Sertralina

About sertraline

What is sertraline used for?

Sertraline is a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It is used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

SSRIs like sertraline increase the amount of circulating serotonin available in your brain. This can help improve symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, and OCD.

An anxiety disorder is a condition where anxiety is a major symptom. Panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder are all anxiety disorders. OCD is a condition where you have recurring and persistent ideas that make you do repetitive actions.

Side effects of sertraline

The most common side effects of sertraline are:

• Feeling sleepy, dizzy or weak.

• Sentirse enfermo o estar enfermo (vómitos).

• Estreñimiento o diarrea.

• Indigestión.

• Dolor de cabeza.

• Mood changes such as feeling anxious, nervous or agitated.

• Sentirse inquieto o tembloroso.

• Flushing and sweating.

• Boca seca.

• Difficulty sleeping and bad dreams.

• Dolor de garganta.

• Sensación de hormigueo.

• Lack of concentration.

• Problemas de vista.

• Ringing noises (tinnitus).

• Bostezo.

• Swallowing problems.

• Disminución del deseo sexual (libido).

• Cambios en el apetito.

• Dolores generales.

Encontrará una lista completa en el prospecto suministrado con su medicamento. Los efectos no deseados suelen mejorar a medida que su organismo se adapta al nuevo medicamento, pero consulte a su médico o farmacéutico si alguno de los siguientes efectos persiste o se vuelve molesto.

How to manage sertraline side effects

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse a este medicamento, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

Who should not take sertraline?

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking sertraline it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• If you have a heart condition, or a liver or kidney disorder.

• Si padece epilepsia.

• Si tiene niveles elevados de azúcar en sangre (diabetes mellitus).

• Si tiene un problema ocular llamado glaucoma.

• Si ha padecido alguna vez un trastorno hemorrágico.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido un estado de ánimo anormalmente "elevado", llamado manía.

• Si está siendo tratado con terapia electroconvulsiva (TEC).

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

• Si ha tomado un antidepresivo conocido como inhibidor de la monoaminooxidasa (IMAO) en las dos semanas anteriores.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

How to take sertraline

• Read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about sertraline and will provide you with a full list of the side effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take sertraline exactly as your doctor tells you to - it is taken once daily. Most doctors recommend that it is taken either in the morning or in the evening. Try to take your doses at the same time of day each day.

  • There are two strengths of tablet available - 50 mg and 100 mg. Your doctor will tell you which strength is right for you.

• If you are being treated for an anxiety disorder, your doctor may prescribe a low dose for you to begin with, and then gradually increase it. This is because slowly increasing the dose helps to reduce the risk of side effects.

• You can take sertraline before or after food.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela en cuanto se acuerde. Si no se acuerda hasta el día siguiente, sáltese la dosis olvidada. No tome dos dosis juntas para compensar la dosis olvidada.

Getting the most from sertraline

• Procure acudir a las citas periódicas con su médico. Así podrá comprobar su evolución.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with sertraline. This is because several medicines which are available from general retail outlets can interfere with this treatment.

  • En particular, no tome la hierba de San Juan y pida consejo antes de comprar analgésicos antiinflamatorios.

• While you are taking sertraline, you may have thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life. These thoughts may also be associated with your condition. It is very important that you tell your doctor about this if it happens.

• Do not stop taking sertraline unless your doctor tells you to do so. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems and your doctor will probably want you to reduce your dose gradually when this becomes necessary.

  • El tratamiento puede durar varios meses. Esto es normal y ayuda a prevenir la recurrencia de los síntomas.

• If you have diabetes, you may need to check your blood glucose more frequently, as sertraline may affect the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will be able to advise you about this.

• A few people taking sertraline find that their skin is more sensitive to sunlight than normal. Until you know how your skin reacts, use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor (SPF) in strong sunlight.

• There are several types of antidepressants and they differ in their possible side effects. If you find that sertraline does not suit you then let your doctor know, as another may be found that will.

How to store sertraline

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos

Preguntas más frecuentes

How long does sertraline take to work?

Sertraline can take a week or two before the effect begins to build up, and 4-6 weeks before you feel the full benefit of it working. Do not stop taking it even if you feel like it is not helping.

Can I drink alcohol when taking sertraline?

Your doctor is likely to recommend that you do not drink alcohol while you are on sertraline, as it increases the risk of side effects, such as feeling sleepy. If you drink alcohol you should ask your doctor for advice.

Can I have grapefruit whilst taking sertraline?

Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are on sertraline. This is because a chemical in grapefruit juice increases the amount of sertraline in your bloodstream. This makes side effects more likely.

When do sertraline side effects start?

Side effects from sertraline often start within the first few days of taking the medicine. Some people may notice them straight away, while others find they appear after a week or so. These effects are usually mild and tend to improve as your body adjusts.