Sertraline: Common Side Effects

Sertraline is an antidepressant drug, which belongs to the group of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). As the term suggests, it is a drug which inhibits the action of the neurotransmitter serotonin produced by our nerve cells in the brain and nervous system. Neurotransmitters are actually chemicals which enable nerve cells to communicate with each other and serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters which is directly related to mental health. It is believed that an imbalance in the chemicals, (that is either too much or too little of a neurotransmitter) can affect a person's mental state. Sertraline is used to treat chemical imbalances which causes depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps to prevent suicidal thoughts, which is major fallout of most mental disorders.

In the year 1992, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Sertraline for treating adults, and in 2002, extended its approval for treating obsessive compulsive disorder in children over the age of 6.

Side Effects of Sertraline

Sertraline is known to have some severe side effects, with recorded instances of even death. Several medical practitioners have concluded that sertraline can cause agitation and generally non-aggressive individuals may start exhibiting aggressive behavior, which would be out of character for them. Following are some of the known side effects:

• It causes nausea, insomnia, dizziness and drowsiness.
• Akathisia, which means, inner tension, restlessness, nervousness and the inability to stay still was observed in some of the patients using sertraline.
• Gastrointestinal complications such as nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea and dyspepsia have also been experienced by sertraline users.
• Weight gain has been observed in some of the females using Sertraline.
• It is known to cause allergic reactions such as skin rashes, hives, swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat and difficulty in breathing.
• The use of this drug during pregnancy increases the odds of birth defects in the infant. Though the effects are not yet properly established, lactating women may pass small amounts of sertraline (less than 2mg/day) to their babies.
• Both women and men have experienced sexual side effects, as difficulty in achieving orgasm and arousal disorder.
• It may increase the probability of depression and suicide in people younger than 25 years of age and is known to cause irregular heartbeats.
• People diagnosed with major affective disorders are known to be at risk of activating mania or hypomania in small proportions.
• Sertraline should be used cautiously when taken in combination with any monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) class drugs, as they increase the risk of fluctuations in blood pressure, rigidity of muscles, hyperthermia and almost all the above mentioned side effects.

Sertraline Withdrawal

When the sertraline antidepressants are abruptly discontinued, people experience a discontinuation syndrome or withdrawal, which includes anxiety, agitation, irritability, fatigue, nausea or dizziness, myalgia (muscle pain), sweating, insomnia, blurred vision, vivid dreams or hallucinations, tingling or electric shock sensations. Some people may experience minimal withdrawal symptoms, which is sometimes confused with flu. These generally last for one or two weeks and decrease gradually. Therefore, it is recommended that the use of sertraline be gradually decreased under medical supervision.

Precautions in the Use of Sertraline

Sertraline side effects limit your reasoning and response time. While on this medication, it's best to avoid drinking alcohol, driving unattended and consuming other medicines that have sedatives in them. These are a few precautionary measures one can take, to decrease the side effects.

Consumption of any antidepressant, including sertraline, must be only taken for clinical reasons and strictly on the advice of a reputed psychiatrist. Care should be taken to avoid self-medication, as it could result in worsening the patient's condition.