DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM:
Sertraline 100 mg belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
Other drugs in this class are Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Celexa (citalopram) and Luvox (fluvoxamine).
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) produced by nerve cells in the brain that is used by the nerves
to communicate with one another. A nerve releases the serotonin it produces into the space surrounding it.
The serotonin either travels across the space and attaches to receptors on the surface of nearby nerves or it attaches
to receptors on the surface of the nerve that produced it, to be taken up by the nerve and released again
(a process referred to as re-uptake). A balance is reached for serotonin between attachment to the nearby nerves and
reuptake. Selective serotonin inhibitors block the reuptake of serotonin and therefore change the level of serotonin in
the brain. It is believed that some illnesses such as depression are caused by disturbances in the balance
between serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
The leading theory is that drugs such as Sertraline 100 mg restore the chemical balance among neurotransmitters in the brain.
Sertraline 100 mg was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in December, 1991.
STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 15-30°C (59-86°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR:
Sertraline 100 mg is a drug that is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder,
and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Like other SSRIs, Sertraline 100 mg also is used for treating social anxiety disorder and postmenstrual dysphoric disorder.
DOSAGE:
* The recommended dose of Sertraline is 25-200 mg once daily.
Treatment usually is started at 25-50 once daily and then increased at weekly intervals until the desired response is seen.
Sertraline 100 mg may be taken with or without food.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Serious reactions such as hyperthermia, fluctuations in blood pressure and rigidity of muscles may occur when SSRIs
are used in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine (Parnate) and
isocarboxazid. Therefore, SSRIs should not be used in combination with MAOIs.
In addition, SSRIs and MAOIs should not be used within 14 days of each other.
Cimetidine may increase the levels in blood of Sertraline 100 mg by reducing the elimination of Sertraline 100 mg by the liver.
Increased levels of Sertraline 100 mg may lead to more side effects.
Sertraline 100 mg increases the blood level of pimozide (Orap) by 40%.
High levels of pimozide can affect electrical conduction in the heart and lead to sudden death.
Therefore, patients should not receive treatment with both pimozide and Sertraline 100 mg .
Through unknown mechanisms, Sertraline 100 mg may increase the blood thinning action of warfarin.
The effect of warfarin should be monitored when Sertraline 100 mg is started or stopped.
* PREGNANCY: Sertraline 100 mg 's safety in pregnancy has not been established.
* NURSING MOTHERS: Use of Sertraline 100 mg by nursing mothers has not been adequately evaluated.
SIDE EFFECTS:
* The most common side effects of Sertraline 100 mg are :
- sleepiness,
- nervousness,
- insomnia,
- dizziness,
- nausea,
- tremor,
- skin rash,
- upset stomach,
- loss of appetite,
- headache,
- diarrhea,
- abnormal ejaculation,
- dry mouth and weight loss.
* Important side effects of Sertraline 100 mg are:irregular heartbeats, allergic reactions and activation of mania in patients with bipolar disorder.
If Sertraline 100 mg is discontinued abruptly, some patients experience symptoms such as abdominal cramps,
flu like symptoms, fatigue and memory impairment.
Although this reaction is not well established, it is reasonable to gradually reduce the dose when therapy is discontinued.
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