Psychiatry · SSRI
Sertraline
Dose
50 mg PO OD (25 mg in panic disorder); titrate by 50 mg every 1–2 weeks to max 200 mg/day.
Mechanism
Selective inhibition of presynaptic serotonin reuptake.
Indications
- • Major depression
- • Generalised anxiety
- • Panic disorder
- • OCD
- • PTSD
Contraindications
- • MAOI within 14 days
- • Concurrent pimozide
Use
First-line antidepressant; preferred after recent MI due to cardiac safety.
Monitoring
Suicidal ideation in first 2–4 weeks, sodium (hyponatraemia in elderly), bleeding risk with NSAIDs.
Side effects
- • Nausea, diarrhoea
- • Sexual dysfunction
- • Insomnia or somnolence
- • Hyponatraemia
- • Serotonin syndrome with MAOIs
Related in WardRound
Always confirm dose against your local formulary / BNF before prescribing.
