section name header

Pronunciation ⬇

SER-tra-leen

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: antianxiety agents, antidepressants

Pharmacologic Classification: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ssris

Indications ⬆ ⬇

BEERS REMS

Unlabeled Use:
  • Generalized anxiety disorder.

Action ⬆ ⬇

  • Inhibits neuronal uptake of serotonin in the CNS, thus potentiating the activity of serotonin. Has little effect on norepinephrine or dopamine.
Therapeutic effects:
  • Antidepressant action.
  • Decreased incidence of panic attacks.
  • Decreased obsessive and compulsive behavior.
  • Decreased feelings of intense fear, helplessness, or horror.
  • Decreased social anxiety.
  • Decrease in premenstrual dysphoria.

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Appears to be well absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Extensively distributed throughout body tissues.

Protein Binding: 98%.

Metabolism/Excretion: Extensively metabolized by the liver; one metabolite has some antidepressant activity; 14% excreted unchanged in feces.

Half-Life: 24 hr.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

( antidepressant effect)

ROUTEONSETPEAKDURATION
POwithin 2–4 wkunknownunknown



Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Use Cautiously in:

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

CV: chest pain, palpitations, QT interval prolongation, TORSADES DE POINTES

Derm: ↑sweating, hot flashes, rash

EENT: pharyngitis, rhinitis, tinnitus, visual abnormalities

Endo: diabetes, SIADH

F and E: ↑thirst, hyponatremia

GI: diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, abdominal pain, altered taste, anorexia, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, vomiting

GU: ↓libido, delayed/absent orgasm, ejaculatory delay/failure, erectile dysfunction, menstrual disorders, urinary disorders, urinary frequency

Hemat: BLEEDING

Metab: ↑appetite

MS: back pain, myalgia

Neuro: dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, insomnia, tremor, agitation, anxiety, confusion, emotional lability, hypertonia, hypoesthesia, impaired concentration, manic reaction, nervousness, paresthesia, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/BEHAVIORS, twitching, weakness, yawning

Misc: fever

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-drug:

Drug-Natural Products:

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

Depression

  • PO (Adults ): 50 mg once daily in the morning or evening initially; after several weeks, may ↑ at weekly intervals up to 200 mg/day, depending on response.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

  • PO (Adults ): 50 mg once daily in the morning or evening initially; after several weeks, may ↑ at weekly intervals up to 200 mg/day, depending on response.
  • PO (Children 13–17 yr): 50 mg once daily.
  • PO (Children 6–12 yr): 25 mg once daily.

Panic Disorder

  • PO (Adults ): 25 mg once daily initially; may ↑ after 1 wk to 50 mg once daily.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • PO (Adults ): 25 mg once daily for 7 days; then ↑ to 50 mg once daily; may then be ↑ if needed at intervals of at least 7 days (range 50–200 mg once daily).

Social Anxiety Disorder

  • PO (Adults ): 25 mg once daily initially; then ↑ to 50 mg once daily; may be ↑ at weekly intervals up to 200 mg/day.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

  • PO (Adults ): 50 mg/day initially either daily or daily during luteal phase of cycle. Daily dosing may be titrated upward in 50-mg increments at the beginning of a cycle. In luteal phase–only dosing, a 50-mg/day titration step for 3 days at the beginning of each luteal phase dosing period should be used (range 50–150 mg/day).

Availability ⬆ ⬇

(Generic available)
  • Tablets: 25 mg; 50 mg; 100 mg
  • Capsules: 25 mg; 50 mg; 100 mg; 150 mg; 200 mg
  • Oral solution (concentrated) (contains 12% alcohol): 20 mg/mL

