Indications

Approved

Sertraline is used medically mainly to treat the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is also prescribed for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), panic disorder (PD)and social phobia/social anxiety disorder.

Unapproved, off-label, and investigational

Sertraline can also be used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, binge eating disorder , and premature ejaculation.

There is also evidence that sertraline may be effective in the treatment of refractory neurocardiogenic syncope in children and adolescents.

A study has shown that sertraline is an effective treatment for impulsive aggressive behaviour in personality disordered patients.

Side effects

Sertraline can have adverse effects, including: Sleep disorder (both insomnia and increased sleep time) , asthenia, gastrointestinal complaints, tremors, confusion, dizziness, anorgasmia, nauseua/vomiting, and decreased libido; it can induce mania or hypomania in around 0.5% of patients. It has also been known to cause minor weight loss. It is contraindicated in individuals taking MAOIs or undergoing electroconvulsive therapy.

Until 2003, Zoloft was only approved for use in adults ages 18 and over; that year it was approved by the FDA for use in treating children ages 6 to 17 with extreme obsessive compulsive disorder. In June 2004, Britain banned Zoloft's use by minors and in February 2005, Pfizer was forced to change Zoloft's labeling to include information regarding increased incidences of suicidal behaviour and depression in adolescent users of the drug. According to mentalhealth.com, Zoloft is not currently recommended or advised for use in individuals under the age of 18. After these changes, multiple incidences and at least one medical study showed an increased suicide risk in seniors who were taking Zoloft. In response to these findings, the FDA released a public health warning. This warning indicates that anyone currently using Zoloft for any reason has a greater chance of exhibiting suicidal thoughts or behaviours regardless of age. This warning is questionable, however, due to the types of illnesses Zoloft is used to treat, it is impossible to determine if these tendencies are a side effect of the drug or the illness the drug is meant to treat. Zoloft should still truly be only recommended in rather persistent cases as drugs such as these are still in the arena of the unknown.

Zoloft has long been seen as the best option for breastfeeding mothers who wish to continue breastfeeding and be able to take their antidepressants. Despite its apparent safety and effectiveness during the breastfeeding period, recent studies and consumer complaints have seen a need to alter Zoloft's labeling regarding use during the third trimester of pregnancy. Though there are no teratogenetic defects associated with Zoloft, there is reason to be concerned about its effects on infants who were exposed to sertraline during the third trimester in utero. It seems that Zoloft use in late pregnancy significantly increases the potential need for hospitalization and breathing assistance in the newborn period and has also been shown to cause an increased risk of neonatal death. In light of this increased risk it is still being used due to the greater potential risk of a seriously depressed mother to herself and her foetus. Like all other medications Zoloft's use must be decided only after carefully weighing out all potential risks and benefits.

Formulations

Sertraline is manufactured by Pfizer and sold as Zoloft in the United States as small green 25 mg tablets, blue 50 mg tablets, and yellow 100 mg tablets (Generic 100 mg sertraline tablets are also yellow), each of which is scored to allow easy halving.

In the UK, the brand name is Lustral and is available in white 50 mg or 100 mg scored tablets, according to the British National Formulary (BNF). Elsewhere in the EU the brand name is Zoloft, available in white 50 mg or 100 mg scored tablets. In Australia, only the 50 mg and 100 mg strengths are available, both as white tablets.

Sertraline is an odourless, white, sparingly soluble crystalline solid. The minimum effective dose is usually 50 mg per day (it can be still effective at 25 mg or 37.5 mg), but lower doses may be used in the initial weeks of treatment to acclimate the patient's body, especially the liver, to the drug and to minimize the severity of any side effects. Patients who do not experience relief of symptoms at 50 mg a day may have their dose increased, up to 200 mg a day.

The patent for this brand-name drug expired in June 2006. The drug is now available in generic form in the United States. The generic version of the drug is being produced by Israeli drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. In Scandinavia a generic drug called Sertralin, manufactured by HEXAL, is available. The price differences between Zoloft and Sertralin are as much as 1.50 dollars per pill. In India, this drug is sold under the name Zosert.

Precautions

Liver impairment can affect the elimination of this drug from the body. If someone with liver impairment is treated with sertraline, lower or less frequent dosage should be used.

Patients should limit their alcohol intake while on sertraline (or any antidepressant). Because the liver is doubly taxed with processing both substances (in addition to any other drugs the patient may be taking), alcohol remains in the bloodstream longer, so the effects of alcohol may be more strongly and quickly felt by people taking sertraline or other antidepressants.

According to some studies grapefruit juice might interfere with the metabolisation of sertraline, increasing its concentration in the blood.

People 80 years or older should be started on 25 mg initial dose.

Dopamine

Sertraline appears to also be a minor dopamine reuptake inhibitor. At higher dosages (300 mg/day), sertraline inhibits the reuptake of dopamine as well as serotonin.

Discontinuation Syndrome

Zoloft, along with other SSRIs, has been associated with a "cessation syndrome." This syndrome has both somatic and psychological elements, although SSRIs fall short of being classified as addictive. This non-addictive classification stems from the fact persons given the drug will not seek it out in ever-increasing quantities.

Although Zoloft is defined as non-habit forming, the existence of SSRI discontinuation syndrome often necessitates a gradual tapering of one's prescribed dose when seeking to stop SSRI therapy.

The prescription insert for Zoloft describes the potential side effects SSRI discontinuation as follows:

"During marketing of Zoloft and other SSRIs and SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), there have been spontaneous reports of adverse events occurring upon discontinuation of these drugs, particularly when abrupt, including the following: dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (eg. paraesthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, and hypomania. While these events are generally self-limiting, there have been reports of serious discontinuation symptoms."