The University College of London—led clinical trial is touted as the largest-ever placebo-controlled trial of an antidepressant that was not funded by the pharmaceutical industry. The study also included a wide range of patients, including those with mild-to-moderate symptoms. Essentially, the study found that sertraline did not appear to improve depressive symptoms, which include low mood, loss of pleasure, and poor concentration, within 6 weeks, although weak evidence indicated those results by 12 weeks.
In fact, participants who took sertraline were twice as likely as those who took a placebo to say their mental health had improved. Overall, researchers say the results support the continued prescribing of sertraline and other similar antidepressants for people experiencing depressive symptoms.
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. In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you are worried. A "black-box warning" refers to a serious notice made by the FDA about a medication.
The black-box warning for Zoloft indicates it may cause or increase thoughts of suicide in children and young adults. Monitor your loved one, or yourself if you're in this age group, for any signs of such thoughts, and seek help immediately if they occur. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Taking Zoloft may put you at risk for a rare, possibly life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This risk is higher if you are also taking other serotonin-related medications like triptans a common migraine medication , tricyclic antidepressants, or the pain medication Ultram tramadol.
But the syndrome can occur when taking Zoloft alone, as well. Signs and symptoms of this condition include:. To be proactive in avoiding this rare syndrome, be sure to tell your doctor all the medications you are taking, including any over-the-counter drugs or supplements.
There is an increased chance of bleeding when taking Zoloft along with medications that block platelets or medications that thin your blood. Notify your doctor right away of any bleeding events, like nosebleeds or increased bruising.
Seek medical attention immediately if you notice more serious bleeding events, such as blood in your stool. Zoloft can trigger a hypomanic or manic episode in a person with bipolar disorder. Before taking Zoloft, tell your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed or suspected of having bipolar disorder, or have a family history of it. In severe cases, hyponatremia can lead to seizures and other serious neurologic and medical issues.
Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia include:. While not common, if you take Zoloft and develop signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction like rash, hives, swelling, or problems breathing, contact your doctor right away.
You should inform your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Zoloft or are planning a pregnancy. Zoloft use in the third trimester may increase a baby's chance of developing complications like a rare condition known as persistent pulmonary hypertension, which can cause breathing problems. In addition, third-trimester use of Zoloft may cause neonatal withdrawal symptoms. However, some women may need to continue taking Zoloft during pregnancy because the benefit of treating their illness outweighs the potential risks.
Overall, this decision requires a careful and thoughtful discussion with both an obstetrician and mental health professional. Low levels of Zoloft may be present in breast milk, so lactating parents should consult with their doctors before nursing while taking this medication.
Breastfeeding is typically encouraged unless there is a medical reason for the parent to avoid breastfeeding. Try to take your Zoloft at the same time every day. Setting a timer on your phone may be helpful so you don't forget. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is too close to your next dose. Many people who experience nausea and other side effects from sertraline opt to take it at night in order to limit these side effects.
Since sertraline can interfere with sleep in a small percentage of users, many people also opt to take sertraline in the morning. Sertraline does not appear to be significantly affected by food, meaning you can take it after a meal or on an empty stomach, as long as you do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice.
As long as you take sertraline at the same time every day, you should notice the full effects of the medication without any absorption issues. Sertraline has a half-life of approximately 26 hours , meaning it will usually reach half of its total concentration about one day after you take it. It takes approximately 5. When used as a treatment for depression, doctors typically recommend using sertraline for up to one year after your depression symptoms end.
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.
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