Sertraline and Psychotic Symptoms: A Case Series

Authors: Popli A.P.¹; Fuller M.A.²; Jaskiw G.E.²

Source: Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, Volume 09, Number 1, March 1997 , pp. 15-17(3)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Sertraline and other SSRIs have a relatively favorable side-effect profile and are widely prescribed. We report the emergence of psychotic symptoms during treatment with sertraline in four patients. Three of these patients had a history of psychotic illness and were on antipsychotic medication, when sertraline was added. The psychotic symptoms emerged within 3 days–7 weeks of starting sertraline and resolved on its discontinuation. We wish to alert clinicians to the possibility that sertraline may provoke or exacerbate positive psychotic symptoms, particularly in patients on neuroleptics, with a previous history of psychosis.

Keywords: Sertraline; psychotic symptoms; adverse drug reactions

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Porter Starke Counseling Centers, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 2: Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio

Publication date: 1997-03-01