Can you take Sertraline and Diazepam at the same time?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
In this article, we will discuss the concomitant use of Sertraline (Brand name: Zoloft) and Diazepam (Brand name: Valium). We will talk about the potential benefits and risks of this combination, and how you can ensure their safe and effective use.
Can you take Sertraline and Diazepam at the same time?
Yes, you can take Sertraline and Diazepam at the same time if prescribed by your healthcare provider. Both Sertraline and Diazepam are prescription medications and should never be taken without a doctor’s approval (1,2).
However, the combination of an SSRI and a Benzodiazepine is common for short-term use and can help people deal with several depression and anxiety symptoms (3). Sertraline can also be used with other benzodiazepines like Clonazepam (Klonopin) and Lorazepam (Ativan).
It is important to note that this combination may not suit everyone and it should not be continued for a long period.
What are the potential benefits of taking Sertraline and Diazepam together?
Taking Sertraline and Diazepam together can have some potential benefits, but it’s essential to use them carefully and under a doctor’s guidance. Sertraline, especially during the early stages of treatment, can sometimes increase anxiety.
This can make the first few weeks on Sertraline quite challenging for some people. Here’s where Diazepam, an anti-anxiety medication, can be helpful. Diazepam acts quickly, unlike Sertraline, which may take weeks to fully kick in.
It can help control this early anxiety almost immediately (4). Additionally, Sertraline can cause insomnia or disturb sleep for some individuals. Using Diazepam alongside Sertraline can address Sertraline-induced insomnia, helping people sleep better (5).
This can make the treatment process with Sertraline more manageable. However, it’s important to note that Diazepam is a controlled substance and has the potential for addiction.
Therefore, it’s not typically recommended for long-term use. It should only be used as directed by your doctor and for the specific purposes they prescribe it for.
What are the potential risks of taking Sertraline and Diazepam together?
Taking Sertraline and Diazepam together can have potential benefits, but it’s important to be aware of possible additive side effects. Sertraline might cause tiredness or sleepiness in some individuals.
When combined with Diazepam, these effects can be enhanced, leading to increased drowsiness (1,2). Some people may experience psychological side effects when using this combination.
Additionally, this combination might not be a good one for individuals with underlying health conditions – that could be negatively affected by these medications taken together.
How long to take Diazepam with Sertraline?
You should take Diazepam with Sertraline for as long as your doctor directs you to. Typically, a medication like Diazepam is used until your body adjusts to Sertraline or any other antidepressant.
When Sertraline starts to take effect, it helps manage anxiety, and any insomnia caused by it should also improve. This adjustment period for Sertraline can take around 4 to 8 weeks (1).
However, it’s essential to follow your doctor’s advice and continue taking these medications for as long as they recommend.
How to ensure the safe and effective use of Sertraline and Diazepam together?
The following points are important to ensure the safe and effective use of Sertraline and Diazepam together:
- Take these medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Keep follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to monitor your progress and any side effects.
- Inform your doctor about any side effects or concerns promptly.
- Do not consume alcohol while taking these medications, as it can increase their effects and risks.
- Be mindful of potential signs of dependence or addiction and report them to your doctor.
- Do not stop these medications suddenly. Follow your doctor’s instructions for tapering off, if necessary.
- Use Diazepam for the duration advised by your doctor, typically until Sertraline takes full effect (4-8 weeks).
- Understand that your treatment plan is specific to your needs, so trust your doctor’s recommendations.
Remember, safe and effective use of medications is crucial to achieving your desired therapeutic outcome.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the concomitant use of Sertraline and Diazepam. We have talked about the potential benefits and risks of this combination and how one can ensure their safe and effective use.
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References
1.-
Singh HK, Saadabadi A. Sertraline. 2023 Feb 13. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31613469. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547689
2.-
Dhaliwal JS, Rosani A, Saadabadi A. Diazepam. 2022 Sep 3. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30725707. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537022
3.-
Dunlop BW, Davis PG. Combination treatment with benzodiazepines and SSRIs for comorbid anxiety and depression: a review. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2008;10(3):222-8. doi: 10.4088/pcc.v10n0307. PMID: 18615162; PMCID: PMC2446479. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2446479/
4.-
Ogawa Y, Takeshima N, Hayasaka Y, Tajika A, Watanabe N, Streiner D, Furukawa TA. Antidepressants plus benzodiazepines for adults with major depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Jun 3;6(6): CD001026. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001026.pub2. PMID: 31158298; PMCID: PMC6546439. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31158298/
5.-
Martin P. L’association antidépresseur et anxiolytique aujourd’hui: bilan et prospective [Coadministration benzodiazepine and antidepressant drugs: the state of art]. Encephale. 2006 Oct;32(5 Pt 1):753-66. French. doi: 10.1016/s0013-7006(06)76228-5. PMID: 17099600. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17099600/
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