SERTRALINE

Brand & Generic Names

Zoloft

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antidepressant

Uses

Treats mental depression.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
Once daily, either in the morning or in the evening.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Inhibits uptake of serotonin in the central nervous system, preventing depression.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 4 weeks.

Don't take with:
Any monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor* (or within 14 days of discontinuing an MAO inhibitor). To do so may cause serious or even fatal reactions.
Any other non-prescription drugs without consulting your doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Seizures, agitation, violent vomiting.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see previous section.

Common:

Weight loss, dry mouth, sweating, headache, insomnia.

Infrequent:

• Nausea, diarrhea, tremor, fatigue.
• Palpitations, dizziness.

Rare:

Mania, chest pain, skin rash.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have epilepsy.
• You have an allergy to sertraline.

Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have severe liver or kidney disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
No proven problems. Don't take unless essential. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
Unknown effects. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
No special problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how the medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:

• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• May affect results of some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Central nervous	Increased depressive effects of both
system (CNS)	drugs.
Digitoxin	Increased risk of adverse effects of
	both drugs.
Lithium	May increase risk of side effects.
Monoamine oxidase	Increased risk of adverse effects.
(MAO) inhibitors*	Increased risk of adverse effects.
	May lead to convulsions and hyper-
	tensive crisis. Let 4 days elapse
	between taking the 2 drugs.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	May increase depression.
Beverages:	No proven problems.
Cocaine:	Decreased effect of sertraline.
Foods:	No proven problems.
Marijuana:	Decreased effect of sertraline.
Tobacco:	No proven problems.