Sertraline
- Article Author:
- Hardeep Singh
- Article Editor:
- Abdolreza Saadabadi
- Updated:
- 3/21/2020 10:22:55 PM
- For CME on this topic:
- Sertraline CME
- PubMed Link:
- Sertraline
Indications
Sertraline is an antidepressant used as a first-line treatment of major depressive disorder. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved other indications for sertraline, including the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
There are many off-label, non-FDA-approved uses for sertraline. Sertraline has been used to treat many psychiatric conditions, including binge eating disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, bulimia nervosa, generalized anxiety disorder, and premature ejaculation.[1][2][3]
Mechanism of Action
Sertraline is an antidepressant medication within the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) class. Sertraline is an antidepressant with primarily inhibitory effects on presynaptic serotonin reuptake. This inhibition of serotonin reuptake results in an accumulation of serotonin. Serotonin in the central nervous system plays a role in the regulation of mood, personality, and wakefulness, which is why blocking serotonin reuptake is thought to be beneficial in disorders such as major depression. Sertraline also has minimal effects on norepinephrine and dopamine uptake, and research has shown that it has more dopaminergic activity compared to other medications in the same SSRI class. Sertraline's mechanism of action makes it highly efficacious when used in the treatment of various psychiatric conditions.[4][5][2]
Administration
Sertraline is orally administered once daily in the morning or evening. If the patient experiences somnolence with sertraline, administer in the evening. Available dosages in the oral tablet form are 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and solution form 20mg/ml. The absorption of sertraline may be improved when taken with food.[6]
Per FDA recommendation, the starting dose for major depressive disorder is 50 mg/day, but for PTSD, PD and ASD are 25mg/day. The sertraline dose increase in 50 mg/day increments at weekly intervals up to a maximum of 200 mg/day. Sertraline dosing is generally once daily, and administration may be at any time of the day.[7]
Adverse Effects
SSRIs, considered a newer class of antidepressants, are better tolerated compared to tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The primary side effects of sertraline include syncope, lightheadedness, diarrhea, nausea, sweating, dizziness, xerostomia, confusion, hallucinations, tremor, somnolence, impotence, a disorder of ejaculation, fatigue, rhinitis, and female sexual disorder.
There is a bleeding risk associated with sertraline, as it may inhibit platelet aggregation.
Sertraline can prolong the QT interval; however, the prolongation is dose-dependent and is very modest. Furthermore, this risk is higher in citalopram rather than sertraline or other SSRIs.
Sertraline may rarely produce symptoms of serotonin syndrome, though this generally happens when combining it with another serotonergic medication. These symptoms include myoclonus, muscle rigidity, diaphoresis, tremor, hyperreflexia, agitated delirium, and hyperthermia.
Sertraline, like other antidepressants, may increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults with major depression.
Sertraline use requires caution in patients 65 years and older. It is identified in the Beers Criteria as a high-risk medication in geriatric patients, as it may induce a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone or hyponatremia.[5][8][9][10]
Sertraline use in the first trimester of pregnancy had an increased risk of cardiovascular-related malformations such as atrial and/or ventricular septal defects in infants.[11]
Contraindications
Sertraline is contraindicated in patients with documented hypersensitivity to the drug or its components. The coadministration of sertraline with thioridazine, pimozide, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including linezolid or methylene blue, is also contraindicated. Patients who are taking other serotonergic medications should receive education regarding the risks of coadministration with sertraline. Sertraline is contraindicated with disulfiram only in solution form as it contains 12% alcohol, and it may cause an alcohol-disulfiram reaction.
Sertraline therapy should not start within two weeks of discontinuing any monoamine oxidase inhibitor to prevent toxicity with serotonin syndrome.
There is a US black box warning for use in pediatric patients and young adults. Use with caution in patients who are ages 18 to 24 years old due to the risk of an increase in suicidal ideation.[12]
Monitoring
It is essential to monitor patients for unusual changes in behavior, anxiety, suicidality, or any other clinical signs of worsening illness. Regularly evaluate for depression and suicidality, especially when changing the dose of sertraline. Sertraline may also precipitate mania in patients who are at risk for bipolar disorder. Monitor for symptoms of mania in patients who are started on sertraline, especially if they have a family history of mania or bipolar disorder.
Monitor for abnormal bleeding, adverse effects of medication use, or withdrawal symptoms from abrupt discontinuation in patients taking sertraline. The abnormal bleeding may primarily occur if used concurrently with aspirin, NSAIDs, warfarin, or other anticoagulants, as sertraline may impair platelet aggregation and cause bruising, epistaxis, or hemorrhage.
For geriatric patients, monitor for changes in mental status, and check their sodium concentration regularly due to the risk of SIADH or hyponatremia.
Sertraline is considered safe in patients with a history of myocardial infarction, heart failure, and other cardiac conditions. However, due to the minor effect of QT prolongation, it may be of benefit the provider to monitor the QT interval with electrocardiograms.
Sertraline is also considered safe in pregnancy and with breastfeeding. Although not mandatory, therapeutic drug monitoring may be a consideration to ensure the safety of pregnant patients and infants who may have exposure to the medication.[13][14][15][16][17]
Toxicity
The overdose of sertraline is generally well-tolerated. Sertraline toxicity may result in serotonin syndrome, resulting in myoclonus, muscle rigidity, diaphoresis, tremor, hyperreflexia, agitated delirium, and hyperthermia. Treatment of serotonin syndrome requires discontinuing the medication and supportive care. Consider antiemetics (non-serotonergic), benzodiazepines, and standard cooling measures for symptom relief. The patient can also receive serotonin antagonists such as cyproheptadine. If there is severe toxicity and the patient develops muscular rigidity and hyperthermia with body temperatures higher than 41 degrees C, consider sedation, endotracheal intubation, external cooling, and neuromuscular paralysis. It is important to note that antipyretics are likely not beneficial to patients experiencing hyperthermia due to serotonin syndrome.[18]
Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
Healthcare providers who often prescribe sertraline include primary care physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and others, all functioning as an interprofessional team. All members of the healthcare team must follow the patient regularly to monitor for the reduction of symptoms or any adverse effects. All providers should be knowledgeable of the medication's contraindications, adverse effects, and interactions with other drugs. It is also essential to educate all patients who are prescribed sertraline on the possible adverse effects, as well as on the prevention and recognition of toxicity due to sertraline (in combination with other serotonergic drugs). Patient education regarding medication use and compliance will improve outcomes and ensure patient safety.
Patient safety can also be improved when dosing adjustments are taken into consideration by health care professionals who are a part of a patient's care team. Elderly patients may need dosing adjustments, as they may tolerate lower doses better. Patients with medical conditions affecting their liver may also need decreased doses for better tolerability.
Clinicians require vigilance regarding the toxic effects of serotonergic medications and ensure not to prescribe multiple medications that can cause serotonin syndrome, which is possible by preventing polypharmacy and minimizing unnecessary use of these drugs; this is one of the areas where the pharmacist can provide valuable input to the team as they monitor and verify the patient's medication regimen as well as monitor dosing of sertraline and other drugs. Furthermore, should a patient need to be switched to a different serotonergic medication, physicians and other members of the healthcare team must ensure that no new medication starts until at least two weeks after the discontinuation of sertraline.[18] Nursing can play a significant role in this type of monitoring, ensuring patient compliance, providing counsel, and assessing both therapeutic effectiveness and being aware of potential adverse drug reactions, and alerting the team of any concerns. Only with this type of cohesive interprofessional team coordination can sertraline therapy provide an optimal therapeutic benefit while minimizing adverse events. [Level 5]