Source: Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) Revision Year: 2019 Publisher: Accord Healthcare Limited, Sage House, 319 Pinner Road, North Harrow, Middlesex HA1 4HF, United Kingdom
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Concomitant treatment with irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) is contraindicated due to the risk of serotonin syndrome with symptoms such as agitation, tremor and hyperthermia. Sertraline must not be initiated for at least 14 days after discontinuation of treatment with an irreversible MAOI. Sertraline must be discontinued for at least 7 days before starting treatment with an irreversible MAOI (see section 4.5).
Concomitant intake of pimozide is contraindicated (see section 4.5).
The development of potentially life-threatening syndromes like serotonin syndrome (SS) or Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) has been reported with SSRIs, including treatment with sertraline. The risk of SS or NMS with SSRIs is increased with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs (including other serotonergic antidepressants, amphetamines, triptans), with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (including MAOIs), antipsychotics and other dopamine antagonists. Patients should be monitored for the emergence of signs and symptoms of SS or NMS syndrome (see section 4.3).
There is limited controlled experience regarding the optimal timing of switching from SSRIs, antidepressants or anti-obsessional drugs to sertraline. Care and prudent medical judgment should be exercised when switching, particularly from long-acting agents such as fluoxetine.
Co-administration of sertraline with other drugs which enhance the effects of serotonergic neurotransmission such as amphetamines, tryptophan or fenfluramine or 5-HT agonists, or the herbal medicine, St John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum), should be undertaken with caution and avoided whenever possible due to the potential for a pharmacodynamic interaction.
Cases of QTc prolongation and Torsade de Pointes (TdP) have been reported during post-marketing use of sertraline. The majority of reports occurred in patients with other risk factors for QTc prolongation/TdP. Therefore sertraline should be used with caution in patients with risk factors for QTc prolongation.
Manic/hypomanic symptoms have been reported to emerge in a small proportion of patients treated with marketed antidepressant and anti-obsessional drugs, including sertraline. Therefore sertraline should be used with caution in patients with a history of mania/hypomania. Close surveillance by the physician is required. Sertraline should be discontinued in any patient entering a manic phase.
Psychotic symptoms might become aggravated in schizophrenic patients.
Seizures may occur with sertraline therapy: sertraline should be avoided in patients with unstable epilepsy and patients with controlled epilepsy should be carefully monitored. Sertraline should be discontinued in any patient who develops seizures.
Depression is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, self harm and suicide (suicide-related events). This risk persists until significant remission occurs. As improvement may not occur during the first few weeks or more of treatment, patients should be closely monitored until such improvement occurs. It is general clinical experience that the risk of suicide may increase in the early stages of recovery.
Other psychiatric conditions, for which sertraline is prescribed, can also be associated with an increased risk of suicide- related events. In addition, these conditions may be co-morbid with major depressive disorder. The same precautions observed when treating patients with major depressive disorder should therefore be observed when treating patients with other psychiatric disorders.
Patients with a history of suicide-related events, or those exhibiting a significant degree of suicidal ideation prior to commencement of treatment are known to be at greater risk of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts, and should receive careful monitoring during treatment. A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled clinical trials of antidepressant drugs in adult patients with psychiatric disorders showed an increased risk of suicidal behaviour with antidepressants compared to placebo in patients less than 25 years old.
Close supervision of patients and in particular those at high risk should accompany drug therapy especially in early treatment and following dose changes. Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be alerted about the need to monitor for any clinical worsening, suicidal behaviour or thoughts and unusual changes in behaviour and to seek medical advice immediately if these symptoms present.
Sertraline should not be used in the treatment of children and adolescents under the age of 18 years, except for patients with obsessive compulsive disorder aged 6-17 years old. Suicide-related behaviours (suicide attempt and suicidal thoughts), and hostility (predominantly aggression, oppositional behaviour and anger) were more frequently observed in clinical trials among children and adolescents treated with antidepressants compared to those treated with placebo. If, based on clinical need, a decision to treat is nevertheless taken; the patient should be carefully monitored for appearance of suicidal symptoms. In addition only clinical evidence is available concerning, long-term safety data in children and adolescents concerning growth, sexual maturation and cognitive and behavioural developments. A few cases of retarded growth and delayed puberty have been reported post-marketing. The clinical relevance and causality are yet unclear (see section 5.3 for corresponding preclinical safety data). Physicians must monitor paediatric patients on long term treatment for abnormalities in these body systems.
