Sertraline
Sertraline Medical Valley contains the active substance sertraline. Sertraline belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); these medicines are used to treat depressive disorders and/or anxiety disorders.
Depression is a disease characterized by symptoms of feeling sad, difficulty sleeping or feeling pleasure in life.
OCD and anxiety disorders with panic attacks (panic anxiety) are anxiety-related diseases, feeling constant anxiety due to persistent thoughts (obsessions) that cause repetitive rituals (compulsive actions).
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can occur after a very traumatic experience and is characterized by symptoms similar to depression and anxiety.
Social anxiety (social phobia) is an anxiety-related disease. It is characterized by a feeling of intense anxiety or stress in social situations (such as talking to strangers, speaking in front of a group of people, eating or drinking in the presence of others or worrying about potentially embarrassing behavior).
The doctor has decided that this medicine is suitable for the treatment of the disease in the patient.
The patient should consult a doctor if they are not sure why they are taking Sertraline Medical Valley.
Before starting treatment with Sertraline Medical Valley, the patient should discuss it with their doctor or pharmacist.
Medicines do not always suit everyone. The patient should tell their doctor before taking Sertraline Medical Valley if they currently have or have had any of the following conditions:
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition where the patient experiences recurring thoughts (obsessions) that cause repetitive behaviors (compulsive actions).
The doctor should discuss the best way to stop treatment with the patient.
Psychomotor restlessness/Akathisia:
Sertraline use has been associated with the occurrence of a state characterized by psychomotor restlessness and a compulsion to move - often with an inability to sit or stand still (akathisia). This condition usually occurs within the first few weeks of treatment. Increasing the dose of the medicine may be harmful, so if the patient experiences such symptoms, they should tell their doctor.
Withdrawal symptoms:
After stopping treatment, side effects often occur, especially if treatment is stopped suddenly (see section 3 "Stopping Sertraline Medical Valley" and section 4 "Possible side effects"). The risk of withdrawal symptoms depends on the duration of treatment, dosage, and rate of dose reduction. These symptoms are usually mild or moderate, but in some patients, they can be severe.
They usually occur within the first few weeks after stopping treatment. They usually resolve on their own within two weeks, but in some patients, they can persist for longer (for 2-3 months or longer). If the patient decides to stop treatment with sertraline, it is recommended to gradually reduce the dose over several weeks or months, and the patient should discuss the best way to stop treatment with their doctor.
Suicidal thoughts, worsening of depression or anxiety
Patients with depression or anxiety disorders may sometimes have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Such symptoms or behavior may worsen at the beginning of treatment with antidepressant medications, as these medications usually start working after two weeks, sometimes later.
Suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or suicidal behavior are more likely if:
If the patient experiences suicidal thoughts or self-harm, they should contact their doctor or go to the hospital immediately.
It may be helpful to inform relatives or friends about the depression or anxiety disorder and ask them to read this leaflet. The patient may ask relatives or friends for help and ask them to inform them if they notice that the depression or anxiety has worsened or if there are worrying changes in behavior.
Sexual dysfunction:
Medicines like Sertraline Medical Valley (SSRIs) may cause symptoms of sexual dysfunction (see section 4). In some cases, these symptoms have persisted after stopping treatment.
Essentially, sertraline should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age, except for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In patients under 18 years of age, there is an increased risk of side effects such as suicidal attempts, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts (suicidal thoughts) and hostility (mainly aggressive, defiant, and angry behavior), during treatment with medicines from this group.
However, the doctor may decide to prescribe Sertraline Medical Valley to a patient under 18 years of age if it is in the patient's best interest. If the doctor prescribes Sertraline Medical Valley to a patient under 18 years of age and the child's caregiver wants to discuss it with them, they should contact the doctor. Moreover, if any of the above symptoms occur or worsen while taking Sertraline Medical Valley, the caregiver should inform the doctor. In a long-term observational study lasting three years with over 900 children aged 6-16 years, the safety of long-term use of sertraline was evaluated in terms of its effect on growth, maturation, learning (cognitive function), and behavior. Overall, the study results showed that children treated with sertraline developed normally, except for a small increase in body weight in children treated with a higher dose.
