sertraline
Sertraline is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (bothersome thoughts that won't go away and the need to perform certain actions over and over), panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks), posttraumatic stress disorder (disturbing psychological symptoms that develop after a frightening experience), and social anxiety disorder (extreme fear of interacting with others or performing in front of others that interferes with normal life). It is also used to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, (mood swings, irritability, bloating, and breast tenderness). Sertraline is in a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amounts of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking sertraline affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
It is not known for certain whether sertraline affects fertility. One study found that women taking sertraline or some other SSRIs had a slightly lower chance of getting pregnant, but conditions sertraline is used to treat (such as depression) can also make it harder to conceive, so it is difficult to separate the effect of the medication from the underlying condition. Anyone with questions about fertility and sertraline should discuss them with their healthcare provider.
Does taking sertraline increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can happen in any pregnancy for many reasons. Studies on SSRIs and miscarriage are limited, but overall they have not shown that sertraline increases the chance of miscarriage; some of the conditions sertraline treats, such as depression, might themselves increase that chance. This is a topic best discussed with a healthcare provider who knows the individual's situation.
Does taking sertraline increase the risk of birth defects?
About 3 out of 100 babies are born with a birth defect for various reasons. More than 25,000 pregnancies exposed to sertraline have been reported; most studies have not found a higher chance of birth defects, though some have suggested a higher chance, including heart defects. When studies compare only women with depression or similar conditions, rates of birth defects look similar whether sertraline was used or stopped, suggesting that the underlying condition or other factors may play a role. Individual questions should be reviewed with a healthcare provider.
Can taking sertraline during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
Some studies suggest a higher chance of preterm delivery or low birth weight with sertraline use, but untreated depression or anxiety can also increase these risks, making it hard to separate the effects. Use of SSRIs in the second half of pregnancy has been linked in some studies to persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPH), though other studies have not found this; if there is an increased chance, the overall chance remains less than 1%. Additionally, newborns exposed late in pregnancy may have temporary symptoms sometimes called withdrawal, such as jitteriness or feeding or breathing difficulties, which usually resolve within a couple of weeks. These considerations should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Can taking sertraline during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
Most large studies have not shown that sertraline use during pregnancy increases the chance of behavior or learning issues. Some studies have found differences in children of mothers with depression who used sertraline compared to children of mothers without depression, but when comparisons are made only among children of mothers with depression, most studies do not find differences linked to sertraline itself—suggesting the underlying condition or other factors are more likely involved. There are no prenatal tests that can predict future behavior or learning, so ongoing discussion with a healthcare provider is important.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking sertraline?
Sertraline passes into breast milk in small amounts, and most babies exposed through breast milk do not have side effects. If a breastfeeding parent notices symptoms in the baby such as unusual irritability or increased sleepiness, the child's healthcare provider should be contacted. All breastfeeding questions should be reviewed with a healthcare provider familiar with the individual situation.
Source: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet
sertraline