Adults can be prescribed sertraline for depression or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Children can only be prescribed sertraline for OCD from age 6 upwards. It can only be prescribed for children on specialist advice.
Allergy warning
Do not take sertraline if you have had an allergic reaction to any medicines.
Non-urgent advice: Talk to your GP before you start to take sertraline if you:
- have a heart problem as sertraline can speed up or change your heartbeat
- have ever taken any other medicines for depression - some rarely used antidepressants can interfere with sertraline to cause very high blood pressure
- have epilepsy or had seizures (fits) in the past
- have the eye problem glaucoma - sertraline can increase the pressure in your eye
- are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding
- have a history of bleeding disorders or often develop bruises
- have liver disease
Diabetes and sertraline
Check your blood sugar more often for the first few weeks of taking sertraline, if you have diabetes.
Sertraline can make it more difficult to keep your blood sugar stable. Your GP may adjust your diabetes treatment if necessary.
Pregnancy and sertraline
Sertraline can be taken in pregnancy. But some studies suggest that sertraline can affect the development of a baby's heart. The risk is very small.
Sertraline has been linked to a very small increase in health risks for your unborn baby. Some of these problems can be serious.
Do not stop taking your medicine unless your GP tells you to.
Non-urgent advice: Talk to your GP:
- if you become pregnant while taking sertraline
- about the risks and benefits of sertraline while pregnant
Your GP can help you decide which treatment is best for you and your baby.
Breastfeeding and sertraline
Sertraline passes into breast milk in tiny amounts. This is not known to cause side effects in breastfed babies. But it is possible your baby may experience side effects.
You should continue taking sertraline to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.
Non-urgent advice: Talk to your GP or public health nurse as soon as possible if:
- your baby is not feeding as well as usual
- your baby seems unusually sleepy
- you are worried about your baby
Contraception and fertility
Sertraline does not affect contraceptive pills or the morning-after pill.
Sertraline will not affect your fertility.
Your sperm quality might be reduced while you are taking sertraline.
Talk to your GP if you have concerns.
Non-urgent advice: Talk to your GP if you're:
- trying to get pregnant
- pregnant
- breastfeeding