Sertraline treats several conditions, namely: depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premature ejaculation (PE).
When it comes to treating premature ejaculation, finding the exact cause is key to treatment. Though the exact cause may not be known, in many cases, serotonin could play a role. Serotonin is a chemical that plays a key role in many body functions. High levels of serotonin helps increase ejaculation time, whereas low levels of serotonin can shorten it and lead to premature ejaculation.
Several studies on men and women taking antidepressants documented that they tend to have delayed orgasms. Fluoxetine, clomipramine, paroxetine, and sertraline (among others) affect serotonin levels. Doctors then began to prescribe these drugs “off-label” for the treatment of premature ejaculation. However, this medication will only be made available to you with a doctor’s prescription.
Medications for premature ejaculation can be taken either daily or just before sex. But what most doctors suggest is one dose at least 4-8 hours before sexual activity. If Sertraline is taken daily, it could have some adverse effects and the possibility for drug interactions could increase. Our Caredocnow physicians DO NOT recommend using Sertraline on a daily basis, preferring an “an needed” only approach to treatment.
Always store Sertraline within a closed container at a room temperature, away from direct light, heat, and moisture.
Drug interactions with Sertraline may be likely, and is more common if Sertraline is taken on a daily basis. At Caredocnow, we do NOT recommend the daily use of Sertraline for Premature Ejacultation. There are cases where medicines used simultaneously could create an interaction, and in some instances, even two different medicines may be used together despite an interaction that the drugs could cause. This would be determined by your doctor, including extra precautions necessary and any change in dosage that will be given to you. When taking Sertraline, it is critical for your healthcare provider to know if you are also taking any one of the medicines listed herein. These interactions have been selected based on potential significance only and are not all-inclusive.
Taking Sertraline with any one of these medicines could create more side effects, however, in some cases, using both drugs would still be the best treatment for your case. Both medicines may be prescribed to you together, but it is your doctor who will determine any changes in the dosage or how frequently you need to take one or both of them:
Using Sertraline with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines:
Make sure to NOT take sertraline with any of these: phenelzine [Nardil®], monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (e.g., isocarboxazid [Marplan®], tranylcypromine [Parnate®]), selegiline[Eldepryl®]
Make sure to NOT start sertraline within 2 weeks after you stop any MAO inhibitor. Just wait 2 weeks after stopping sertraline before taking an MAO inhibitor. If you take them together or do not wait for 2 weeks, you may be at risk of developing confusion, agitation, restlessness, sudden high body temperature, stomach or intestinal symptoms, severe convulsions, and high blood pressure
Sertraline could cause a serious condition known as Serotonin Syndrome if taken with some medicines. Do NOT use sertraline with any of the following: fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), St. John’s wort, linezolid (Zyvox®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, buspirone (Buspar®), methylene blue injection, or some migraine or pain relief medicines (e.g., rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®). Always check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines with Sertraline.
Setraline could be extremely sensitive and may trigger suicidal thoughts in some children, teenagers, and young adults. Inform your doctor once you start feeling more depressed, and thoughts that encourage self-harm. Take note and report thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that bother you, especially if they are unusual, new, or escalate quickly. Also make sure that the doctor knows in case you find trouble sleeping, or that you get easily upset, get a huge boost in energy, or start acting recklessly. If you have sudden, strong feelings that make you feel angry, nervous, restless, violent, or scared, let your doctor know. In case you or anyone in your family has bipolar disorder (manic-depressive) or has tried committing suicide, relay this information to your doctor as well.
Sertraline could cause hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood), although this is more common amongst elderly patients, mostly the people taking diuretic medicines for high blood pressure, or people with small amounts of fluid in the body caused by severe diarrhea or vomiting. Consult with your doctor immediately in case you have trouble concentrating, experience headaches, confusion, weakness, memory problems, or general unsteadiness.
Sertraline could also affect blood sugar levels. For diabetic patients who notice a change in your blood or glucose urine test results, consult with your doctor right away. Additionally, patients taking Sertraline should not be drinking alcohol.
Sertraline causes some people to have trouble with thinking and comprehension, easily become drowsy, and encounter problems with movement. For your safety, don’t use this medicine before conducting activities such as driving, using machineries, and any other activity that could become hazardous if you’re not well-coordinated or highly alert.
Before conducting any medical tests, inform the doctor in charge regarding your use of this medicine. Some of the lab test results could end up affected by this particular medicine.