SERTRALINE

By: Dwight P. Diaz

Brand name
- Apo-Sertraline, Zoloft

Generic name
- sertraline hydrochloride

Drug Classification

Therapeutic class:
Antidepressants

Pharmacologic class:
SSRIs
Actions

Sertraline is presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS

neuronal uptake of serotonin (5HT).
INDICATION
Indicated for the treatment of the major depressive
disorder (depression). This medication is also a
common prescription for the treatment of additional
mental health disorders and conditions
including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic
disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
(premenstrual dysphoric disorder) PMDD, and social
anxiety disorder.
 ROUTE/ DOSAGE/ TIME
INTERVAL

P.O. Onset Absorption

Tablets -1 week -Slow
• 25mg

• 50mg
Half-Life Excretion
-26 hours -Urine
• 100mg

Oral concentrate Peak
-4-8 hours
• 20mg/mL
 DRUG INTERACTION
• Drug-drug. Agents with antiplatelet properties ( NSAIDs,
P2yI2 inhibitors, SSRIs), aspirin, clopidogrel, heparin.
• Amphetamines, buspirone, dextromethorphan,
dihydroergotamine, lithium salts, meperidine, other SSRIs or
SSNRIs (duloxetine, venlafaxine) sumatriptan, TCAs,
tramadol, trazodone, tryptophan.
• Apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban.
• Cimetidine: May decrease clearance of sertraline.
• Disulfiram: Oral concentrate contains alcohol, which may
react react with drug.
• Fosphenytoin, phenytoin.
• Linezolid, methylene blue.
 ADVERSE EFFECT

CNS: Fatigue, headache, tremor, dizziness, insomnia, somnolence, suicidal behavior, paresthesia,
hypesthesia,
Nervousness, anxiety, agitation, hypertonia, pain.

CV: palpitations, chest pain, hot flashes.

GI: dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, loose stools, dyspepsia, vomiting, constipation, thirst, flatulence,
anorexia,
abdominal pain, decrease appetite.

GU: male sexual dysfunction, decrease libido (both genders)

Musculoskeletal: myalgia

Skin: rash, pruritus, diaphoresis.

 PRECAUTIONS/ CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to drug or it’s component’s.

• Contraindicated in patients taking pimozide or MAO inhibitors or within 14 days of

MAO inhibitor therapy.

• Oral concentrate is contraindicated with disulfiram because it contains alcohol.

• Use cautiously in patients at risk for suicide and in those with seizure disorder, major

affective disorder, or decease or conditions that affect metabolism or hemodynamic

responses.

• Sertraline isn’t approved for use in children except those with OCD.
 NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Give sertraline daily, either in the morning or evening, with or without food.

• Monitor Averse effects

• Make dosage adjustments at intervals of no less than 1 week.

• Record mood changes. Monitor patient for suicidal tendencies, and allow a minimum

supply of drug.

• Monitor patient because drug may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in

children, adolescents, and young adults with major depressive disorder or other

psychiatric disorder.