Lustral (sertraline) is an SSRI antidepressant used to treat depression and a range of other psychiatric disorders. It is better know by the brand name Zoloft.

Lustral is commonly used to help treat:

• Depression
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Anxiety
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Social anxiety disorder
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• premature ejaculation

Lustral can be used to treat any of the above in patients age 13 and up. In patients age 12 and under, the medication is typically reserved to treat obsessive compulsive disorder. A doctor should determine dosage for young patients.

The medication improves mood while reducing feelings of anxiety, unwanted thoughts, and the compulsion to perform repetitive actions. Some patients experience a mild euphoria, but this side effects tends to disappear as treatment continues and the body adapts to treatment.

Taking Lustral

Lustral and Zoloft both come in tablets or capsules. Patients who have difficulty swallowing should speak to a pharmacist about an oral solution, which can usually be prepared for these individuals.

While there may be some variation in dosage due to individual factors, such as weight, age, and other medical considerations, for the most part treatment is surprisingly similar in all conditions:

• Start with 25 to 50 mg taken once per day.
• Dosage may be increased by 50 mg each week, if needed, to a maximum of 200 mg per day.
• Treatment should continue for a minimum of 24 weeks, and may continue indefinitely as long as the medication continues to provide benefits and no serious adverse reactions develop.

The exceptions to the above treatment guidelines are in very young patients, and sometimes when the medication is used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder and premature ejaculation:

• Patients aged 6 to 12 being treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder should start on 25 mg per day, which may be increased to a maximum of 50 mg per day.
• For premature ejaculation, Lustral may be taken as-needed at 50 mg 4 to 8 hours prior to sexual activity, or 25 to 200 mg per day long-term.
• For premenstrual dysphoric disorder, either 50 to 150 mg per day continuously, or 50 mg per day during the luteal phase.

Note that while higher doses may be taken long-term, treatment should not start with high doses; if taking Lustral short-term or as-needed, do not exceed 50 mg per day.

Minor effects may be noticeable hours after taking a table, but it usually takes at least a week of treatment for improvements to be clearly noticeable and several weeks for full benefits to be felt.

Potential Side Effects

SSRIs usually produce at least one side effect in those who take them. Fortunately most side effects are transient and not cause for concern unless severe enough to be disruptive, including:

• Stomach upset
• Appetite loss
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Insomnia
• Drowsiness

If insomnia occurs, taking doses in the morning may help. Taking tablets on a full stomach may reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

Certain sexual side effects, though rare, are experienced with all SSRIs, including Lustral:

• Loss of libido
• Impotence
• Difficulty achieving orgasm

Sexual side effects may disappear as the body adjusts to treatment, or may linger throughout treatment. Dosage adjustments may also help. If the symptoms persist, other medications may be administered to counter the effects or, if severe, a different antidepressant may be tried.

Children and young adults are more likely to experience mood-related side effects, including mood swings, agitation, aggressive behavior, and increased depression while taking Lustral or any SSRI. Younger patients should be monitored for, or be alert for, behavioral or mood changes.