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).
This medication may improve your mood, sleep, appetite, and energy level and may help restore your interest in daily living. It may decrease fear, anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the number of panic attacks. It may also reduce the urge to perform duplicated tasks (compulsions such as hand-washing, counting, and checking) that hinder daily living. Sertraline is famous as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (serotonin) in the mind.
Read the medicine Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist you get a refill before you start using sertraline and each time. If you have any relevant questions, ask your physician or pharmacist.
Take this medicine by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily either in the morning or evening. The tablet form of this medication may be taken with or without food. The capsule type is generally taken with meals after breakfast or after your meal evening.
If you are taking this medication for premenstrual problems, your doctor may direct you to take this drug every day of the month or for only the 2 weeks before your period until the start of your period.
The dosage is based on your own medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a dose that is low slowly boost your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Just take this medication regularly to obtain the benefit that is most from it. Each day to help you remember, take it at the same time.
You should continue taking this medicine as recommended even if you feel well. Never stop using this medicine without consulting your medical professional. Some conditions can become worse when this medication is abruptly stopped. Also, you may experience signs such as mood swings, headache, tiredness, sleep changes, and brief feelings just like electric shock. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce negative effects. Report any brand new or worsening symptoms right away.
Tell your medical professional if your condition persists or worsens.
See section that is also warning.
Sickness, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, loss in appetite, increased sweating, diarrhea, upset stomach, or sleep disorders may possibly occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist quickly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of adverse effects. Many people using this medication do not have adverse that is serious.
Tell your doctor right away if some of these unlikely but serious negative effects happen: effortless bruising/bleeding, decreased fascination with sex, decrease in intimate ability (ejaculation delay), muscle tissue cramps/weakness, shaking (tremor), uncommon fat loss.
Get medical help right away if some of these rare but serious side impacts happen: black/bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, eye pain/swelling/redness, vision changes (such as for example seeing rainbows around lights during the night, blurred vision).
This medication may increase serotonin and hardly ever cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section). Get medical help right away in the event that you develop a few of the following symptoms: fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, serious nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness.
Seldom, males may have a prolonged or painful erection lasting 4 or more hours. If this occurs, stop using this drug and get help that is medical away, or permanent problems could occur.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get help that is medical away if you notice any outward indications of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially associated with the face/tongue/throat), serious dizziness, trouble breathing.
This isn't a list that is complete of side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your pharmacist or doctor.
In america -
Call your physician for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Phone your physician for medical advice about unwanted effects. You could report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Before using sertraline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any other allergies if you are allergic to it; or. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which could cause allergic responses or other problems. Speak to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical background, particularly of: bleeding problems, liver disease, seizure disorder, thyroid disease, personal or genealogy of glaucoma (angle-closure kind).
This drug might make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness you can perform such activities safely until you are sure. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all of the products you use (including prescribed drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal items).
Older adults may be much more sensitive to the relative side effects of this drug, especially bleeding, or loss of coordination. Older adults may be more likely also to develop a type of sodium imbalance (hyponatremia), particularly when they are taking "water pills" (diuretics). Loss of coordination increases the possibility of dropping.
Children may be more sensitive to the relative side effects of the drug, especially loss of appetite and weight loss. Monitor weight and height in children who are taking this medication.
During pregnancy, this medication should be utilized only when clearly needed. It may harm an baby that is unborn. Also, babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may develop withdrawal symptoms rarely such as for example feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle tissue tightness, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, promptly tell the doctor.
Since untreated mental/mood dilemmas (such as despair, panic attacks, obsessive disorder that is compulsive post-traumatic stress disorder) can be a serious condition, do not stop taking this medication unless directed by your doctor. You may be pregnant, immediately discuss the benefits and risks of using this medication during pregnancy with your doctor if you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think.
This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
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