There have been reports of bleeding abnormalities with SSRIs including cutaneous bleeding (ecchymoses and purpura) and other hemorrhagic events such as gastrointestinal or gynaecological bleeding, including fatal haemorrhages. Caution is advised in patients taking SSRIs, particularly in concomitant use with drugs known to affect platelet function (e.g. anticoagulants, atypical antipsychotics and phenothiazines, most tricyclic antidepressants, acetylsalicylic acid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) as well as in patients with a history of bleeding disorders (see section 4.5).
Hyponatraemia may occur as a result of treatment with SSRIs or SNRIs including sertraline. In many cases, hyponatraemia appears to be the result of a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Cases of serum sodium levels lower than 110 mmol/l have been reported.
Elderly patients may be at greater risk of developing hyponatraemia with SSRIs and SNRIs. Also patients taking diuretics or who are otherwise volume-depleted may be at greater risk (see Use in elderly). Discontinuation of sertraline should be considered in patients with symptomatic hyponatraemia and appropriate medical intervention should be instituted. Signs and symptoms of hyponatraemia include headache, difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, confusion, weakness and unsteadiness which may lead to falls. Signs and symptoms associated with more severe and/or acute cases have included hallucination, syncope, seizure, coma, respiratory arrest, and death.
Withdrawal symptoms when treatment is discontinued are common, particularly if discontinuation is abrupt (see section 4.8). In clinical trials, among patients treated with sertraline, the incidence of reported withdrawal reactions was 23% in those discontinuing sertraline compared to 12% in those who continued to receive sertraline treatment.
The risk of withdrawal symptoms may be dependent on several factors including the duration and dose of therapy and the rate of dose reduction. Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), agitation or anxiety, nausea and/or vomiting, tremor and headache are the most commonly reported reactions. Generally these symptoms are mild to moderate; however, in some patients they may be severe in intensity. They usually occur within the first few days of discontinuing treatment, but there have been very rare reports of such symptoms in patients who have inadvertently missed a dose. Generally these symptoms are self-limiting and usually resolve within 2 weeks, though in some individuals they may be prolonged (2-3 months or more). It is therefore advised that sertraline should be gradually tapered when discontinuing treatment over a period of several weeks or months, according to the patient’s needs (see section 4.2).
The use of sertraline has been associated with the development of akathisia, characterised by a subjectively unpleasant or distressing restlessness and need to move often accompanied by an inability to sit or stand still. This is most likely to occur within the first few weeks of treatment. In patients who develop these symptoms, increasing the dose may be detrimental.
Sertraline is extensively metabolised by the liver. A multiple dose pharmacokinetic study in subjects with mild, stable cirrhosis demonstrated a prolonged elimination half life and approximately three-fold greater AUC and Cmax in comparison to normal subjects. There were no significant differences in plasma protein binding observed between the two groups. The use of sertraline in patients with hepatic disease must be approached with caution. If sertraline is administered to patients with hepatic impairment, a lower or less frequent dose should be considered. Sertraline should not be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see section 4.2).
Sertraline is extensively metabolised, and excretion of unchanged drug in urine is a minor route of elimination. In studies of patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30-60 ml/min) or moderate to severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 10-29 ml/min), multiple-dose pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC0-24 or Cmax) were not significantly different compared with controls. Sertraline dosing does not have to be adjusted based on the degree of renal impairment.
Over 700 elderly patients (>65 years) have participated in clinical studies. The pattern and incidence of adverse reactions in the elderly was similar to that in younger patients. SSRIs or SNRIs including sertraline have however been associated with cases of clinically significant hyponatraemia in elderly patients, who may be at greater risk for this adverse event (see Hyponatraemia in section 4.4).
In patients with diabetes, treatment with an SSRI may alter glycaemic control. Insulin and/or oral hypoglycaemic dosage may need to be adjusted.
There are no clinical studies establishing the risks or benefits of the combined use of ECT and sertraline.
The administration of sertraline with grapefruit juice is not recommended (see section 4.5).
False-positive urine immunoassay screening tests for benzodiazepines have been reported in patients taking sertraline. This is due to lack of specificity of the screening tests. False-positive test results may be expected for several days following discontinuation of sertraline therapy. Confirmatory tests, such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, will distinguish sertraline from benzodiazepines.
