Sertraline

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Protein-bound drugs: Monitor for adverse reactions and reduce dosage of sertraline hydrochloride or other protein-bound drugs (e.g., warfarin) as warranted. ( 7.1 , 12.3 ) CYP2D6 substrates: Reduce dosage of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6. ( 7.1 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Clinically Significant Drug Interactions Table 5 includes clinically significant drug interactions with sertraline hydrochloride [See Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3) ]. Table 5. Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Sertraline Hydrochloride Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of SSRIs including sertraline hydrochloride and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention: Sertraline hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [See Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 ), Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Examples: selegiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, methylene blue Pimozide Clinical Impact: Increased plasma concentrations of pimozide, a drug with a narrow therapeutic index, may increase the risk of QTc prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. Intervention: Concomitant use of pimozide and sertraline hydrochloride is contraindicated [See Contraindications ( 4 )] . Other Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of serotonergic drugs with sertraline hydrochloride increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention: Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome, particularly during treatment initiation and dosage increases. If serotonin syndrome occurs, consider discontinuation of sertraline hydrochloride and/or concomitant serotonergic drugs [See Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Examples: Other SSRIs, SNRIs, triptans, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, lithium, tryptophan, buspirone, amphetamines, and St. John's Wort. Drugs that Interfere with Hemostasis (antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants) Clinical Impact: The concurrent use of an antiplatelet agent or anticoagulant with sertraline hydrochloride may potentiate the risk of bleeding. Intervention: Inform patients of the increased risk of bleeding associated with the concomitant use of sertraline hydrochloride and antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants. For patients taking warfarin, carefully monitor the international normalized ratio [See Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Examples: aspirin, clopidogrel, heparin, warfarin Drugs Highly Bound to Plasma Protein Clinical Impact: Sertraline hydrochloride is highly bound to plasma protein. The concomitant use of sertraline hydrochloride with another drug that is highly bound to plasma protein may increase free concentrations of sertraline hydrochloride or other tightly-bound drugs in plasma [See Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Intervention: Monitor for adverse reactions and reduce dosage of sertraline hydrochloride or other protein-bound drugs as warranted. Examples: warfarin Drugs Metabolized by CYP2D6 Clinical Impact: Sertraline hydrochloride is a CYP2D6 inhibitor [See Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . The concomitant use of sertraline hydrochloride with a CYP2D6 substrate may increase the exposure of the CYP2D6 substrate. Intervention: Decrease the dosage of a CYP2D6 substrate if needed with concomitant sertraline hydrochloride use. Conversely, an increase in dosage of a CYP2D6 substrate may be needed if sertraline hydrochloride is discontinued. Examples: propafenone, flecainide, atomoxetine, desipramine, dextromethorphan, metoprolol, nebivolol, perphenazine, thioridazine, tolterodine, venlafaxine Phenytoin Clinical Impact: Phenytoin is a narrow therapeutic index drug. Sertraline hydrochloride may increase phenytoin concentrations. Intervention: Monitor phenytoin levels when initiating or titrating sertraline hydrochloride. Reduce phenytoin dosage if needed. Examples: phenytoin, fosphenytoin Drugs that Prolong the QTc Interval C linical Impact: The risk of QTc prolongation and/or ventricular arrhythmias (e.g., TdP) is increased with concomitant use of other drugs which prolong the QTc interval [See Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . In tervention: Pimozide is contraindicated for use with sertraline. Avoid the concomitant use of drugs known to prolong the QTc interval. E xamples: Specific antipsychotics (e.g., ziprasidone, iloperidone, chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, droperidol); specific antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin); Class 1A antiarrhythmic medications (e.g., quinidine, procainamide); Class III antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol); and others (e.g., pentamidine, levomethadyl acetate, methadone, halofantrine, mefloquine, dolasetron mesylate, probucol or tacrolimus). 7.2 Drugs Having No Clinically Important Interactions with Sertraline Hydrochloride Based on pharmacokinetic studies, no dosage adjustment of sertraline hydrochloride is necessary when used in combination with cimetidine. Additionally, no dosage adjustment is required for diazepam, lithium, atenolol, tolbutamide, digoxin, and drugs metabolized by CYP3A4, when sertraline hydrochloride is administered concomitantly [ See Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ]. 7.3 False-Positive Screening Tests for Benzodiazepines False-positive urine immunoassay screening tests for benzodiazepines have been reported in patients taking sertraline hydrochloride. This finding is due to lack of specificity of the screening tests. False-positive test results may be expected for several days following discontinuation of sertraline hydrochloride. Confirmatory tests, such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, will distinguish sertraline from benzodiazepines.

"Sertraline hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults" and for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in adults. Not approved for pediatric depression.

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Indication Starting Dosage Maximum Dosage MDD ( 2.1 ) 50 mg per day 200 mg per day OCD ( 2.1 ) 25 mg per day (ages 6 to 12) 200 mg per day 50 mg per day (ages ≥ 13) PD, PTSD, SAD ( 2.1 ) 25 mg per day 200 mg per day PMDD ( 2.2 ) continuous dosing 50 mg per day 150 mg per day PMDD ( 2.2 ) intermittent dosing 50 mg per day during luteal phase only 100 mg per day during luteal phase only • If inadequate response to starting dosage, titrate in 25 to 50 mg per day increments once weekly in MDD,OCD, PD,PTSD,and SAD ( 2.1 ) • See Full Prescribing Information for titration in PMDD ( 2.2 ) • Hepatic impairment: Mild: Recommended starting and maximum dosage is half recommended dosage ( 2.4 ) Moderate or severe: Not recommended ( 2.4 ) • When discontinuing sertraline hydrochloride, reduce dose gradually ( 2.6 , 5.4 ) 2.1 Dosage in Patients with MDD, OCD, PD, PTSD, and SAD The recommended initial dosage and maximum sertraline hydrochloride 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 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 hydrochloride, the recommended interval between dose changes is one week. Table 1 : Recommended Daily Dosage of Sertraline Hydrochloride in Patients with MDD , OCD , PD , PTSD , and SAD Indication Starting Dose Therapeutic Range Adults MDD 50 mg OCD 50 mg 50 to 200 mg PD, PTSD, SAD 25 mg Pediatric Patients OCD (ages 6 to 12 years old) 25 mg 50 to 200 mg OCD (ages 13 to 17 years old) 50 mg 2.2 Dosage in Patients with PMDD The recommended starting sertraline hydrochloride dosage in adult women with PMDD is 50 mg per day. Sertraline hydrochloride 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 Hydrochloride Prior to initiating treatment with sertraline hydrochloride 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 hydrochloride in patients with moderate (Child Pugh scores 7 to 9) or severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh scores 10 to 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 hydrochloride. In addition, at least 14 days must elapse after stopping sertraline hydrochloride before starting an MAOI antidepressant [ See Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ]. 2.6 Discontinuation of Treatment with Sertraline Hydrochloride Adverse reactions may occur upon discontinuation of sertraline hydrochloride [ See Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ]. Gradually reduce the dosage rather than stopping sertraline hydrochloride abruptly whenever possible.

Nausea (26% vs 12% placebo), diarrhea (18% vs 9% placebo), insomnia (16% vs 9% placebo), dry mouth (16% vs 9% placebo), sexual dysfunction (14% ejaculation failure in males; 6% decreased libido), somnolence and tremor.