| What is Sertraline?
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Sertraline is prescribed for major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
and panic disorder. |
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| Are there any side effects associated with Sertraline?
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Sertraline side effects may include abdominal pain, agitation, anxiety, constipation, decreased sex drive, diarrhea or loose stools, difficulty with ejaculation, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, gas, headache, decreased appetite, increased sweating, indigestion, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, pain, rash, sleepiness, sore throat, tingling or pins and needles, tremor, vision problems,
and vomiting.
If the side effects continue or are bothersome, check with
your doctor. Less common or rare Sertraline side effects may include acne, allergic reaction, altered taste, back pain, blindness, breast development in males, breast pain or enlargement, breathing difficulties, bruise-like marks on the skin, cataracts, changeable emotions, chest pain, cold, clammy skin, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), coughing, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, double vision, dry eyes, eye pain, fainting, feeling faint upon arising from a sitting or lying position, feeling of illness, female and male sexual problems, fever, fluid retention, flushing, frequent urination, hair loss, heart attack, hemorrhoids, hiccups, high blood pressure, high pressure within the eye (glaucoma), hearing problems, hot flushes, impotence, inability to stay seated, increased appetite, increased salivation, increased sex drive, inflamed nasal passages, inflammation of the penis, intolerance to light, irregular heartbeat, itching, joint pains, kidney failure, lack of coordination, lack of sensation, leg cramps, menstrual problems, low blood pressure, migraine, movement problems, muscle cramps or weakness, need to urinate during the night, nosebleed, pain upon urination, prolonged erection, purplish spots on the skin, racing heartbeat, rectal hemorrhage,
respiratory infection/lung problems, ringing in the ears, rolling eyes, sensitivity to light, sinus inflammation, skin eruptions or inflammation, sleepwalking, sores on tongue, speech problems, stomach and intestinal inflammation, swelling of the face and throat, swollen wrists and ankles, thirst, throbbing heartbeat, twitching, vaginal inflammation, hemorrhage or discharge,
and yawning. |
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| How is Sertraline taken?
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Follow the directions for taking Sertraline provided by your doctor. Take Sertraline
exactly as prescribed, once a day, in either the morning or the evening. Sertraline
is available in capsule and oral concentrate forms. To prepare Sertraline oral concentrate, use the dropper provided. Measure out the amount of concentrate prescribed by your doctor and mix it with 4 ounces of water, ginger ale, lemon/lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice. (Do not mix the concentrate with any other type of beverage.) Drink the mixture immediately; do not prepare it in advance for later use. At times, a slight haze may appear after mixing, but this is normal. Improvement with
Sertraline may not be seen for several days to a few weeks. You should expect to keep taking it for at least several months.
Sertraline may make your mouth dry. For temporary relief suck a hard candy, chew gum, or melt bits of ice in your mouth.
If you miss a dose take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If several hours have passed, skip the dose.
Do not take
two doses at once. |
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| Are there any effects of taking Sertraline with other medications?
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Some medicines may interact with Sertraline. Inform your doctor of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.
It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining
Sertraline with cimetidine, diazepam, digitoxin, flecainide, lithium, MAO inhibitor drugs,
other serotonin-boosting drugs, other antidepressants, over-the-counter drugs,
propafenone, sumatriptan, tolbutamide, or warfarin. If you are using the oral concentrate form of
Sertraline, do not take disulfiram. You should not drink alcoholic beverages while taking
Sertraline. |
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| How should I store Sertraline?
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Store Sertraline at room temperature in a tightly closed container, away from heat and light. |
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Return to health network. |
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