Description
Sertafine (Sertraline) 100 mg
Sertafine 100 mg is a branded sertraline tablet. Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used in the treatment of several depressive and anxiety-related disorders. The exact brand name should always be confirmed against the local product information, but the active ingredient sertraline is well established.
Active Ingredient and Medicine Class
The verified active ingredient is sertraline, an SSRI antidepressant. SSRIs act on serotonin signalling in the brain and are widely used in psychiatry and related mental health care.
Established Medical Uses
Regulatory product information for sertraline supports use in major depressive disorder and several anxiety-related conditions, depending on the country-specific authorisation. Published clinical studies also support its antidepressant efficacy in major depression.
How It Works
Sertraline increases the availability of serotonin by blocking its reuptake in nerve cells. This is thought to help reduce symptoms of depression and some anxiety disorders, although the full clinical effect is not immediate and varies between patients.
Important Safety Information
Sertraline must not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and official labelling also warns against use with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue because of the risk of serotonin syndrome. Important precautions include a history of bipolar disorder or mania, seizure disorders, bleeding risk, hyponatraemia, glaucoma, and the possibility of worsening suicidal thoughts in some patients, particularly early in treatment. Clinically significant interactions may occur with other serotonergic medicines, anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, and medicines that affect serotonin metabolism.
Possible Side Effects
Common adverse effects include nausea, diarrhoea, insomnia, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, sweating, and sexual dysfunction. Serious reactions can include serotonin syndrome, severe allergic or skin reactions, abnormal bleeding, seizures, and low sodium levels.
Scientific Evidence
Randomised controlled trials have shown sertraline to be more effective than placebo in major depression, with benefits seen across standard depression rating scales. A systematic review and meta-analysis also found evidence supporting sertraline’s antidepressant efficacy in acute major depression.
Medical Information Notice
This educational summary is based on sources available at the time of review and does not replace the official patient leaflet, prescribing information, or assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Medical Sources
- DailyMed / U.S. prescribing information: Sertraline hydrochloride tablets, full prescribing information. DailyMed entry
- EMA: Zoloft; INN: sertraline. European Medicines Agency document
- Rosenbaum JF et al. “Sertraline safety and efficacy in major depression: a double-blind fixed-dose comparison with placebo.” Biological Psychiatry (1995). PubMed article
- Machado M et al. “Does randomized evidence support sertraline as first-line antidepressant for adults with acute major depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (2009). PubMed article