SSRIs including sertraline may have an effect on pupil size resulting in mydriasis. This mydriatic effect has the potential to narrow the eye angle resulting in increased intraocular pressure and angle-closure glaucoma, especially in patients pre-disposed. Sertraline should therefore be used with caution in patients with angle-closure glaucoma or history of glaucoma.
Irreversible MAOIs (e.g. selegiline):
Sertraline must not be used in combination with irreversible MAOIs such as selegiline. Sertraline must not be initiated for at least 14 days after discontinuation of treatment with an irreversible MAOI. Sertraline must be discontinued for at least 7 days before starting treatment with an irreversible MAOI (see section 4.3).
Reversible, selective MAO-A inhibitor (moclobemide):
Due to the risk of serotonin syndrome, the combination of sertraline with a reversible and selective MAOI, such as moclobemide, should not be given. Following treatment with a reversible MAO-inhibitor, a shorter withdrawal period than 14 days may be used before initiation of sertraline treatment. It is recommended that sertraline should be discontinued for at least 7 days before starting treatment with a reversible MAOI (see section 4.3).
Reversible, non-selective MAOI (linezolid):
The antibiotic linezolid is a weak reversible and non-selective MAOI and should not be given to patients treated with sertraline (see section 4.3).
Severe adverse reactions have been reported in patients who have recently been discontinued from an MAOI (e.g. methylene blue) and started on sertraline, or have recently had sertraline therapy discontinued prior to initiation of an MAOI. These reactions have included tremor, myoclonus, diaphoresis, nausea, vomiting, flushing, dizziness, and hyperthermia with features resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome, seizures, and death.
Increased pimozide levels of approximately 35% have been demonstrated in a study of a single low dose pimozide (2 mg). These increased levels were not associated with any changes in EKG. While the mechanism of this interaction is unknown, due to the narrow therapeutic index of pimozide, concomitant administration of sertraline and pimozide is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
The co-administration of sertraline 200 mg daily did not potentiate the effects of alcohol, carbamazepine, haloperidol, or phenytoin on cognitive and psychomotor performance in healthy subjects; however, the concomitant use of sertraline and alcohol is not recommended.
See section 4.4.
Caution is also advised with fentanyl (used in general anaesthesia or in the treatment of chronic pain), other serotonergic drugs (including other serotonergic antidepressants, amphetamines, triptans), and with other opiate drugs.
The risk of QTc prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias (e.g. TdP) may be increased with concomitant use of other drugs which prolong the QTc interval (e.g. some antipsychotics and antibiotics) (see section 4.4).
Lithium:
In a placebo-controlled trial in normal volunteers, the co-administration of sertraline with lithium did not significantly alter lithium pharmacokinetics, but did result in an increase in tremor relative to placebo, indicating a possible pharmacodynamic interaction. When co-administering sertraline with lithium, patients should be appropriately monitored.
Phenytoin:
A placebo-controlled trial in normal volunteers suggests that chronic administration of sertraline 200 mg/day does not produce clinically important inhibition of phenytoin metabolism. Nonetheless, as some case reports have emerged of high phenytoin exposure in patients using sertraline, it is recommended that plasma phenytoin concentrations be monitored following initiation of sertraline therapy, with appropriate adjustments to the phenytoin dose. In addition, co- administration of phenytoin may cause a reduction of sertraline plasma levels. It cannot be excluded that other CYP3A4 inducers, e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine, St John’s Wort, rifampicin may cause a reduction of sertraline plasma levels.
Triptans:
There have been rare post-marketing reports describing patients with weakness, hyperreflexia, incoordination, confusion, anxiety and agitation following the use of sertraline and sumatriptan. Symptoms of serotonergic syndrome may also occur with other products of the same class (triptans). If concomitant treatment with sertraline and triptans is clinically warranted, appropriate observation of the patient is advised (see section 4.4).
Warfarin:
Co-administration of sertraline 200 mg daily with warfarin resulted in a small but statistically significant increase in prothrombin time, which may in some rare cases unbalance the INR value.
Accordingly, prothrombin time should be carefully monitored when sertraline therapy is initiated or stopped.
