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Zoloft
This page contains drug information on Zoloft.
The information provided includes the following:
- what is Zoloft
- the possible side effects of Zoloft
- what happens if you miss a dose of Zoloft
- what happens if you overdose with Zoloft
- the most important information about Zoloft
- how to use Zoloft
- other drugs that may affect Zoloft
- what to avoid while using Zoloft
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Generic Name: sertraline (SER tra leen)
Brand Names:
Zoloft
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What is the most important information I should know about
sertraline?
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While you are taking sertraline you may need to be monitored
for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal
thoughts at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This
concern about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or
behaviors may be greater if you are 18 years of age or younger
and are taking sertraline. In patients younger than 18 years,
the period of risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when
doses are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the
following symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty
sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe
restlessness, and mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity).
These symptoms may be associated with the development of
worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts or
actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new
or worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with
sertraline. Do not stop taking sertraline. |
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Do not stop taking sertraline without first talking to your
doctor. It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling
better and you may experience unpleasant side effects if you
stop taking sertraline suddenly. |
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Sertraline is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors. Sertraline affects chemicals in the brain
that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic or
anxiety, obsessive or compulsive symptoms, or other psychiatric
symptoms. |
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Sertraline is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and
social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia. |
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Sertraline may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before
taking sertraline?
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While you are taking sertraline you may need to be monitored
for worsening symptoms of depression and/ or suicidal thoughts
at the start of therapy or when doses are changed. This concern
about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may
be greater if you are 18 years of age or younger and are taking
sertraline. In patients younger than 18 years, the period of
risk may extend beyond start of therapy or when doses are
changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following
symptoms: anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping,
irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe restlessness, and
mania (mental and/ or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms
may be associated with the development of worsening symptoms of
depression and/ or suicidal thoughts or actions. Contact your
healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental
health symptoms during treatment with sertraline. Do not stop
taking sertraline. |
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Do not take sertraline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks.
Serious, and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these
medicines have been used together. |
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Do not take sertraline if you are taking pimozide (Orap). A
dangerous drug interaction could result. |
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Before taking sertraline, tell your doctor if you |
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suffer from seizures; or |
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suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts. |
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You may not be able to take sertraline, or you may need a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above. |
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Sertraline is in the FDA pregnancy category C. Babies exposed
to sertraline and/ or other drugs of the same class during the
third trimester of pregnancy may develop medical complications.
Discuss the risks with your doctor. Do not take this medication
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or
could become pregnant during treatment. |
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It is not known whether sertraline passes into breast milk. Do
not take sertraline without first talking to your doctor if you
are breast-feeding a baby. |
How should I take sertraline?
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Take sertraline exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do
not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you. |
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Take each tablet with water. |
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The Zoloft Oral Concentrate must be diluted before taking a
dose. Use the dropper provided to measure a dose of the liquid.
Mix the prescribed amount with 4 oz (one-half cup) of water,
ginger ale, lemon/ lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice only. Do
not use any liquids other than those listed to dilute the
concentrate. A slight haze may appear after mixing, this is
normal. Drink this mixture immediately after mixing. Do not save
any diluted concentrate for later use. |
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Try to take sertraline at the same time each day. |
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Sertraline may be taken with or without food. |
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Do not stop taking sertraline without first talking to your
doctor. It may take 4 weeks or more for you to start feeling
better and you may experience unpleasant side effects if you
stop taking sertraline suddenly. |
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Store sertraline at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it
is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the
missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not
take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed
by your doctor. |
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
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Symptoms of a sertraline overdose include nausea,
vomiting, tremor, seizures, agitation, drowsiness, hyperactivity,
and enlarged pupils. |
What should I avoid while taking sertraline?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Sertraline may cause dizziness or
drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid
these activities. |
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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or
dizziness while taking sertraline. |
What are the possible side effects of sertraline?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects,
stop taking sertraline and contact your doctor immediately or
seek emergency medical treatment: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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an irregular heartbeat or pulse; |
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low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); |
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high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
or |
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If you experience any of the following less serious side
effects, continue taking sertraline and talk to your doctor: |
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tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; |
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nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight; |
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sleepiness or insomnia; or |
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decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect sertraline?
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Do not take sertraline if you have taken a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. Serious,
and sometimes fatal, reactions have occurred when these
medicines have been used together. |
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• |
Do not take sertraline if you are taking pimozide (Orap). A
dangerous drug interaction could result. |
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Before taking sertraline, tell your doctor if you are taking
any of the following medicines: |
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a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax),
chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), temazepam (Restoril),
triazolam (Halcion), and others; |
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a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil),
imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor),
and others; |
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a phenothiazine including chlorpromazine (Thorazine),
thioridazine (Mellaril), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil),
perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and
others; |
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lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others) or clozapine (Clozaril); |
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almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex),
naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); |
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carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin); |
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cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); or |
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bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban). |
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You may not be able to take sertraline, or you may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
are taking any of the medicines listed above. |
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Do not take the Zoloft Oral Concentrate without first talking
to your doctor if you are taking disulfiram (Antabuse). The oral
solution contains alcohol, which may interact with disulfiram. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
sertraline. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins,
minerals, and herbal products. |
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about sertraline
written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach
of children, never share your medicines with others, and use
this medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that
effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.
Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare
practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore
Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose
patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an
informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare
practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve
consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a
substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given
drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to
indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any
responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with
the aid of information Multum provides. The information
contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic
reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the
drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or
pharmacist. |
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