The high prevalence of depressive pathologies, their combination with psychotic and neurotic disorders give rise to many different forms of neurological diseases. Such ailments need effective antidepressants. In modern conditions, the main requirements for the drugs are excellent exposure, excellent tolerance, minimum side effects. One of these medicines is Sertraline. Instructions for use indicate that the preparation combines the necessary degree of safety and a high level of thymoanaleptic effectiveness.
Drug description
Sertralin Medication is a reference for use as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Most often, such a medication is recommended for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD).
According to a study conducted in 2009, the medicine "Sertraline" was included in the four of the best antidepressants of the last generation.
The drug is produced exclusively in the form of tablets.
The medicine is not addictive in patients. He does not have a withdrawal syndrome. Tablets do not provoke drug dependence. In addition, this antidepressant is not an m-anticholinergic, psychostimulant and sedative. The Sertralin preparation does not adversely affect the functioning of the heart muscle.
This medicine does not provoke an increase in patient weight. This property of the drug compares favorably with various tricyclic antidepressants.
Quite quickly, the beneficial effect of treatment with Sertraline tablets is observed. Instructions for use, patient reviews indicate that excellent performance is noticeable already 7-8 days after the start of therapy. This effect increases by 14-30 days. And maximum performance is achieved after 3 months.
Indications for use
Antidepressant is a fairly effective medication. It is often used by doctors to treat a wide variety of depressive conditions. However, patients should clearly understand that this medication is prescribed exclusively by a doctor.
Sertraline tablets are recommended for use by patients who have:
- various forms of depression;
- conditions accompanied by high anxiety;
- post-traumatic stress disorder;
- OCD;
- panic disorders (and conditions accompanied by agoraphobia).
Dosage funds
The recommended amount of the drug depends on the pathology diagnosed in the patient and his condition. Therefore, it is important that the treatment regimen is painted by a specialist.
The drug "Sertralin" recommends use for use according to the following rules:
- Tablets are taken once a day. They are used either in the morning or in the evening.
- Taking the medication does not depend on eating.
- With OCD, depression is prescribed at 50 mg per day.
- In case of panic disorders or conditions caused by post-traumatic stress, it is recommended to start treatment with 25 mg per day. After 1 week, the doctor will increase this dose to 50 mg. This treatment regimen reduces the likelihood of side effects in the early stages of therapy.
- If the dose of 50 mg for the patient was insufficient and did not bring the long-awaited relief, the doctor will increase the medication. However, in this case it is important to follow a certain pattern. An increase in dose can occur only after 1 week.
- The maximum daily allowance is 200 mg.
- You can evaluate the effectiveness of the drug after 7 days. As a rule, by this time an initial favorable result is already observed.
- If the medication is prescribed for maintenance therapy for a long time, then the patient is selected a dose individually. It depends on the therapeutic effect. As soon as a favorable result is achieved, the adjustment of the medication (increase in dose) stops. The patient is prescribed the amount of the drug, which allowed to achieve improvement.
- Adolescents 13-17 years old suffering from OCD are recommended to prescribe 50 mg for initial therapy.
- Children 6-12 years of age should begin treatment with 25 mg.
- If necessary, the doctor will gradually increase the dosage. You should not do this yourself. Since the doctor, prescribing large dosages for children, takes into account the body weight of the child.
Side effects
Unfortunately, no one is safe from undesirable reactions during therapy. Although it should be noted that such manifestations are not so common.
However, one should be prepared for the fact that in some cases, the drug "Sertraline" still causes side effects.
The instruction indicates the following manifestations:
- Dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, headache, memory problems, impaired coordination of movements, paresthesia, confusion.
- Pressure surges, chest pain, anemia, palpitations, hyponatremia.
- Increased convulsive activity, hypokinesia, ataxia, dyskinesia, a variety of extrapyramidal disorders, mydriasis, nystagmus, psychosis, a sense of anxiety.
- Tachycardia, collapse are extremely rare.
- Apathy, aggression, euphoria, emotional instability, hallucinations, depersonalization, somnambulism.
- Decreased appetite, anorexia, dry mouth.
- In some cases, there is an increase in appetite, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion.
- Paranoid actions, thoughts, hypertension.
- Skin rash, redness, itching, hives, exudative erythema, swelling.
- Gastrospasm, pancreatitis, jaundice, hepatitis.
- Stomatitis, nausea, glossitis, flatulence.
- Increased sweating, arthralgia, lymphadenopathy, weight loss.
- Gynecomastia, priapism, dysmenorrhea, galactorrhea.
You should not assume that it is you who will manifest such reactions. Such manifestations are warned by the instructions attached to the Sertralin preparation. Patient reviews, on the contrary, indicate that only a few have encountered adverse reactions.
Contraindications
Sertraline antidepressant has several limitations. They are extremely important to consider. Indeed, ignoring contraindications can lead to serious and serious consequences.
The medicine is prohibited for use in the following cases:
- the presence of individual sensitivity;
- lactation period;
- children under 6 years old;
- therapy with tryptophan, fenfluramine, MAO inhibitors.
It is recommended to be especially careful when treating this drug with the following groups of people:
- Patients with neurological disorders (mental retardation, epilepsy).
- Persons in manic states.
- Patients who are diagnosed with pathologies of the kidneys, liver.
- Pregnant women.
- Persons with reduced weight or suffering from anorexia.
Overdose
Take the medicine "Sertraline" only in the amount prescribed by a specialist. If you yourself increase the dose, then the effectiveness of treatment is unlikely to be the best. But the probability of encountering overdose symptoms is very high.
Overuse of the drug leads to the development of serotonin syndrome. The patient will show the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- anxiety;
- tachycardia;
- disturbances on the electrocardiogram;
- mydriasis;
- drowsiness;
- diarrhea;
- excessive sweating;
- violent psychomotor agitation;
- hyperreflexia.
Against the background of such conditions, a person may appear emotional and behavioral changes. In some cases, suicidal tendencies, thoughts develop.
Initially, it is necessary to clear the patient’s stomach from the remains of the drug. To do this, rinse. Be sure to use the drug "Activated Carbon". It is advisable to give the patient medications that cause vomiting.
It may be necessary to ensure normal airway patency, support the functioning of the liver, heart.
Analogues of the drug
Be sure to consult a doctor if you are forbidden to take Sertralin tablets for use. Analogues of the drug can only be selected by a specialist. Therefore, do not put your health at risk.
Excellent analogues of the drug are drugs:
- Thorin.
- "Stimuloton."
- "Serenate."
- Seralin.
- "Sertraline hydrochloride."
- "Serlift."
- Zoloft.
- "Depre default."
- "Aleval."
- Asentra.
Consumer opinion
What do patients think about Sertraline? Reviews of people confirm the effectiveness of the tool. Almost all patients to whom the doctor prescribed pills claim that the medicine helped them. Patients were able to get rid of depression, panic attacks. They claim that taking the medication helped restore calm. Particularly emphasize the appearance of cheerfulness and activity.
However, there is also a category of patients who experienced side effects during treatment with Sertraline. Reviews of these people indicate the occurrence of drowsiness, dizziness, aggression. However, at the same time, patients testify that the drug helped them to get rid of the symptoms of depression.
The opinion of doctors
Psychiatrists and neuropathologists respond well about the drug "Sertralin." Reviews of doctors indicate that the medicine is able to effectively eliminate the unpleasant symptoms provoked by depressive conditions.
At the same time, doctors argue that side effects are observed in a small number of people.