Many people who use sertraline for the long term and most other antidepressant medications are advised to gradually taper their dosage of the medication as they stop using it, instead of stopping abruptly. Everyone responds differently to medication, meaning you might not get the same results from sertraline as other people. Your doctor might recommend adjusting your sertraline dosage or switching to another type of antidepressant medication for better results.
Sertraline has a relatively short half-life, meaning it will leave your body quickly if you decide to stop taking it abruptly. Because of this, some people notice discontinuation symptoms such as insomnia, nausea and anxiety after stopping sertraline.
Most of the time, your doctor will recommend tapering down your dosage of sertraline over the course of several weeks. This allows you to gradually reduce the amount of the medication that is active in your body, helping you avoid discontinuation side effects.
You should not stop taking sertraline against the advice of your doctor. If you have side effects from sertraline or think another medication might be a better option for you, consult with your doctor and follow their advice and recommendations. Just like other SSRIs, taking too much sertraline can cause a range of potentially serious side effects.
The most common symptoms of sertraline overdose include nausea, dizziness, fever, vomiting, confusion, shakiness and a rapid heartbeat. Taking too much sertraline can also cause serious symptoms , such as fainting, delirium, heart problems, changes in blood pressure and serotonin syndrome. Sertraline overdoses can occur if you take too much sertraline at once, or if you combine your dose of sertraline with other drugs.
Do not ever exceed your prescribed dose of sertraline. If you forgot to take your sertraline tablet the day before, do not take two tablets at once.
If you are concerned about a potential overdose situation, seek emergency medical assistance immediately. Although sertraline and other SSRIs are linked to weight gain, monitoring your food intake can allow you to lose weight or maintain your current weight while using sertraline.
About 25 percent of people who use SSRIs notice some level of weight gain. This means that you may lose or gain weight as you normally would by adjusting your calorie intake or activity level. Here are a few to consider. Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , the class of antidepressants most often used, can disrupt sleep for some people and would be best taken in the morning. For example, the manufacturer of Prozac fluoxetine recommends it be taken in the morning because it can make some people feel more energized, especially at the beginning of treatment.
However, when Prozac is given in combination with Zyprexa olanzapine —a combination called Symbyax —as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression, it can cause sleepiness, so then it's recommended to be taken in the evening.
Paxil paroxetine is generally taken in the morning in order to prevent sleeplessness at night. However, it may be given at bedtime if it is found to cause drowsiness in the person taking it. Wellbutrin bupropion is another antidepressant that is recommended to be taken in the morning in order to prevent insomnia at night. When prescribed in children or adolescents , Zoloft can cause frequent urination as well as urinary incontinence. In this case, taking the pill in the morning can prevent any nighttime bedwetting.
If you experience sexual side effects such as low libido, erectile dysfunction, or inability to ejaculate from your antidepressant, the timing of when you take your antidepressant can make a difference. Research indicates that it may be helpful to consider the time of day when you're most likely to engage in sexual activity and plan to take your antidepressant shortly thereafter. Some side effects are better tolerated if an antidepressant is taken closer to bedtime.
These are a few of the effects that fall into this category. Unlike some SSRIs, certain other antidepressants tend to make you feel drowsy , so they're better tolerated if you take them at bedtime.
Some classes of antidepressants mostly SSRIs can trigger nausea as well as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. While this often resolves itself as your body adjusts to the medication, sticking to a nighttime medication schedule can also help by hopefully allowing you to sleep through any digestive woes.
In addition to discussing with your doctor the time of day that is best to take your antidepressant , it's critical to remember that there are other strategies that affect how well your medication will work, including:. When you start your antidepressant, keep in close contact with your doctor and stay positive. You can find a way to treat your condition, but it may take a little bit of trial and error. Take your antidepressant as directed at the same time every day and do not stop it without first talking to your doctor.
