to your local pharmacist about the proper way to use those products.

When used with this drug, the usage of aspirin is associated with an increased risk of bleeding. If, on the other hand, your doctor has instructed you to take low-dose aspirin for the prevention of heart attack or stroke (usually 81-162 milligrammes per day), you should keep taking it unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Low-dose aspirin is typically prescribed in the range of 81-162 milligrammes per day.

This medicine has the potential to interfere with a variety of medical and laboratory procedures, including brain scans used to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. As a result, the tests may produce inaccurate results. Ensure that the staff at the lab and all of your physicians are aware that you are using this medication.

Overdose

Dial 911 if you suspect that someone has overdosed and they are exhibiting serious symptoms such as passing out or having problems breathing. In any other case, you should immediately contact a poison control centre. To reach the poison control centre for your area in the United States, dial 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Extreme lightheadedness and fainting are two of the possible symptoms of an overdose.

Notes

It is imperative that you do not provide this medication to anyone else.

Always be on time for your scheduled checkups and appointments with the psychiatrist.

Neglected Dose

If you forget to take a dose, you should take it as soon as you realise you forgot. If it is getting close to the time of the next dose, you should forgo the dose that you missed. Your next dose should be taken at the typical time. It is not necessary to double the dose in order to catch up.

Storage

Keep at room temperature and away from light and moisture. Store at room temperature. Keep away from the bathroom at all costs. Always make sure that children and animals are kept well away from any medications.

Unless you have been specifically told to do so, you should not flush drugs down the toilet or pour them down a drain. When it is no longer needed or has passed its expiration date, dispose of this product in the appropriate manner. Talk to your neighborhood pharmacy or the firm that handles garbage disposal in your area.