Other drug interactions, digoxin, atenolol, cimetidine:
Co-administration with cimetidine caused a substantial decrease in sertraline clearance. The clinical significance of these changes is unknown. Sertraline had no effect on the beta-adrenergic blocking ability of atenolol. No interaction of sertraline 200 mg daily was observed with digoxin.
Drugs affecting platelet function:
The risk of bleeding may be increased when medicines acting on platelet function (e.g. NSAIDs, acetylsalicylic acid and ticlopidine) or other medicines that might increase bleeding risk are concomitantly administered with SSRIs, including sertraline (see section 4.4).
SSRIs may reduce plasma cholinesterase activity resulting in a prolongation of the neuromuscular blocking action of mivacurium or other neuromuscular blockers.
Drugs Metabolized by Cytochrome P450:
Sertraline may act as a mild-moderate inhibitor of CYP 2D6. Chronic dosing with sertraline 50 mg daily showed moderate elevation (mean 23%-37%) of steady-state desipramine plasma levels (a marker of CYP 2D6 isozyme activity). Clinical relevant interactions may occur with other CYP 2D6 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index like class 1C antiarrhythmics such as propafenone and flecainide, TCAs and typical antipsychotics, especially at higher sertraline dose levels.
Sertraline does not act as an inhibitor of CYP 3A4, CYP 2C9, CYP 2C19, and CYP 1A2 to a clinically significant degree. This has been confirmed by in-vivo interaction studies with CYP3A4 substrates (endogenous cortisol, carbamazepine, terfenadine, alprazolam), CYP2C19 substrate diazepam, and CYP2C9 substrates tolbutamide, glibenclamide and phenytoin. In vitro studies indicate that sertraline has little or no potential to inhibit CYP 1A2.
Intake of three glasses of grapefruit juice daily increased the sertraline plasma levels by approximately 100% in a cross-over study in eight Japanese healthy subjects. Therefore, the intake of grapefruit juice should be avoided during treatment with sertraline (see section 4.4).
Based on the interaction study with grapefruit juice, it cannot be excluded that the concomitant administration of sertraline and potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, e.g. protease inhibitors, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, telithromycin and nefazodone, would result in even larger increases in exposure of sertraline. This also concerns moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors, e.g. aprepitant, erythromycin, fluconazole, verapamil and diltiazem. The intake of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors should be avoided during treatment with sertraline.
Sertraline plasma levels are enhanced by about 50% in poor metabolizers of CYP2C19 compared to rapid metabolizers (see section 5.2). Interaction with strong inhibitors of CYP2C19, e.g. omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine cannot be excluded.
There are no well controlled studies in pregnant women. However, a substantial amount of data did not reveal evidence of induction of congenital malformations by sertraline. Animal studies showed evidence for effects on reproduction probably due to maternal toxicity caused by the pharmacodynamic action of the compound and/or direct pharmacodynamic action of the compound on the foetus (see 5.3).
Use of sertraline during pregnancy has been reported to cause symptoms, compatible with withdrawal reactions, in some neonates, whose mothers had been on sertraline. This phenomenon has also been observed with other SSRI antidepressants. Sertraline is not recommended in pregnancy, unless the clinical condition of the woman is such that the benefit of the treatment is expected to outweigh the potential risk.
Neonates should be observed if maternal use of sertraline continues into the later stages of pregnancy, particularly the third trimester. The following symptoms may occur in the neonate after maternal sertraline use in later stages of pregnancy: respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnoea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycaemia, hypertonia, hypotonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability, lethargy, constant crying, somnolence and difficulty in sleeping. These symptoms could be due to either serotonergic effects or withdrawal symptoms. In a majority of instances the complications begin immediately or soon (<24 hours) after delivery.
Epidemiological data have suggested that the use of SSRIs in pregnancy, particular in late pregnancy, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn (PPHN). The observed risk was approximately 5 cases per 1000 pregnancies. In the general population 1 to 2 cases of PPHN per 1000 pregnancies occur.
Published data concerning sertraline levels in breast milk show that small quantities of sertraline and its metabolite N- desmethylsertraline are excreted in milk. Generally negligible to undetectable levels were found in infant serum, with one exception of an infant with serum levels about 50% of the maternal level (but without a noticeable health effect in this infant). To date, no adverse effects on the health of infants nursed by mothers using sertraline have been reported, but a risk cannot be excluded. Use in nursing mothers is not recommended unless, in the judgment of the physician, the benefit outweighs the risk.
