This medicine is used for the following purposes:
- anxiety
- depression
- eating disorders
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder
Brand Name(s): Zoloft
Generic Name: Sertraline HCl
Instructions
This medicine may be taken with or without food.
Store at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not keep in the bathroom.
It may take several weeks for this medicine to fully work.
It is important that you keep taking each dose of this medicine on time even if you are feeling well.
If you forget to take a dose on time, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not take the missed dose. Return to your normal schedule. Do not take 2 doses at one time.
Drug interactions can change how medicines work or increase risk for side effects. Tell your health care providers about all medicines taken. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal medicines. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medicine.
Tell your doctor if symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.
If you need to stop this medicine, your doctor may wish to gradually reduce the dosage before stopping.
Keep all appointments for medical exams and tests while on this medicine.
Cautions
This medicine may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. Get medical help right away if you have a fast heartbeat, hallucinations, muscle trembling, or restlessness.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
Do not use the medication any more than instructed.
If possible, avoid using with alcohol, marijuana, or other medicines that can cause dizziness or drowsiness. These include allergy/cold products, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, and pain relievers.
Your ability to stay alert or to react quickly may be impaired by this medicine. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.
Family should check on the patient often. Call the doctor if patient becomes more depressed, has thoughts of suicide, or shows changes in behavior.
This medicine passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before breastfeeding.
During pregnancy, this medicine should be used only when clearly needed. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
Do not take St. John's wort while on this medicine.
If you have a painful erection or an erection for more than 4 hours, seek medical care right away.
Do not share this medicine with anyone who has not been prescribed this medicine.
Some patients have serious side effects from this medicine. Ask your pharmacist to show you the information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and discuss it with you.
Side Effects
The following is a list of some common side effects from this medicine. Please speak with your doctor about what you should do if you experience these or other side effects.
- agitated feeling or trouble sleeping
- decreased appetite
- diarrhea
- dizziness or drowsiness
- dry mouth
- nausea
- stomach upset or abdominal pain
- sweating
- weight loss
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice any of these more serious side effects:
- loss of balance
- bleeding or bruising
- coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- pain in the eye
- fainting
- hallucinations (unusual thoughts, seeing or hearing things that are not real)
- fast or irregular heart beats
- muscle trembling or weakness
- dilation of the pupils
- restlessness
- problems with sexual functions or desire
- shakiness
- bloody or dark, tarry stools
- suicidal thoughts
- blurring or changes of vision
- seeing halos or colors around lights
- severe or persistent vomiting
- unexpected or extreme weight loss
A few people may have an allergic reaction to this medicine. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help quickly.
Please speak with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medicine.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This document tells you briefly how to take your medicine, but it does not tell you all there is to know about it. Your doctor or pharmacist may give you other documents about your medicine. Please talk to them if you have any questions. Always follow their advice.
There is a more complete description of this medicine available in English. Scan this code on your smartphone or tablet or use the web address below. You can also ask your pharmacist for a printout. If you have any questions, please ask your pharmacist.
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More information about SERTRALINE - ORAL
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Selected from data included with permission and copyright by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
Conditions of Use: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The display and use of this drug information is subject to express Terms of Use.
