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Zoloft
Indications:
Studies have shown that
children and teenagers who take antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as
sertraline may be more likely to think about harming or killing themselves
or to plan or try to do so than children who do not take antidepressants.If
your child’s doctor has prescribed sertraline for your child, you should
watch his or her behavior very carefully, especially at the beginning of
treatment and any time his or her dose is increased or decreased.
Zoloft,Sertraline, is used to treat depression,
obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and
the need to perform certain actions over and over), panic attacks (sudden,
unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks),
posttraumatic stress disorder (disturbing psychological symptoms that
develop after a frightening experience), and social anxiety disorder
(extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others
that interferes with normal life). It is also used to relieve the symptoms
of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, including mood swings, irritability,
bloating, and breast tenderness. Sertraline is in a class of medications
called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by
increasing the amounts of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that
helps maintain mental balance.
Usage:
Sertraline comes as a tablet and
a concentrate (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily in
the morning or evening. To treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder, sertraline
is taken once a day, either every day of the month or on certain days of the
month. To help you remember to take sertraline, take it around the same time
every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and
ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Take sertraline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take
it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Sertraline concentrate must be
diluted before use. Immediately before taking it, use the provided dropper
to remove the amount of concentrate your doctor has directed you to take.
Mix the concentrate with 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of water, ginger ale, lemon or
lime soda, lemonade, or orange juice. Do not mix the concentrate with any
liquids other than the ones listed. Drink immediately.
special precautions:
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tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to
sertraline or any other medications. Before taking sertraline liquid
concentrate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex.
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do not take sertraline if you are taking monoamine
oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including phenelzine (Nardil) and
tranylcypromine (Parnate), or have stopped taking them within the past two
weeks, or if you are taking pimozide (Orap).
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do not take disulfiram (Antabuse) while taking
sertraline concentrate.
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tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription
and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and
herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following:
anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin);
antidepressants (mood elevators) such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine
(Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin,
Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor),
protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); aspirin and other
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cimetidine (Tagamet);
diazepam (Valium); digoxin (Lanoxin); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
medications for anxiety, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, and
seizures; medications for irregular heartbeat such as flecainide (Tambocor)
and propafenone (Rythmol); oral medications for diabetes such as
tolbutamide (Orinase); sedatives; sleeping pills; sumatriptan (Imitrex);
and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your
medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
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tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or
has ever had depression, bipolar disorder (mood that changes from
depressed to abnormally excited), or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited
mood), or if you or anyone in your family has thought about or attempted
suicide. Also tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack and
if you have or have ever had seizuresor liver or heart disease.
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tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become
pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking
sertraline, call your doctor.
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you should know that sertraline may make you drowsy. Do
not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication
affects you.
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ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic
beverages while you are taking sertraline.
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you should know that your mental health may change in
unexpected ways, especially at the beginning of your treatment and at any
time your dose is increased or decreased. These changes may occur at any
time if you have depression or other mental illness, whether or not you
are taking sertraline or any other medication. You, your family, or your
caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the
following symptoms: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or
killing yourself or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation;
panic attacks; difficulty falling or staying asleep; irritability;
aggressive behavior; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; and
frenzied abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows
which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are
unable to seek treatment on your own.
side effects:
Sertraline, Zoloft, may cause
side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not
go away:
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upset stomach
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diarrhea
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constipation
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vomiting
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dry mouth
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gas or bloating
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loss of appetite
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weight changes
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drowsiness
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dizziness
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excessive tiredness
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headache
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pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
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excitement
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nervousness
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shaking hands that you cannot control
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difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
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sore throat
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changes in sex drive or ability
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excessive sweating
Some side effects can be serious. The
following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those
listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
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