Animal data did not show an effect of sertraline on fertility parameters (see section 5.3.). Human case reports with some SSRIs have shown that an effect on sperm quality is reversible. Impact on human fertility has not been observed so far.
Clinical pharmacology studies have shown that sertraline has no effect on psychomotor performance. However, as psychotropic drugs may impair the mental or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery, the patient should be cautioned accordingly.
Nausea is the most common undesirable effect. In the treatment of social anxiety disorder, sexual dysfunction (ejaculation failure) in men occurred in 14% for sertraline vs 0% in placebo. These undesirable effects are dose dependent and are often transient in nature with continued treatment.
The undesirable effects profile commonly observed in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with OCD, panic disorder, PTSD and social anxiety disorder was similar to that observed in clinical trials in patients with depression.
Table 1 displays adverse reactions observed from postmarketing experience (frequency not known) and placebo-controlled clinical trials (comprising a total of 2542 patients on sertraline and 2145 on placebo) in depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD and social anxiety disorder.
Some adverse drug reactions listed in Table 1 may decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment and do not generally lead to cessation of therapy.
Table 1. Adverse Reactions:
Frequency of adverse reactions observed from placebo-controlled clinical trials in depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD and social anxiety disorder. Pooled analysis and postmarketing experience (frequency not known).
Common: upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, rhinitis
Uncommon: gastroenteritis, otitis media
Rare: diverticulitis§
Uncommon: neoplasm
Rare: lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia∗§, leukopenia∗§
Uncommon: hypersensitivity∗, seasonal allergy∗
Rare: anaphylactoid reaction∗
Uncommon: hypothyroidism∗
Rare: hyperprolactinaemia∗§, inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion∗§
Common: decreased appetite, increased appetite∗
Rare: hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes mellitus∗, hypoglycaemia∗, hyperglycaemia∗§, hyponatraemia∗§
Very Common: insomnia
Common: anxiety*, depression*, agitation*, libido decreased*, nervousness, depersonalisation, nightmare, bruxism*
Uncommon: suicidal ideation/behaviour, psychotic disorder∗, thinking abnormal, apathy, hallucination*, aggression*, euphoric mood*, paranoia
Rare: conversion disorder∗§, paroniria∗§, drug dependence, sleep walking, premature ejaculation
Very Common: dizziness, headache*, somnolence
Common: tremor, movement disorders (including extrapyramidal symptoms such as hyperkinesia, hypertonia, dystonia, teeth grinding or gait abnormalities), paraesthesia*, hypertonia*, disturbance in attention, dysgeusia
Uncommon: amnesia, hypoaesthesia*, muscle contractions involuntary*, syncope*, hyperkinesia*, migraine*, convulsion*, dizziness postural, coordination abnormal, speech disorder
Rare: coma*, akathisia (see section 4.4), dyskinesia, hyperaesthesia, cerebrovascular spasm (including reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and Call-Fleming syndrome)∗§, psychomotor restlessness∗§ (see section 4.4), sensory disturbance, choreoathetosis§, also reported were signs and symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome∗ or neuroleptic malignant syndrome: In some cases associated with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs that included agitation, confusion, diaphoresis, diarrhoea, fever, hypertension, rigidity and tachycardia§
Common: visual disturbance∗
Uncommon: mydriasis∗
Rare: scotoma, glaucoma, diplopia, photophobia, hyphaema∗§, pupils unequal∗§, vision abnormal§, lacrimal disorder
Common: tinnitus∗
Uncommon: ear pain
Common: palpitations∗
Uncommon: tachycardia∗,cardiac disorder
Rare: myocardial infarction∗§, Torsade de Pointes∗§(see sections 4.4 and 4.5), bradycardia, QTc prolongation∗ (see sections 4.4 and 4.5)
Common: hot flush∗
Uncommon: abnormal bleeding (such as gastrointestinal bleeding)∗, hypertension∗, flushing, haematuria∗
Rare: eripheral ischaemia
Common: yawning∗
Uncommon: dyspnoea, epistaxis∗, bronchospasm*
Rare: hyperventilation, interstitial lung disease∗§, laryngospasm, dysphonia, stridor∗§, hypoventilation, hiccups
Very Common: nausea, diarrhoea, dry mouth
