About sertraline hcl
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant
Used for
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder
Usual adult dose
Usually 50 mg once daily for depression or OCD; 25–50 mg daily for other uses, increased gradually if needed.
Usual dose in children
For OCD: ages 6–12, usually 25 mg once daily; ages 13–17, 50 mg once daily. Specialist supervision is recommended.
Common side effects
- Nausea, diarrhea, or indigestion
- Headache or dizziness
- Sleep problems or drowsiness
- Sexual problems
Important warnings
- May increase suicidal thoughts, especially in young people early in treatment or after dose changes.
- Do not stop suddenly; withdrawal symptoms can occur.
- Seek urgent care for severe agitation, fever, confusion, or muscle stiffness.
- May increase bleeding risk and trigger mania in people with bipolar disorder.
Pregnancy
Use during pregnancy requires weighing benefits and risks; late-pregnancy use may cause temporary newborn symptoms.
Breastfeeding
Sertraline usually produces low breast-milk levels; monitor infants for feeding or behavioral changes.
Interactions
- MAO inhibitors and linezolid can cause dangerous serotonin toxicity.
- Other serotonin-raising medicines, including tramadol and some migraine drugs, increase serotonin toxicity risk.
- Blood thinners and NSAIDs may increase bleeding.
- Pimozide should not be combined with sertraline.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.