How sertraline works
The active ingredient sertraline belongs to the group of “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors” (SSRIs): it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin into its storage cells. This increases the amount of free and thus active serotonin, which has a mood-lifting, activating and anxiety-relieving effect.
According to current knowledge, this balance of neurotransmitters is often disturbed in people suffering from depressive disorders. Symptoms such as dejection, insomnia and anxiety occur, making it difficult for the person affected to actively participate in normal everyday life.
Absorption, degradation and excretion
When is sertraline used?
The indications for the use of sertraline include:
- depressive disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorders
- anxiety disorders
- panic disorders
- post-traumatic stress disorder
How sertraline is used
At the beginning of therapy, sertraline mainly has a drive-increasing effect, while the mood-lifting effect usually sets in later. For this reason, people who have suicidal thoughts must also be given a sedative drug at the beginning of therapy. This can be discontinued as soon as sertraline has had a sufficient mood-lifting effect.
What are the side effects of sertraline?
The most common sertraline side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea), dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, headache, dry mouth, and in men, delayed ejaculation. They occur in more than ten percent of those treated.
What should I be aware of when taking sertraline?
Contraindications
The active substance sertraline must not be used at the same time as antidepressants from the group of monoaminooxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors such as tranylcypromine, moclobemide or selegiline), as this can lead to an increase in serotonin concentration that is harmful to the brain. Signs of such intoxication (serotonin syndrome) are states of agitation, trembling, muscle rigidity, temperature rise and clouding of consciousness.
Special caution is generally required for patients with epilepsy. This also applies to people suffering from glaucoma. Sertraline rarely interferes with certain blood cells, such as platelets. In the case of an increased bleeding tendency, doctors therefore weigh the benefits and risks particularly carefully.
Interactions
Alcohol consumption should be avoided during treatment with sertraline.
Pregnancy and lactation
The active substance is one of the antidepressants of choice in women during pregnancy and lactation. There is a great deal of experience regarding its use in these patient groups. In the case of depression requiring treatment, therapy with sertraline should be continued unchanged.
Age restrictions
Sertraline has an approval for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder for children 6 years of age and older.
Children and adolescents suffering from a depressive disorder should not be treated with sertraline. In this case, fluoxetine is available as a first-line agent from the age of 8 years.
How to obtain medication with sertraline
How long has sertraline been known?
Sertraline was approved in Germany as early as 1997. It is therefore considered a well-tested antidepressant and is used as the drug of choice for depressive disorders.
