Sertraline (Zoloft)

Important information

You should not use sertraline if you also take pimozide, or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection.

Do not use sertraline if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

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Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Do not give sertraline to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Sertraline is FDA-approved for children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is not approved for treating depression in children.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use sertraline if you are allergic to it, if you also take pimozide, or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection.

Do not use sertraline if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine. After you stop taking sertraline, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI.

To make sure sertraline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver or kidney disease;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

• bipolar disorder (manic depression); or

• a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Taking an SSRI antidepressant, such as sertraline, during pregnancy may cause serious lung problems or other complications in the baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not start or stop taking this medicine during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.

It is not known whether sertraline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give sertraline to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor. Sertraline is FDA-approved for children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is not approved for treating depression in children.

Commonly reported side effects of sertraline include:dyspepsia, nausea, insomnia, loose stools, dizziness, drowsiness, tremor, fatigue, diarrhea, paresthesia, headache, anorexia, diaphoresis, decreased libido, delayed ejaculation, ejaculation failure, and xerostomia. Other side effects include: vomiting, abdominal pain, agitation, pain, hypouricemia, anxiety, and malaise. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Dosage : 50-100 mg