Do not drive or use tools or machinery if you're feeling tired. Do not drink alcohol as it'll make you feel worse. If these symptoms do not go away after 1 or 2 weeks, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice. It happens rarely in less than 1 in people , but some people may have serious side effects when taking sertraline. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to sertraline. These are not all the side effects of sertraline.
For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. It's important for you and your baby that you stay well during your pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking sertraline, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Sertraline has been linked to a very small increased risk of problems for your unborn baby.
But if your depression is not treated during pregnancy, this can also increase the chance of problems. You may take sertraline during pregnancy if you need it to remain well. Your doctor can explain the risks and the benefits, and will help you decide which treatment is best for you and your baby.
If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, sertraline is one of the preferred antidepressants to take when breastfeeding. It has been used by many breastfeeding mothers without any problems. Sertraline passes into breast milk in tiny amounts and has been linked with side effects in a very few breastfed babies. But it's important to continue taking sertraline to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby. If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual or seems unusually sleepy, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor or doctor as soon as possible.
For more information about how sertraline can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read the leaflet about the best use of medicines in pregnancy BUMPS.
Some medicines and sertraline can interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects. Do not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you're being treated with sertraline as this will increase your risk of side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Sertraline is one of a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These medicines are thought to work by increasing the levels of a mood-enhancing chemical called serotonin in the brain. Antidepressants like sertraline help to jump start your mood so you feel better.
You may notice that you sleep better and get on with people more easily because you're less anxious. You'll hopefully take in your stride little things that used to worry you. Sertraline will not change your personality or make you feel euphorically happy. It'll simply help you feel like yourself again. Do not expect to feel better overnight, though. Some people feel worse during the first few weeks of treatment before they begin to feel better. You may see an improvement in your symptoms after 1 or 2 weeks, although it usually takes between 4 to 6 weeks before you feel the full benefits.
That's because it takes around a week for sertraline levels to build up in your body, and then a few weeks longer for your body to adapt and get used to it. Do not stop taking sertraline just because you feel it is not helping your symptoms. Give the medicine at least 6 weeks to work. If you have been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest coming off sertraline. Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks, or longer if you have been taking sertraline for a long time.
This is to help prevent any extra side effects you might get as a reaction to coming off the medicine. Do not stop taking sertraline suddenly, or without talking to your doctor first. Once you're feeling better it's likely that you'll continue to take sertraline for several more months.
Most doctors recommend that you take antidepressants for 6 months to a year after you no longer feel depressed. A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive. Or in a crisis , text "NAMI" to Donate Now. All FDA black box warnings are at the end of this fact sheet.
Please review before taking this medication. Sertraline is an antidepressant medication that works in the brain. It is also approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD in adults, children and adolescents aged years. PTSD occurs when a person experiences a traumatic event e. PMDD is a condition where a woman experiences depression, tension, and irritability for a few days prior to menstruation that end when menstruation begins.
These symptoms are more severe than those of premenstrual syndrome PMS. Panic Disorder occurs when a person experiences unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear. These episodes have physical symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and nausea. Fear of future episodes is also part of panic disorder.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD occurs when a person experiences the following symptoms at the same time:. Symptoms include:. They should be clear about the limits of the research around that medication and if there are any other options. Do not stop taking sertraline, even when you feel better. With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine. Depression is also a part of bipolar illness. People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants may be at risk for "switching" from depression into mania.
Symptoms of mania include "high" or irritable mood, very high self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, pressure to keep talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, frequently involved in activities with a large risk for bad consequences for example, excessive buying sprees.
Medical attention should be sought if serotonin syndrome is suspected. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your health care provider to best manage your medications.
People living with MDD who wish to become pregnant face important decisions. Untreated MDD has risks to the fetus, as well as the mother. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with your doctor and caregivers. For women who take antidepressant medications during weeks 13 through the end of their pregnancy second and third trimesters , there is a risk that the baby can be born before it is fully developed before 37 weeks.
This is a potentially fatal condition that is associated with use of the antidepressant in the second half of pregnancy.
0コメント