The patient should tell their doctor or pharmacist about all medicines they are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines they plan to take, including those available without a prescription.
Some medicines may affect the way Sertraline Medical Valley works or Sertraline Medical Valley may reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
Taking Sertraline Medical Valley at the same time as the following medicines may cause serious side effects:
The patient should inform their doctor if they are taking any of the following medicines:
The patient should not drink alcohol while taking Sertraline Medical Valley.
Sertraline should not be taken at the same time as grapefruit juice, as it may increase the level of sertraline in the body.
If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks they may be pregnant, or plans to have a child, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
The safety of sertraline in pregnant women has not been fully established. Sertraline can be used in pregnant women only if the doctor considers that the benefits of the medicine outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.
Taking Sertraline Medical Valley at the end of pregnancy may increase the risk of severe bleeding from the vagina, which can occur shortly after delivery, especially if the patient has a history of bleeding disorders. If the patient is taking Sertraline Medical Valley, they should inform their doctor or midwife so that they can provide the patient with appropriate advice.
Medicines like Sertraline Medical Valley, taken by pregnant women, especially during the last three months, may increase the risk of a serious disease in the newborn called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), which causes rapid breathing and blue discoloration of the skin. These symptoms usually appear within the first day of life. If such symptoms occur, the patient should contact the midwife and/or doctor immediately.
Newborns may also experience other symptoms, which usually appear within the first 24 hours after birth. These symptoms include:
If the newborn experiences any of these symptoms or if their condition is worrying, the patient should contact the doctor or midwife, who will be able to provide advice.
There is evidence that sertraline passes into human milk. The medicine can be used in breastfeeding women if the doctor considers that the benefits of the medicine outweigh the potential risks to the baby.
In animal studies, some medicines similar to sertraline have been shown to decrease sperm quality. This could theoretically affect fertility, although no effect on fertility has been observed in humans so far.
Psychotropic medicines, such as sertraline, can affect driving or operating machinery. The patient should wait until they know how the medicine affects them before performing these activities.
The medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per coated tablet, which means that the medicine is considered "sodium-free".
The patient should always take this medicine exactly as their doctor or pharmacist has told them. If they are not sure, they should ask their doctor or pharmacist.
The usual effective dose for the treatment of depression and OCD is 50 mg/day. The daily dose can be increased gradually by 50 mg at intervals of at least one week for several weeks. The maximum recommended dose is 200 mg/day.
Treatment of anxiety disorders with panic attacks (panic anxiety), social phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder should be started with a dose of 25 mg/day, which can be increased to 50 mg/day after one week. The daily dose can then be increased gradually by 50 mg at intervals of several weeks. The maximum recommended dose is 200 mg/day.
Sertraline Medical Valley can be used only in the treatment of children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Children aged 6-12 years:the recommended initial dose is 25 mg/day. After one week, the doctor may increase the dose to 50 mg/day. The maximum dose is 200 mg/day.
Adolescents aged 13-17 years:the recommended initial dose is 50 mg/day. The maximum dose is 200 mg/day.
Patients with liver or kidney disease should inform their doctor and follow their advice.
Method of administration:
Sertraline Medical Valley coated tablets can be taken with or without food.
The medicine should be taken once a day, in the morning or evening.
The doctor will inform the patient how long they should take the medicine. The treatment period depends on the type of disease and the patient's response to treatment. Improvement of symptoms may start only after several weeks of treatment. Usually, treatment of depression should be continued for six months from the time of improvement.
If the patient accidentally takes too much Sertraline Medical Valley, they should immediately contact their doctor or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
The patient should always take the packaging with the label with them, regardless of whether there is medicine left in it or not.
Overdose symptoms may include: drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, muscle tremors, agitation, dizziness, and in rare cases, loss of consciousness.
The patient should not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If the patient forgets to take a tablet, they should not take the missed tablet. They should simply take the next tablet at the right time.
