| Side-effects which occurred significantly more frequently with sertraline than placebo in multiple dose studies were: nausea, diarrhoea/loose stools, anorexia, dyspepsia, tremor, dizziness, insomnia, somnolence, increased sweating, dry mouth and sexual dysfunction (principally ejaculatory delay in males). The side-effect profile commonly observed in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with OCD and PTSD was similar to that observed in patients with depression. Post-marketing spontaneous reports include the following: Cardiovascular: Blood pressure disturbances including postural hypotension, tachycardia. Eye disorders: Abnormal vision. Gastro-intestinal: Vomiting, abdominal pain. Nervous system: Amnesia, headache, drowsiness, movement disorders, paraesthesia, hypoaesthesia, depressive symptoms, hallucinations, aggressive reaction, agitation, anxiety, psychosis, depersonalisation, nervousness, panic reaction and signs and symptoms associated with serotonin syndrome which include fever, rigidity, confusion, agitation, diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension and diarrhoea. There have also been reports of manic reaction, although this phenomenon may be part of the underlying disease. Cases of suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviours have been reported during sertraline therapy or early after treatment discontinuation (see section 4.4).Convulsions (Seizures): Sertraline should be discontinued in any patient who develops seizures (See Section 4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use'). Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, myalgia. Hepatic/pancreatic: Rarely, pancreatitis and serious liver events (including hepatitis, jaundice and liver failure). Asymptomatic elevations in serum transaminases (SGOT and SGPT) have been reported in association with sertraline administration (0.8 1.3%), with an increased risk associated with the 200mg daily dose. The abnormalities usually occurred within the first one to nine weeks of drug treatment and promptly diminished upon drug discontinuation. Renal & urinary disorders: Urinary retention. Reproductive: Hyperprolactinemia, galactorrhoea, menstrual irregularities, anorgasmy. Skin and allergic reactions: Rash (including rare reports of erythema multiforme, photosensitivity), angioedema, ecchymoses, pruritus and anaphylactoid reactions. Metabolic: Rare cases of hyponatremia have been reported and appeared to be reversible when sertraline was discontinued. Some cases were possibly due to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. The majority of reports were associated with older patients, and patients taking diuretics or other medications. Haematologic: There have been rare reports of altered platelet function and/or abnormal clinical laboratory results in patients taking sertraline. While there have been reports of thrombocytopenia, abnormal bleeding or purpura in several patients taking sertraline, it is unclear whether sertraline had a causative role. See also Section 4.4 'Special warnings and precautions for use'. General: Malaise. Other: Withdrawal reactions have been reported with sertraline. Common symptoms include dizziness, paraesthesia, headache, anxiety and nausea. Abrupt discontinuation of treatment with sertraline should be avoided. The majority of symptoms experienced on withdrawal of sertraline are non-serious and self-limiting. Rare: psychomotor restlessness/akathisia (see section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use)Adverse events from paediatric clinical trials: In paediatric clinical trials in depression the following adverse events were reported at a frequency of at least 2% of patients and occurred at a rate of at least twice that of placebo: dry mouth (2.1% vs 0.5%), hyperkinesia (2.6% vs 0.5%), tremor (2.1% vs 0%), diarrhoea (9.5% vs 1.6%), vomiting (4.2% vs 1.1%), agitation (6.3% vs 1.1%), anorexia (5.3% vs 1.1%) and urinary incontinence (2.1% vs 0%). Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts were mainly observed in clinical trials with Major Depressive Disorder.Sertraline has been evaluated in paediatric OCD patients aged 6 to 17 in a 12 week placebo-controlled study. Therapy for paediatric OCD patients (aged 6-12) commenced at 25mg/day increasing to 50mg/day after 1 week. Side-effects which occurred significantly more frequently with sertraline than placebo were: headache, insomnia, agitation [6-12 years]; insomnia, anorexia, tremor [13-17 years]. Most were of mild to moderate severity. There is limited evidence of efficacy and safety beyond 12 weeks of treatment. Withdrawal symptoms seen on discontinuation of SSRI treatment: Discontinuation of SSRIs (particularly when abrupt) commonly leads to withdrawal symptoms. Dizziness, sensory disturbances (including paraesthesia), sleep disturbances (including insomnia and intense dreams), agitation or anxiety, nausea and/or vomiting, tremor and headache are themost commonly reported reactions. Generally these events are mild to moderate and are self-limiting, however, in some patients they may be severe and/or prolonged. It is therefore advised that when SSRI treatment is no longer required, gradual discontinuation by dose tapering should be carried out (see section 4.2 Posology and Method of Administration and section 4.4 Special Warnings and Special Precautions for use). | |