Health Library

Sertraline (By mouth)

Sertraline (SER-tra-leen)

Treats depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. This medicine is an SSRI.

Brand Name(s):

Zoloft

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. You may need to take it for a few weeks or months before you feel better.
• Oral liquid: Use the dropper provided to remove the medicine and mix it with 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of water, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice. Drink the mixture right away. It is normal for it to look a bit hazy.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with pimozide. Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other. Do not use the oral liquid form of sertraline if you are also using disulfiram.
• Some medicines can affect how sertraline works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following:
  • Atomoxetine, buspirone, cimetidine, cisapride, desipramine, dextromethorphan, fentanyl, flecainide, lithium, meperidine, methadone, metoprolol, nebivolol, perphenazine, phenytoin, propafenone, St John's wort, tacrolimus, thioridazine, tolterodine, tramadol, venlafaxine
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • Medicine to treat infection (including erythromycin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin)
  • NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)
  • Triptan medicine for migraine headaches
  • Tryptophan supplements
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, bleeding problems, glaucoma, heart disease, heart rhythm problems, or a history of mania, seizure disorder, or stroke.
• For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Serotonin syndrome (may be life-threatening when used with certain other medicines)
  • Increased risk of bleeding problems
  • Heart rhythm problems, including QT prolongation, torsades de pointes
  • Sexual problems
• Tell your doctor if you are sensitive to latex, because the oral liquid comes with a latex rubber dropper.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching
• Eye pain, vision changes, seeing halos around lights
• Feeling more excited or energetic than usual
• Loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance, delayed or inability to have an orgasm, inability to have or keep an erection
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual mood or behavior
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, mild diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Nausea, vomiting
• Trouble sleeping

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024