Sertraline is an antidepressant medication, generally indicated for the treatment of depression, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, post-traumatic stress, among other cases. Why is it useful? In this Psychology-Online article, we are going to talk about Sertraline to understand what it is for, what its effects are and the recommended dose of this drug. It is also interesting to know how Sertraline works in the brain, in addition to knowing its possible side effects.
What is Sertraline used for?
Sertraline is a medication classified as antidepressant indicated for the treatment of the following cases:
- . Depression, whether moderate or severe, is associated with the following symptoms: depressed mood, persistent loss of interest or pleasure, fatigue, lack of attention, negative thoughts or suicidal ideas, psychomotor disturbances, changes in weight, appetite and sleep. There are also cases in which symptoms of anxiety, insomnia or melancholy are also present.
- . Dysthymia is a type of chronic depression, since the individual’s mood is persistent, presenting a constant depressed mood. Dysthymia is considered when symptoms such as loss of satisfaction last for at least two years.
- . Postpartum depression occurs in adolescent or adult women who experience sadness, anxiety, irritability, and crying for days after the baby is born.
- . Seasonal affective disorder is about annual episodes that begin in the fall or early winter. Some people feel morning fatigue, hypersomnia, and increased appetite every year at the same time.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder refers to the phase that precedes menstruation. They are symptoms that come and go shortly after the start of menstruation. These are symptoms such as irritability, variable mood, anxiety, sleep and appetite disturbances, fluid retention, breast tenderness and other physical symptoms.
- . In obsessive-compulsive disorder, the individual presents recurring thoughts, that is, obsessive thoughts, which often cause anxiety for the person. And also rituals that are behaviors that are repeated over and over again, that is, compulsively and whose function is to reduce this anxiety.
- . Anxiety disorder presents with symptoms such as: feeling nervous or tense, increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, tremors, sleeping problems, gastrointestinal problems, difficulty controlling worries and avoidance of situations that generate anxiety.
It is important to explain that these are some examples of symptoms in which the use of Sertraline may be indicated as treatment. In fact, only qualified health professionals are authorized to prescribe it, who will then evaluate the case and the need for use.
What effect does sertraline have on the brain?
What effects does sertraline produce? Sertraline is a substance that exerts its antidepressant effect by inhibiting serotonin reuptake in the central nervous system.
But what does that mean? It means that in our brain there is a substance called . Serotonin is responsible for making us feel happy and well-being. So, Sertraline will act on that substance increasing its availability and thus relieving depressive and anxious symptoms. In this article, you will find more information about .
How do you know if sertraline works? Let’s look at the positive effects of sertraline. The expected effect when using Sertraline is a reduction of symptoms on the part of the individual. Depressive and anxious symptoms will decrease with the use of Sertraline. For individuals who suffer from sleep problems, Sertraline will also act by offering the patient a better sleep quality. In relation to humor, the patient will feel more motivated to carry out their activities. And he will also feel a reduced feelings of fear and panic which are symptoms related to anxiety or depression.
We can also take into account that Sertraline is a substance that does not cause dependence, unlike other drugs available on the market for the treatment of depression and other disorders. In addition, we can mention that Sertraline can be used by postpartum women, as long as it is recommended by their doctor.
Side effects of Sertraline
It is important to remember that, like all medications, Sertraline can also present side effects, among them, we can mention episodes of insomnia, nausea, diarrhea and headaches. On the other hand, these effects do not force the individual to stop treatment, as long as they inform the doctor about them.
What is the recommended dose of sertraline
Sertraline is recommended to be taken in single daily dose in the morning or evening, but preferably at the same time to promote compliance with the treatment. Food intake does not alter its absorption, so you can eat or not before taking it.
The initial dose may be 25 mg or 50 mg per day, but who will make the dose adjustment will be the psychiatrist. It is important to understand that, when starting treatment, the individual must undergo medical follow-up to be able to adjust the dose when necessary, and also so that the professional can evaluate the response that the body is giving to the use of the substance.
In the following articles, you will see more information about:
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- American Psychiatric Association. (2014). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Porto Alegre: Artmed.
- Keller M., Kocsis J., (1998). Maintenance Phase Efficacy of Sertraline for Chronic Depression. A Randomized Controlled Trial, JAMA .Vol 280, No. 19: 1665-1672.
- Net Medicine. Bula Sertraline. (2021). Recovered from: https://bula.medicinanet.com.br/bula/detalhes/4693/reacoes_adversas_sertralina.htm