The patient should not stop taking Sertraline Medical Valley unless their doctor tells them to. The doctor will advise the patient to gradually reduce the dose of Sertraline Medical Valley over several weeks until they finally stop taking it. If the patient suddenly stops taking the medicine, they may experience side effects such as dizziness, numbness, sleep disturbances, agitation or anxiety, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and muscle tremors. If the patient experiences any of these side effects or any other side effects after stopping Sertraline Medical Valley, they should contact their doctor.
If the patient has any further questions about the use of this medicine, they should ask their doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The most common side effect is nausea. Side effects depend on the dose and usually disappear or decrease as treatment continues.
If the patient experiences any of the following symptoms after taking this medicine, as they can be serious.
The following side effects have been observed in clinical trials in adult patients and after the medicine was marketed:
and others
*Side effects reported after the medicine was marketed
In clinical trials with children and adolescents, side effects were generally similar to those in adults (see above). The most common side effects in children and adolescents were headaches, insomnia, diarrhea, and nausea.
After suddenly stopping treatment with this medicine, side effects may occur, such as dizziness, numbness, sleep disturbances, agitation or anxiety, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and muscle tremors (see section 3 "Stopping Sertraline Medical Valley").
An increased risk of bone fractures has been observed in patients taking medicines from this group.
If the patient experiences any side effects, including any side effects not listed in this leaflet, they should tell their doctor or pharmacist. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety, Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products:
Jerozolimskie Avenue 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, phone: 22 49-21-301, fax: 22 49-21-309,
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
Reporting side effects will help to gather more information on the safety of this medicine.
The medicine should be stored out of the sight and reach of children.
The patient should not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and blister after EXP.
The expiry date refers to the last day of the month stated.
Blister: Do not store above 25°C.
Bottle: No special storage precautions.
The active substance of the medicine is sertraline. Each tablet contains 50 mg, 100 mg, or 150 mg of sertraline (as sertraline hydrochloride).
The other ingredients of the medicine are:
Tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose (PH 101), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (type A), hydroxypropylcellulose-, calcium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium stearate.
Coating:
50 mg tablets (Opadry II Orange 85F93265)
Polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolyzed
Titanium dioxide (E 171)
Macrogol
Talc
Yellow iron oxide (E 172)
Red iron oxide (E 172)
100 mg tablets (Opadry II 85F18422 White):
Polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolyzed
Titanium dioxide (E 171)
Macrogol
Talc
150 mg tablets (Opadry II Blue 85F505120):
Polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolyzed
Titanium dioxide (E 171)
Macrogol
Talc
Indigo carmine, aluminum lake (E 132)
50 mg coated tablets: orange, oval, biconvex tablets with a dividing line on both sides of the tablet. The tablet dimensions are approximately 10 x 5 mm. The dividing line on the tablet is for identification purposes only and is not intended to divide the tablet into equal doses.
100 mg coated tablets: white, oval, biconvex, smooth tablets with dimensions of approximately 12 x 6 mm.
150 mg coated tablets: blue, oval, biconvex, smooth tablets with dimensions of approximately 13 x 8 mm.
PVC/Aluminum blisters in a cardboard box.
50 mg tablets are available in packs of 20, 30, 50, 90, or 100 tablets.
100 mg tablets are available in packs of 20, 30, 50, or 100 tablets.
150 mg tablets are available in packs of 7 or 14 tablets.
A plastic bottle containing silica gel as a desiccant in a cardboard box.
50 mg tablets are available in packs of 30, 32, 90, 100, 105, 112, or 250 tablets.
100 mg tablets are available in packs of 30, 32, 90, 100, 105, 112, 210, or 250 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Medical Valley Invest AB
Brädgårdsvägen 28
236 32 Höllviken
Sweden
email: safety@medicalvalley.se
Laboratorios Liconsa, S.A.
Avda. Miralcampo, Nº 7
Polígono Industrial Miralcampo
19200 Azuqueca de Henares (Guadalajara)
Spain
Denmark: Sertraline "Medical Valley"
Netherlands: Sertraline Xiromed 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg film-coated tablets
Iceland: Sertraline Medical Valley 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg film-coated tablets
Germany: Sertralin AXiromed 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg film-coated tablets
Norway: Sertraline Medical Valley
Poland: Sertraline Medical Valley
Sweden: Sertraline Medical Valley 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg film-coated tablets
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