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What Are the Different Types of Sertraline Tablets?

L. Whitaker
L. Whitaker

Sertraline, which is sold under the trade names Zoloft® and Lustral®, is available in the form of capsular-shaped tablets in 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg doses. The tablets may be light green, light blue, or light yellow depending on the dosage. In addition to tablets, sertraline is also available as a diluted oral solution. Sertraline hydrochloride is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat a variety of mental disorders. It can be taken with or without food.

In the United States, sertraline is available as a generic or under the brand name Zoloft®. The 25 mg Zoloft® tablets are scored on one side and have a light green film coating. Light blue sertraline tablets are 50 mg, while light yellow tablets are 100 mg.

Sertraline is sometimes prescribed to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Sertraline is sometimes prescribed to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Sertraline tablets are used to treat several serious mental health conditions. These include major depressive disorder; obsessive compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD; panic disorder with or without agoraphobia; post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD; premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, in adult females; and social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia. Sertraline is frequently contraindicated in adolescents or young children, particularly in the case of depressive disorders. In some cases, the use of antidepressant drugs for teenagers or children can result in an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Serotonin syndrome can result if sertraline is taken along with other medications that affect serotonin levels in the brain.
Serotonin syndrome can result if sertraline is taken along with other medications that affect serotonin levels in the brain.

Sertraline tablets in the form of Zoloft® have been shown to cause withdrawal symptoms in many individuals. These symptoms might include anxiety, mood changes, nausea, and shock-like symptoms in the brain. It is believed that gradually lowering the patient's dose of sertraline can result in fewer serious side effects.

Common side effects experienced by sertraline users can include drowsiness, insomnia, dry mouth, reduced appetite, sexual dysfunction, or headaches. Less commonly, some possible serious side effects are seizures, memory loss, or liver problems. Caution should be used in prescribing sertraline tablets to patients with liver disease, pregnant women, or nursing mothers.

Sertraline may intensify drowsiness, slow reflexes, and other effects of alcohol consumption.
Sertraline may intensify drowsiness, slow reflexes, and other effects of alcohol consumption.

A serious condition known as serotonin syndrome can result if sertraline is taken along with other medications that affect serotonin levels in the brain. Some of these medications include the herbal remedy St. John's wort, triptan medications that are sometimes prescribed for migraine headaches, lithium, and other medicines with similar neurotransmitter effects. Sertraline should never be used in conjunction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 14 days of use of MAOIs.

Sertraline is also sold under the brand name Zoloft.
Sertraline is also sold under the brand name Zoloft.

Sertraline also has a known drug interaction with cimetidine (brand name Tagamet®), which can increase the user's risk of serious side effects. Doctors should carefully monitor the use of warfarin (Coumadin®) when sertraline is first used. Other potentially serious drug interactions include pimozide (Orap®), which can be fatal in combination with sertraline; ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with a blood thinning effect; and alcohol, which can intensify this medication's possible side effects.

Discussion Comments

candyquilt

@turquoise-- The line to break 25mg tablets into half could also be for use during withdrawal. Sudden withdrawal from SSRIs can cause nasty symptoms. It's best to withdraw by slowly reducing the dose. I agree that a doctor has to decide on this. As far as I know though, 50mg tablets are the most commonly prescribed. Most people are told to start off with half of the tablet (so 25mg) and then increase to 50mg after a week. But I'm sure this varies based on the patient's symptoms, body weight, etc.

turquoise

@discographer-- You really ought to speak to your doctor about this.

As far as I know, the lowest dose for sertraline tablets is 25mg. That's what I'm on. I had read that this is the lowest effective dose for this medication. But now that you mentioned the line in the tablet, I checked and yes, the 25mg tablet does have a line in the middle.

This makes me wonder, why would the manufacturer put the line to break the tablet into two if 25mg is the lowest effective dose? If there is a line there, then it's obviously for the patient to take half if necessary.

Whatever I say though doesn't matter because your doctor has to decide your dose. Why don't you speak to her about it and mention your low tolerance and wanting to start out with a lower dose? I'm sure she won't say no.

discographer

So the lowest dose available for sertraline tablets is 25mg? Do these tablets have a line in the center so that they can be broken into half?

My doctor prescribed me sertraline but she prescribed 50mg. I have low tolerance to medications and I feel that this dose will be too much for me. In the past, I had severe side effects when I started medications at the recommended dose. I always have to start at a lower dose and slowly increase the dose to avoid side effects.

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    • Sertraline is sometimes prescribed to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
      By: Phase4Photography
      Sertraline is sometimes prescribed to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
    • Serotonin syndrome can result if sertraline is taken along with other medications that affect serotonin levels in the brain.
      By: snyggg.de
      Serotonin syndrome can result if sertraline is taken along with other medications that affect serotonin levels in the brain.
    • Sertraline may intensify drowsiness, slow reflexes, and other effects of alcohol consumption.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Sertraline may intensify drowsiness, slow reflexes, and other effects of alcohol consumption.
    • Sertraline is also sold under the brand name Zoloft.
      By: themalni
      Sertraline is also sold under the brand name Zoloft.
    • Researchers estimate that one in five people who take sertraline suffer from migraines.
      By: MediablitzImages
      Researchers estimate that one in five people who take sertraline suffer from migraines.
    • Sertraline might be prescribed to people with PTSD.
      By: John Gomez
      Sertraline might be prescribed to people with PTSD.
    • Mental health providers sometimes prescribe sertraline to help allay clinical depression.
      By: ivolodina
      Mental health providers sometimes prescribe sertraline to help allay clinical depression.