Sertraline hydrochloride

Brand Names

Sertraline hydrochloride

What is Sertraline hydrochloride

Sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft) is a prescription antidepressant that related to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Sertraline is characterized by affecting chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Side effects of Sertraline hydrochloride

Sertraline may cause the following side effects:

• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• vomiting
• dry mouth
• gas or bloating
• loss of appetite
• weight changes
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• excessive tiredness
• headache
• pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• nervousness
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• sore throat
• changes in sex drive or ability
• excessive sweating

Once you have noticed any of these side effects, you should stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor as soon as possible:

• blurred vision
• seizures
• fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, and severe muscle stiffness
• abnormal bleeding or bruising
• hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)

Indication

Sertraline is used to treat a number of such conditions as:

• Depression (also known as major depression or clinical depression)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)

Precautions

It is necessary to inform your doctor if you have:

• Bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder (also known asmanic depression)
• A history of suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts
• Diabetes
• Seizures or epilepsy
• Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
• Had a recent heart attack (or if you have unstable heart disease)
• Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, preservatives or latex
• Are pregnant, want to be pregnant or breastfeeding

Dosage forms

Sertraline dose for Depression or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

For people suffering from depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the recommended starting dose is sertraline 50 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase the sertraline dose if symptoms continue or decrease the dose if side effects occur.

Sertraline dose for Panic Disorder, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or Social Anxiety Disorder

For people with panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or social anxiety disorder, the recommended dose is sertraline 25 mg once a day. After a week, your doctor may increase the dose up to 50 mg of sertraline once a day. Your doctor may also increase the sertraline dose if symptoms continue or decrease the dose if side effects occur.