Sertraline (psychoactive drug): characteristics, uses and effects
The sertraline is one of the substances that can be used for the treatment of major depressive disorders, and belongs to the group of psychotropic drugs antidepressants.
It was marketed for the first time in 1991 by the Pfizer company under the trade name "Zoloft", and can also be purchased as Besitran, Ariale or Ertex, among other names. Let's see what are the characteristics of this substance and in which cases it is indicated.
What is sertraline?
The psychoactive drug known as sertraline is an antidepressant that belongs to the category of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), which means that once it has been introduced into the body and has gone on to act in the system nervous system, selectively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, thus increasing the availability of this neurotransmitter.
That is, since sertraline makes certain neurons stop capturing the serotonin that are in the synaptic spaces, others can receive it, which is very useful in disorders associated with lower than normal serotonin levels in certain parts of the brain. Its use can make the little serotonin that the body produces is better used, thanks to the which helps correct an imbalance in the levels of this neurotransmitter and mitigate symptoms from
some mental disorders.The half-life of sertraline within the body is from 22 to 36 hours, so its effect is can be prolonged. However, the amount of serotonin available is not the same during that time, and when there is a greater amount of this psychotropic drug occurs between 4 and 8 hours after having consumed the dose. Before that, sertraline remains in the digestive tract or is metabolized to pass into the blood.
In what types of disorders is it used?
As mentioned, sertraline is widely used to treat cases of depression. However, it is also used when intervening in cases of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (TOC), social phobia Y panic attacks. It is believed that in all of them the lack of serotonin plays an important role, and that is why sertraline is used.
In turn, the amount of sertraline that should be consumed in each dose and the frequency of the latter depends on each case and is decided by the doctor. The effects of this psychotropic drug depend largely on its quantity and the regularity with which it is consumed..
The positive effects of sertraline can be noticed from the first day or after a few weeks, depending on the characteristics of each person and the way in which it is consumed.
Sertraline side effects
Sertraline does not cause dependence, but, as always happens with drugs, it has side effects. That is, sertraline produces reactions (more or less notable) in other processes that are not directly related to its objective. Ultimately, drugs are not smart agents that know where to act and where not to act; they are limited to circulating through the blood making all those cells that can interact with them react.
In the case of sertraline, among the side effects that it can produce include some of the most frequent in taking substances, such as nausea and headache, insomnia or drowsiness, or digestive problems, and others less frequent, such as episodes of anorexia and reduced libido.
It must be borne in mind that not all people have to manifest any of these effects but in any case the consumption of sertraline must always be indicated and supervised by doctors.
Concluding
Sertraline is a psychotropic drug whose consumption has to occur after a doctor indicates it and following his indications.
It is not only necessary to be careful with its use because of the side effects it may have, but also because of the cases in which its ingestion is contraindicated, as it may create an adverse reaction due to its interaction with certain substances or with organs affected by alterations.
In addition, if the adverse effects are too serious, this has to be communicated to the doctor so that he can prescribe another drug or look for alternative forms of intervention.