Common: dyspepsia, constipation*, abdominal pain*, vomiting*, flatulence
Uncommon: melaena, tooth disorder, oesophagitis, glossitis, haemorrhoids, salivary hypersecretion, dysphagia, eructation, tongue disorder
Rare: mouth ulceration, pancreatitis∗§, haematochezia, tongue ulceration, stomatitis
Rare: hepatic function abnormal, serious liver events (including hepatitis, jaundice and hepatic failure)
Common: hyperhidrosis, rash*
Uncommon: periorbital oedema*, urticaria*, alopecia*, pruritus*, purpura*, dermatitis, dry skin, face oedema, cold sweat
Rare: rare reports of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR): e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome∗ and epidermal necrolysis∗§, skin reaction∗§, photosensitivity§, angioedema, hair texture abnormal, skin odour abnormal, dermatitis bullous, rash follicular
Common: back pain, arthralgia∗, myalgia
Uncommon: osteoarthritis, muscle twitching, muscle cramps∗, muscular weakness
Rare: rhabdomyolysis∗§, bone disorder
Frequency Not Known: trismus*
Uncommon: pollakiuria, micturition disorder, urinary retention, urinary incontinence*, polyuria, nocturia
Rare: urinary hesitation*, oliguria
Very Common: ejaculation failure
Common: menstruation irregular∗, erectile dysfunction
Uncommon: sexual dysfunction, menorrhagia, vaginal haemorrhage, female sexual dysfunction
Rare: galactorrhoea*, atrophic vulvovaginitis, genital discharge, balanoposthitis∗§, gynaecomastia∗, priapism*
Very Common: fatigue*
Common: malaise*, chest pain*, asthenia∗, pyrexia∗
Uncommon: oedema peripheral*, chills, gait disturbance∗, thirst
Rare: hernia, drug tolerance decreased
Common: weight increased∗
Uncommon: alanine aminotransferase increased*, aspartate aminotransferase increased*, weight decreased*
Rare: blood cholesterol increased∗, abnormal clinical laboratory results, semen abnormal, altered platelet function∗§
Common: injury
Rare: vasodilation procedure
∗ ADR identified post-marketing
§ ADR frequency represented by the estimated upper limit of the 95% confidence interval using “The Rule of 3”.
Discontinuation of sertraline (particularly when abrupt) commonly leads to withdrawal symptoms. Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), agitation or anxiety, nausea and/or vomiting, tremor and headache are the most commonly reported. Generally these events are mild to moderate and are self-limiting; however, in some patients they may be severe and/or prolonged. It is therefore advised that when sertraline treatment is no longer required, gradual discontinuation by dose tapering should be carried out (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).
SSRIs or SNRIs including sertraline have been associated with cases of clinically significant hyponatraemia in elderly patients, who may be at greater risk for this adverse event (see section 4.4).
In over 600 paediatric patients treated with sertraline, the overall profile of adverse reactions was generally similar to that seen in adult studies. The following adverse reactions were reported from controlled trials (n=281 patients treated with sertraline):
Very common (≥1/10): Headache (22%), insomnia (21%), diarrhoea (11%) and nausea (15%).
Common (≥1/100 to <1/10): Chest pain, mania, pyrexia, vomiting, anorexia, affect lability, aggression, agitation, nervousness, disturbance in attention, dizziness, hyperkinesia, migraine, somnolence, tremor, visual disturbance, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nightmare, fatigue, urinary incontinence, rash, acne, epistaxis, flatulence.
Uncommon (≥1/1000 to <1/100): ECG QT prolonged, suicide attempt, convulsion, extrapyramidal disorder, paraesthesia, depression, hallucination, purpura, hyperventilation, anaemia, hepatic function abnormal, alanine aminotransferase increased, cystitis, herpes simplex, otitis externa, ear pain, eye pain, mydriasis, malaise, haematuria, rash pustular, rhinitis, injury, weight decreased, muscle twitching, abnormal dreams, apathy, albuminuria, pollakiuria, polyuria, breast pain, menstrual disorder, alopecia, dermatitis, skin disorder, skin odour abnormal, urticaria, bruxism, flushing.
Frequency not known: enuresis
Epidemiological studies, mainly conducted in patients 50 years of age and older, show an increased risk of bone fractures in patients receiving SSRIs and TCAs. The mechanism leading to this risk is unknown.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme. Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Not applicable.
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