Sertraline is an antidepressant used for the treatment of depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder or social anxiety. It works by increasing the availability of serotonin in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for regulating mood and well-being.

This medication may also be prescribed to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, such as irritability, bloating and mood changes.

Sertraline can be obtained with a prescription at a pharmacy in 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg tablets, as the generic "sertraline hydrochloride" or under the brand names Zoloft.

What it’s used for

Sertraline is prescribed for the treatment of:

Depression
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Panic syndrome, with or without agoraphobia
Social phobia
Post-traumatic stress disorder

Sertraline can additionally be indicated to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and/or premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Sertraline should only be used as prescribed and with regular follow-up with a psychiatrist or family doctor, who can assess the patient’s response to treatment and the emergence of side effects.

How it works

Sertraline acts in the body by selectively inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. This leads to an increase of sertraline levels in the brain.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter known as the “happiness hormone”, and it helps to regulate mood, sleep, anxiety and depression. Learn more about serotonin and how low levels can affect you.

How to take

Sertraline should be taken orally, with a glass of water, before or after a meal. It is taken as a single daily dose, ideally at the same time every day.

Dosing for sertraline adults varies depending on the condition being treated. General doses are as follows:

Depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): the normally recommended dose is one 50 mg tablet of sertraline per day;
Panic syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social phobia: the initial dose is one 25 mg tablet per day (or ½ tablet of 50 mg), which can be increased by the doctor to 50 mg per day after 1 week of treatment;
Premenstrual tension (PMS) and/or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): the normally recommended dose is 1 tablet of 50 mg of sertraline per day, which can be used continuously or starting 14 days before menstruation, You should stop using it on the first day of your period and repeat this course of use every month.

The dose of sertraline for adults can be gradually increased to a maximum of 200 mg/day, as prescribed by your doctor and according to the condition being treated.

Children over 6 years of age can be prescribed sertraline for the treatment of depression or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The initial recommended dose is 25 mg per day for children between 6 and 12 years of age. This can then be increased by the doctor to 50 mg per day, depending on the response to treatment.

For children between 13 and 17 years old, the initial recommended dose of sertraline is 50 mg per day.

What to do if you forget to take it

If you forget to take sertraline, take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember, and then take your next dose at the regular scheduled time. However, if you forgot to take the current dose of sertraline close to the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait for the usually time of the next one.

You should not take 2 doses at the same time to try to make up for a missed dose. If you are unsure how to proceed, consult your prescriber or pharmacist for further guidance.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects of sertraline are insomnia, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, poor digestion, changes in appetite, nightmares, tremors, ringing in the ears, joint pain and palpitations.

Sertraline can also cause changes to sexual function, such as difficulty in erection, loss or delay in ejaculation in men, and decreased libido and difficulty or delay in orgasm in women.

Sertraline can lead to serious side effects like seizures, unusual bruising and bleeding, hallucinations, fever, chills, changes in heartbeat, loss of motor coordination, hives and difficulty breathing. If you experience these side effects, you should seek urgent medical attention.

Sertraline makes you lose weight or gain weight?

Sertraline can lead to increased or decreased appetite, which may cause changes in weight in some people.

However, sertraline is not recommended for weight loss. Instead, you are advised to consult a registered dietitian to achieve any weight loss goals you may have.

If you notice weight gain while using sertraline, it is important to inform your prescriber, who may consider a dose change or medication alternative.

Contraindications for use

Sertraline should not be used by children under 6 years of age or by people allergic to sertraline or other components of its formula.

This medicine should not be used by people who are taking monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAOI’s), such as moclobemide or selegiline. In these cases, sertraline should only be started 14 days after stopping MAOI treatment.

Sertraline should also not be used by people being treated with pimozide, or who have angle-closure glaucoma. Diabetics are advised to keep their blood glucose within normal levels during treatment with this medication.

You should not consume alcohol or grapefruit juice while using sertraline, as they may alter the effect of the medication.

Sertraline in pregnancy and breastfeeding

During pregnancy, sertraline should only be used as approved by a doctor, after evaluating the benefits of the treatment for the woman and possible risks for the baby.

The use of sertraline in the last months of pregnancy can increase the risk of bleeding after birth and respiratory problems in the newborn, such as difficulty breathing and eating, vomiting and abnormal body temperature.

Furthermore, during breastfeeding, sertraline should only be used if approved by the doctor as it can transfer into breast milk, causing irritability, drowsiness, colic and loss of appetite in the baby