Patient information and frequently asked questions about off-label Sertraline for PE.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Sertraline is an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) medication. These medications are FDA approved for the treatment of depression and anxiety, and Sertraline is also sometimes used off-label to treat PE. Other medications in this class include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro), among others.
Some SSRIs have the side effect of delaying ejaculation. This side effect has been studied and considered a potential option for men suffering from premature ejaculation. Sertraline used for premature ejaculation is an off-label use of Sertraline. Our doctors have the discretion to prescribe Sertraline as an off-label treatment for premature ejaculation if after a thorough evaluation of the symptoms, medical history, medications, and conditions they feel that this treatment is the right course of action for a patient.
Neurotransmitters, including serotonin, play a large role in the complex reactions that need to occur for ejaculation to happen. With SSRIs, more serotonin is left in the cleft between the neurons for a longer amount of time due to the medication blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitter. These increased serotonin levels in the brain lead to a delayed ejaculation in some.
Tell your doctor about all of your current medications, supplements, and any other conditions. Tell your doctor if you take medications for migraine, mood, anxiety, psychosis, seizures, pain, blood thinning, heart rate, diabetes. Tell your doctor if you take cimetidine, aspirin, NSAIDs, St.John’s wort, tryptophan. Let your doctor know if you have the following conditions: liver problems, kidney problems, heart problems, seizures, bipolar disorder, low sodium levels, stroke, high blood pressure, bleeding problems.
The most common side effects of Sertraline are: nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea or indigestion, change in sleep habits including increased sleepiness or insomnia, increased sweating, sexual problems including decreased libido and ejaculation failure, tremor or shaking, feeling tired or fatigued, agitation. For a full list of possible side effects please refer to the important safety information below.
Take Sertraline tablets exactly as prescribed. Sertraline tablets may be taken with or without food. If you miss a dose of Sertraline tablets, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Sertraline tablets at the same time. If you take too many Sertraline tablets, call your healthcare provider or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.
Sertraline tablets can cause sleepiness or may affect your ability to make decisions, think clearly, or react quickly. You should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Sertraline tablets affect you. Do not drink alcohol while using Sertraline tablets.
Store Sertraline tablets at room temperature, between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77° F). Keep Sertraline tablets in a tightly closed container. Keep Sertraline tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Suicidality and Antidepressant DrugsAntidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of sertraline or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age 24; there was a reduction in risk with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults aged 65 and older. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Patients of all ages who are started on antidepressant therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Sertraline is not approved for use in pediatric patients except for patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).Sertraline tablets and other antidepressant medicines may cause serious side effects, including:Suicidal thoughts or actions:
Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider and call between visits if you are worried about symptoms.Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, or call 911 if an emergency, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, or call 911 if an emergency. Sertraline tablets may be associated with these serious side effects:Serotonin Syndrome or Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome-like reactions: This condition can be life-threatening and may include:
Severe allergic reactions:
Abnormal bleeding: Sertraline tablets and other antidepressant medicines may increase your risk of bleeding or bruising, especially if you take the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin®†, Jantoven®†), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or naproxen), or aspirin. Seizures or convulsionsManic episodes:
Changes in appetite or weight: Children and adolescents should have height and weight monitored during treatment.Low salt (sodium) levels in the blood:Elderly people may be at greater risk for this. Symptoms may include:
Do not stop sertraline tablets without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping sertraline tablets too quickly may cause serious symptoms including:
What are SertralineTablets?Sertraline tablets are a prescription medicine used to treat depression. It is important to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks of treating depression and also the risks of not treating it. You should discuss all treatment choices with your healthcare provider. Sertraline tablets are also used to treat:
Talk to your healthcare provider if you do not think that your condition is getting better with sertraline tablet treatment.Who should not take sertraline tablets?Do not take sertraline tablets if you:
People who take sertraline tablets close in time to an MAOI may have serious or even life-threatening side effects. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking sertraline tablets?: Ask if you are not sure. Before starting sertraline tablets, tell your healthcare provider if you:Are taking certain drugs such as:
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while taking sertraline tablets.Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines that you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Sertraline tablets and some medicines may interact with each other, may not work as well, or may cause serious side effects.Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can tell you if it is safe to take sertraline tablets with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicine while taking sertraline tablets without talking to your healthcare provider first.If you take sertraline tablets, you should not take any other medicines that contain sertraline (sertraline HCl, sertraline hydrochloride, etc.)
What are the possible side effects of sertraline tablets?Sertraline tablets may cause serious side effects, including:
Common possible side effects in people who take sertraline tablets include:
Other side effects in children and adolescents include:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of sertraline tablets. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS. YOU MAY REPORT SIDE EFFECTS TO THE FDA AT 1-800-FDA-1088.General information about sertraline tablets:Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use sertraline tablets for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give sertraline tablets to other people, even if they have the same condition. It may harm them.This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about sertraline tablets. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You may ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about sertraline tablets that is written for healthcare professionals.
The following links provide further information on the potential risks and benefits of this medication:
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