Sertraline

About sertraline

Sertraline is a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

SSRIs like sertraline increase the amount of circulating serotonin available in your brain. This can help improve symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, and OCD.

An anxiety disorder is a condition where anxiety is a major symptom. Panikstörning, social anxiety disorder, och post-traumatic stress disorder are all anxiety disorders. OCD is a condition where you have recurring and persistent ideas that make you do repetitive actions.

The most common side effects of sertraline are:

• Feeling sleepy, dizzy or weak.

• Feeling sick or being sick (vomiting).

• Förstoppning eller diarré.

• Indigestion.

• Huvudvärk.

• Mood changes such as feeling anxious, nervous or agitated.

• Feeling restless or shaky.

• Flushing and sweating.

• Torr mun.

• Difficulty sleeping and bad dreams.

• Sore throat.

• Tingling feelings.

• Lack of concentration.

• Synproblem.

• Ringing noises (tinnitus).

• Yawning.

• Swallowing problems.

• Reduced sexual drive (libido).

• Changes in appetite.

• Allmänna värk och smärtor.

Du hittar en fullständig lista i tillverkarens informationsblad som medföljer din medicin. De oönskade effekterna förbättras ofta när din kropp anpassar sig till den nya medicinen, men tala med din läkare eller apotekare om något av följande fortsätter eller blir besvärligt.

If you experience any other symptoms that you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking sertraline it is important that your doctor knows:

• Om du är gravid, försöker bli gravid eller ammar.

• If you have a heart condition, or a liver or kidney disorder.

• If you have epilepsy.

• If you have high blood sugar levels (diabetes mellitus).

• If you have an eye problem called glaucoma.

• If you have ever had a bleeding disorder.

• If you have ever had abnormally 'high' moods, called mania.

• If you are being treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

• Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.

• If you have taken an antidepressant known as a monoamine-oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the previous two weeks.

• Om du tar några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

• Read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about sertraline and will provide you with a full list of the side effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take sertraline exactly as your doctor tells you to - it is taken once daily. Most doctors recommend that it is taken either in the morning eller in the evening. Try to take your doses at the same time of day each day.

  • There are two strengths of tablet available - 50 mg and 100 mg. Your doctor will tell you which strength is right for you.

• If you are being treated for an anxiety disorder, your doctor may prescribe a low dose for you to begin with, and then gradually increase it. This is because slowly increasing the dose helps to reduce the risk of side effects.

• You can take sertraline before or after food.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

• Försök att hålla dina regelbundna möten med din läkare. Detta är så att din läkare kan följa upp din utveckling.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with sertraline. This is because several medicines which are available from general retail outlets can interfere with this treatment.

  • In particular, do not take the herbal remedy St John's wort, and ask for advice before buying any anti-inflammatory painkillers.

• While you are taking sertraline, you may have thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life. These thoughts may also be associated with your condition. It is very important that you tell your doctor about this if it happens.

• Do not stop taking sertraline unless your doctor tells you to do so. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want you to reduce your dose gradually when this becomes necessary.

  • You should expect that a course of treatment will last for several months. This is normal and helps to prevent your symptoms from recurring.

• If you have diabetes, you may need to check your blood glucose more frequently, as sertraline may affect the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will be able to advise you about this.

• A few people taking sertraline find that their skin is more sensitive to sunlight than normal. Until you know how your skin reacts, use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF) in strong sunlight.

• There are several types of antidepressants and they differ in their possible side effects. If you find that sertraline does not suit you then let your doctor know, as another may be found that will.

• Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

• Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.

How long does sertraline take to work?

Sertraline can take a week or two before the effect begins to build up, and 4-6 weeks before you feel the full benefit of it working. Do not stop taking it even if you feel like it is not helping.

Can I drink alcohol when taking sertraline?

Your doctor is likely to recommend that you do not drink alcohol while you are on sertraline, as it increases the risk of side effects, such as feeling sleepy. If you drink alcohol you should ask your doctor for advice.

Can I have grapefruit whilst taking sertraline?

Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are on sertraline. This is because a chemical in grapefruit juice increases the amount of sertraline in your bloodstream. This makes side effects more likely.

When do sertraline side effects start?

Side effects from sertraline often start within the first few days of taking the medicine. Some people may notice them straight away, while others find they appear after a week or so. These effects are usually mild and tend to improve as your body adjusts.