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

  • Assess for suicidal tendencies, especially during early therapy. Restrict amount of drug available to patient. Risk may be ↑ in children, adolescents, and adults ≤24 yr. After starting therapy, children, adolescents, and young adults should be seen by health care provider at least weekly for 4 wk, every 3 wk for next 4 wk, and on advice of health care provider thereafter.
  • Monitor appetite and nutritional intake. Weigh weekly. Notify health care provider of continued weight loss. Adjust diet as tolerated to support nutritional status.
  • Assess for serotonin syndrome (mental changes [agitation, hallucinations, coma], autonomic instability [tachycardia, labile BP, hyperthermia], neuromuscular aberrations [hyperreflexia, incoordination], GI symptoms [nausea, vomiting, diarrhea]), especially in patients taking other serotonergic drugs (SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans). If signs/symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, discontinue sertraline.
  • Assess sexual function before starting sertraline. Assess for changes in sexual function during treatment, including timing of onset; patient may not report.
  • Depression: Monitor mood changes. Inform health care provider if patient demonstrates significant ↑ in anxiety, nervousness, or insomnia.
  • OCD: Assess for frequency of obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Note degree to which these thoughts and behaviors interfere with daily functioning.
  • Panic Attacks: Assess frequency and severity of panic attacks.
  • PTSD: Assess for feelings of fear, helplessness, and horror. Determine effect on social and occupational functioning.
  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Assess for signs/symptoms of social anxiety disorder (blushing; sweating; trembling; tachycardia during interactions with new people, people in authority, or groups) periodically during therapy.
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Assess for signs/symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (feeling angry, tense, or tired; crying easily; feeling sad or hopeless; arguing with family or friends for no reason; difficulty sleeping or paying attention; feeling out of control or unable to cope; having cramping, bloating, food craving, or breast tenderness) periodically during therapy.

Lab Test Considerations:

  • May cause false-positive urine screening tests for benzodiazepines.
    • May cause hyperglycemia; monitor serum glucose if clinical symptoms occur.

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

  • Do not confuse sertraline with cetirizine or Soriatane.
    • Periodically reassess dose and continued need for therapy.
  • PO: Administer as a single dose in the morning or evening.
    • For oral concentrate, use dropper provided to remove oral concentrate and mix with 4 ounces (½ cup) of water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice ONLY. Do not mix with other liquids. Take immediately after mixing. Do not mix in advance. Slight haze may appear after mixing; this is normal. Dropper dispenser contains dry natural rubber; advise patient with latex allergy.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

  • Explain purpose and side effects of medication to patient. Advise patient to read Patient Information before starting therapy. Instruct to take as directed. Take missed doses as soon as possible and return to regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Do not stop abruptly; may cause dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, and hypomania.
  • Instruct patient to notify health care provider of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and consult health care provider before taking any new medications, especially St. John’s wort or SAMe.
  • May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Caution patient to avoid driving and other activities requiring alertness until response to the drug is known.
  • Advise patient, family, and caregivers to look for suicidality, especially during early therapy or dose changes. Notify health care provider immediately if thoughts about suicide or dying, attempts to commit suicide, new or worse depression or anxiety, agitation or restlessness, panic attacks, insomnia, new or worse irritability, aggressiveness, acting on dangerous impulses, mania, or other changes in mood or behavior occur.
  • Advise patient and caregivers to immediately notify health care provider if signs/symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur.
  • Advise patient to avoid alcohol or other CNS depressant drugs during therapy and to consult with health care provider before taking other medications and to avoid alcohol or other CNS depressant drugs, including opioids, during therapy.
  • Inform patient that frequent mouth rinses, good oral hygiene, and sugarless gum or candy may minimize dry mouth. If dry mouth persists for >2 wk, consult health care provider regarding use of saliva substitute.
  • Advise patient to wear sunscreen and protective clothing to prevent photosensitivity reactions.
  • Advise patient to notify health care provider if headache, weakness, nausea, anorexia, anxiety, or insomnia persists or if bleeding (bruising, hematoma, epistaxis, petechiae) occurs.
  • Inform patient that sertraline may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction. In men, ejaculatory delay or failure, ↓ libido, and erectile dysfunction may occur. In women, may result in ↓ libido and delayed or absent orgasm. Advise patient to notify health care provider if symptoms occur.
  • Emphasize the importance of follow-up exams to monitor progress. Encourage patient participation in psychotherapy to improve coping skills.
  • Rep: Advise women of reproductive potential to notify health care provider immediately if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding. If used during pregnancy, should be tapered during 3rd trimester to avoid neonatal serotonin syndrome. Use in the month before delivery may ↑ risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Monitor infants exposed to sertraline for excess sedation, restlessness, agitation, poor feeding, poor weight gain, or respiratory distress; may ↑ risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Inform patient of pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. Register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-866-961-2388 or online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

  • Antidepressant action.
  • Decreased incidence of panic attacks.
  • Decreased obsessive and compulsive behavior.
  • Decreased feelings of intense fear, helplessness, or horror.
  • Decreased social anxiety.
  • Decrease in premenstrual dysphoria.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Zoloft

Pill Image

sertraline_195-9196.jpg