Have you been prescribed a medication called Sertraline by a doctor for a mental health condition like depression or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? If so, it's normal to have a lot of questions about this medication. You may be wondering things like, "What does this actually do?", "Is this safe?", "What are the side effects?" Don't worry, we'll talk about all of this in a very simple and friendly way today.
What exactly is Sertraline?
Simply put, Sertraline is a medication that helps improve your mental health. It is mainly used to treat conditions such as depression and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).
Imagine that there is a "messenger" in our brain that controls our mood. We call this messenger serotonin. Sometimes when this serotonin level decreases, we can feel sad, anxious, and fearful. Sertraline works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain and helping to stabilize your mood. This type of medication is medically called SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) .
Sometimes a doctor may prescribe this medication for other health conditions as well.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting sertraline, it is very important to tell your doctor about your complete health history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Status/habit | Description |
|---|---|
| Mental health problems | If you or someone in your family has had bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts or attempts. |
| Heart disease and blood pressure | Conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and irregular heartbeat. |
| Blood related problems | If you have bleeding disorders, are taking blood-thinning medications (e.g. Warfarin). If you have a history of low blood calcium, magnesium, or potassium levels. |
| Other illnesses | Conditions such as liver disease, thyroid problems, glaucoma, and seizures. |
| Habits and treatments | If you drink alcohol frequently, or if you are receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to sertraline or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use this medicine?
- Take with a glass of water: This medicine is for oral use. Always take it with a glass of water.
- Take as directed by your doctor: Take the dose prescribed by your doctor, at the same time every day. Taking it at the same time without changing the time will help you get better results.
- Do not break, crush, or chew: These capsules should be swallowed whole. Do not break, crush, or chew them.
- Don't stop suddenly: This is the most important thing. Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor. Doing so can cause serious side effects and make your condition worse.
What if you give it to children?
This medicine can be prescribed for some conditions even for children over the age of 6. However, special care should be taken, so talk to your doctor carefully before giving this medicine to your child.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never give your medicine to anyone else.
What if I forget to take my medicine?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things that may interact with Sertraline
Sertraline can interact with other medications, herbal products, and alcohol, so it's important to tell your doctor about everything you're taking.
| Never take Sertraline with these! | |
|---|---|
| |
| Be very careful if you take Sertraline with these. | |
| Alcohol | Taking this medicine with alcohol may increase side effects. |
| Painkillers | NSAID medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen. Painkillers such as Tramadol. |
| Other psychiatric medications | Other antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, Lithium. |
| Blood thinners | Medicines like Warfarin and Enoxaparin. |
| Herbs and supplements | Things like St. John's wort, Kava kava, Valerian. |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, herbal products, and illegal drugs you are taking.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Be patient: It may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medication. So, don't stop taking it just because your symptoms haven't improved immediately. Continue taking it as directed by your doctor.
- Be aware of behavioral changes: If you or your family members notice changes in your behavior—for example, if you seem to be getting more depressed, if you have thoughts of harming yourself, if you have increased anxiety, if you have unusual agitation —call your doctor right away.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful when standing up suddenly or getting up from a sitting position, especially if you are an elderly person.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is common. This can be controlled by chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medication, Sertraline can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Black or bloody stools, red/dark brown urine, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, and small red/purple spots on the skin. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Anxiety, confusion, fast heartbeat, muscle tightness or twitching, excessive sweating, high fever, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea. |
| Other serious symptoms | Low sodium levels in the blood (muscle weakness, headache, confusion), sudden eye pain or changes in vision, suicidal thoughts. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| |
Take-Home Message
- Sertraline is a medication that should be used under the supervision of a doctor. Take it exactly as prescribed, for the prescribed period of time.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly for any reason without consulting your doctor. It can be dangerous.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, herbal products, and all medical conditions you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical advice if you experience serious changes in your mood or behavior, especially suicidal thoughts, while taking the medicine.
- It may take several weeks for the full effects of the medication to be seen, so be patient and continue the treatment.
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