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In this Article

• What is sertraline (Zoloft)?
• What are the possible side effects of sertraline (Zoloft)?
• What is the most important information I should know about sertraline (Zoloft)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sertraline (Zoloft)?
• How should I take sertraline (Zoloft)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Zoloft)?
• What happens if I overdose (Zoloft)?
• What should I avoid while taking sertraline (Zoloft)?
• What other drugs will affect sertraline (Zoloft)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Zoloft)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Zoloft)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication. Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, agitation, tremor, confusion, seizures, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking sertraline (Zoloft)?

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of sertraline.

Do not take the liquid form of sertraline if you are taking disulfiram (Antabuse). Liquid sertraline may contain alcohol and you could have a severe reaction to the disulfiram.

Sertraline can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by sertraline.

What other drugs will affect sertraline (Zoloft)?

Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with sertraline may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Before taking sertraline, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

• tramadol (Ultram, Ultram ER, Ultracet);
• digitoxin (Crystodigin);
• phenytoin (Dilantin), valproate (Depacon, Depakene);
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• any other antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or paroxetine (Paxil);
• almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or
• heart rhythm medication such as flecainide (Tambocor), propafenone (Rhythmol), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with sertraline. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about sertraline.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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