SERTRALINE

SERTRALINE- sertraline hydrochloride tablet, film coated
Aphena Pharma Solutions — Tennessee, LLC

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in pediatric and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [See Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Sertraline tablets are indicated for the treatment of the following [See Clinical Studies (14)] :

  • Major depressive disorder (MDD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Panic disorder (PD)
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Dosage in Patients with MDD, OCD, PD, PTSD, and SAD

The recommended initial dosage and maximum sertraline dosage in patients with MDD, OCD, PD, PTSD, and SAD are displayed in Table 1 below. A dosage of 25 mg or 50 mg per day is the initial therapeutic dosage.

For adults and pediatric patients, subsequent dosages may be increased in case of an inadequate response in 25 mg to 50 mg per day increments once a week, depending on tolerability, up to a maximum of 200 mg per day. Given the 24-hour elimination half-life of sertraline, the recommended interval between dose changes is one week.

Table 1: Recommended Daily Dosage of Sertraline in Patients with MDD, OCD, PD, PTSD, and SAD
Indication Starting Dose Therapeutic Range
Adults
MDD 50 mg 50 to 200 mg
OCD 50 mg
PD, PTSD, SAD 25 mg
Pediatric Patients
OCD (ages 6-12 years old) 25 mg 50 to 200 mg
OCD (ages 13-17 years old) 50 mg

2.2 Dosage in Patients with PMDD

The recommended starting sertraline dosage in adult women with PMDD is 50 mg per day. Sertraline may be administered either continuously (every day throughout the menstrual cycle) or intermittently (only during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, i.e., starting the daily dosage 14 days prior to the anticipated onset of menstruation and continuing through the onset of menses). Intermittent dosing would be repeated with each new cycle.

  • When dosing continuously,patients not responding to a 50 mg dosage may benefit from dosage increases at 50 mg increments per menstrual cycle up to 150 mg per day.
  • When dosing intermittently,patients not responding to a 50 mg dosage may benefit from increasing the dosage up to a maximum of 100 mg per day during the next menstrual cycle (and subsequent cycles) as follows: 50 mg per day during the first 3 days of dosing followed by 100 mg per day during the remaining days in the dosing cycle.

2.3 Screen for Bipolar Disorder Prior to Starting Sertraline

Prior to initiating treatment with sertraline or another antidepressant, screen patients for a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania [See Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

2.4 Dosage Modifications in Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Both the recommended starting dosage and therapeutic range in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child Pugh scores 5 or 6) are half the recommended daily dosage [See Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.2)]. The use of sertraline in patients with moderate (Child Pugh scores 7 to 9) or severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh scores 10-15) is not recommended [See Use in Specific Populations (8.6), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

2.5 Switching Patients to or from a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor Antidepressant

At least 14 days must elapse between discontinuation of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant and initiation of sertraline. In addition, at least 14 days must elapse after stopping sertraline before starting an MAOI antidepressant [See Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

2.6 Discontinuation of Treatment with Sertraline

Adverse reactions may occur upon discontinuation of sertraline [See Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. Gradually reduce the dosage rather than stopping sertraline abruptly whenever possible.

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Sertraline 25 mg Tablets: Light Green film coated Modified oval biconvex tablets debossed with I on the left Side of bisect and G on the right Side of bisect on one Side and “212” on other

Sertraline 50 mg Tablets: Light Blue film coated Modified oval biconvex tablets debossed with I on the left side of bisect and G on the right side of bisect on one side and “213” on other

Sertraline 100 mg Tablets: Light Yellow film coated Modified oval biconvex tablets debossed with I on the left side of bisect and G on the right side of bisect on one side and “214” on other

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Sertraline is contraindicated in patients:

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients

In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and other antidepressant classes) that included approximately 77,000 adult patients and over 4,400 pediatric patients, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients was greater in antidepressant-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients. The drug-placebo differences in the number of cases of suicidal thoughts and behaviors per 1,000 patients treated are provided in Table 2.

No suicides occurred in any of the pediatric studies. There were suicides in the adult studies, but the number was not sufficient to reach any conclusion about antidepressant drug effect on suicide.

Table 2: Risk Differences of the Number of Cases of Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors in the Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials of Antidepressants in Pediatric and Adult Patients

Age Range (years) Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Patients of Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors per 1000 Patients Treated
Increases Compared to Placebo
<18 14 additional patients
18-24 5 additional patients
Decreases Compared to Placebo
25-64 1 fewer patient
≥65 6 fewer patients

It is unknown whether the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients extends to longer-term use, i.e., beyond four months. However, there is substantial evidence from placebo-controlled maintenance trials in adults with MDD that antidepressants delay the recurrence of depression.

Monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially during the initial few months of drug therapy and at times of dosage changes. Counsel family members or caregivers of patients to monitor for changes in behavior and to alert the healthcare provider. Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing sertraline, in patients whose depression is persistently worse, or who are experiencing emergent suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

All MedLibrary.org resources are included in as near-original form as possible, meaning that the information from the original provider has been rendered here with only typographical or stylistic modifications and not with any substantive alterations of content, meaning or intent.

This site is provided for educational and informational purposes only, in accordance with our Terms of Use, and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a medical doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner or other qualified health professional.

Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2024. All Rights Reserved.