Sertraline (Lustral, Zoloft)
No More Panic forum posts about this medication can be found here: Sertraline / Zoloft / Lustral
Sertraline is used in the treatment of all types of depression, It is also licenced for use in PTSD and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
It belongs to the group of antidepressants called serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI’s).
Sertraline is generally well tolerated and any gastrointestinal adverse effects, such as nausea or diarrhoea, are usually dose-related and decrease with continued use. It is less sedating and causes fewer anticholinergic side effects than tricyclic antidepressants.
Benefits Seen
- From the first week to three or more weeks
If Stop Taking
- Do not stop without consulting your doctor
- Wean off slowly
Warnings
- Do not take this drug if you have taken a MAO inhibitor, monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the last five weeks.
- Do not take this drug if you plan to have electro convulsive therapy (ECT).
- Do not take this drug if you are pregnant
- Do not take this drug if planning to become pregnant.
- Do not take if you are breast-feeding.
- Do not give this drug to any one under eighteen. If over sixty only use drug in small doses and with close monitoring of it’s side effects.
- Avoid alcohol – may increase the sedative effects of this drug.
Do not use if
- You had negative reactions to this drug in the past.
Inform your Doctor if
- You had negative reactions to this drug in the past.
- If you have a history of seizures, recent heart attack, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease or liver disease.
- If you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription drug.
- If you have epileptic fits.
- If you are receiving electro convulsive therapy (ECT).
- If you plan to be under anesthesia or having any surgery in the next few months, also if you will be under-going any medical tests.
Symptoms or Side Effects
Common
- Diarrheoa
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry month
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Tingling
- Vomiting.
Rare
- Altered taste
- Abnormal vision
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Tremor
- Sexual difficulties
- Increased sweating
- Drowsiness
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Hives
- Impaired concentration
- Increased blood pressure
- Numbness
- Paresthesias
- Tongue ulceration.
See doctor always
- Altered taste
- Abnormal vision
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Dry month
- Hallucinations
- Impaired concentration
- Increased blood pressure
- Numbness
- Paresthesias
- Tongue ulceration.
See doctor if severe
- Diarrheoa
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Tingling
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Sexual difficulties
- Tremors
- Increased sweating.
See doctor NOW
- Anemia
- Hives
- Skin rash
- Seizures.
