Zoloft
Sertraline Hydrochloride Oral tablet
What is this medicine?
SERTRALINE (SER tra leen) is used to treat depression. It may also be used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-trauma stress, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or social anxiety.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice. Read More ›
Zoloft can be used to treat the following conditions:
- depression
- generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- hot flashes
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- panic disorder
- posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- premature ejaculation
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
- pruritus
- social phobia (social anxiety disorder)
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 7 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
black or bloody stools, blood in the urine or vomit
fast, irregular heartbeat
feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
hallucination, loss of contact with reality
seizures
suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
change in appetite
change in sex drive or performance
increased sweating
tremors
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
cisapride
linezolid
MAOIs like Azilect, Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
methylene blue
pimozide
procarbazine
thioridazine
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
amphetamine or dextroamphetamine
aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
certain diet drugs like dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine, sibutramine
certain migraine headache medicines like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
medicines for sleep
medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
medicines to control heart rhythm like flecainide or propafenone
metoclopramide
NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
other medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
pentazocine
ritonavir
St. John's wort
tolbutamide
tramadol
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder
receiving electroconvulsive therapy
seizures (convulsions)
suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
an unusual or allergic reaction to sertraline, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Continue to take your medicine even if you do not feel better right away. It can take several weeks before you feel the full effect.
Patients and their families should watch out for worsening depression or thoughts of suicide. Also watch out for sudden or severe changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of antidepressant treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
Who should not take Zoloft?
Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
abrupt discontinuation, anorexia nervosa, anticoagulant therapy, bipolar disorder, bleeding, breast-feeding, cardiac disease, children, dehydration, diabetes mellitus, driving or operating machinery, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), geriatric, hepatic disease, hyponatremia, hypovolemia, mania, MAOI therapy, neonates, osteoporosis, postmenopausal females, pregnancy, pulmonary hypertension, renal failure, seizure disorder, seizures, suicidal ideation, thrombolytic therapy
Copyright: 2000-2010 The StayWell Company, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
15 Ways To Get Better Medicine
People who are actively involved in their medical care stay healthier, recover quicker when they're ill, and live longer, healthier lives.
Take the first step toward Better Medicine.
- Be a Savvy Medical Consumer
- Be an Active Patient
- Communicate with Your Health Care Provider
- Control Surgical Costs
- Control Your Medical Costs
- Cut Your Hospital Bills
- Evaluate Your Health Care Providers
- Find Dr. Right
- Get Optimal Medical Care
- Get the Health Care You Need
- Hold Down Specialist Costs
- Make Better Treatment Decisions
- Plan for Long-Term Care
- Prepare for Scheduled or Elective Surgery
- Take Part in Every Medical Decision
What's Causing Your Symptoms?
Popular Features
Wellness Center
Comprehensive Coverage | Hundreds of Topics
- Migraines | Memory | Brain and Nerves
- Raynaud's | Trigs | Heart, Blood and Circulation
- Carnival Risks | BBQ Safety | Injuries and Wounds
- Spring Rx | Food Allergies | Asthma | Immune System
- Science | Survivors | News | Risk | Cancer
- Bacterial | Viral | Infections and Contagious Diseases
- Crohn's | Ab Swelling | GERD | Digestive System
- RA | Soft Tissue | Pain | Bones, Joints and Muscles
- Hearing | Allergies | Ear, Nose and Throat
- View More ›
- Menopause, Maybe | Female Reproductive System
- Type 2 Tips | Diabetes and the Endocrine System
- Cataracts | Eye Symptoms | Eyes and Vision
- Organic or Not? | Food, Nutrition and Diet
- Bad Genes | Genetics and Birth Defects
- Bladder Bothers | Kidneys and the Urinary System
- Nocturnal Asthma | Lungs and Breathing
- Sperm Health | Male Reproductive System
- Schizophrenia Meds | Mental Health and Behavior
- Metabolism Myths | Metabolic System
- Whitening 411 | Mouth, Teeth and Oral Health
- Wild Mushrooms | Poisoning and Environmental Health
- Making Love Last | Sexual Health
- Radiance | Rash | Cancer | Skin, Hair and Nails
