Is Zoloft gluten-free?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Is Zoloft gluten-free?
Yes, Zoloft is gluten-free. This brand of Sertraline is known to be safely used in people with celiac disease as it does not contain gluten (1). However, the same cannot be said for generic Sertraline tablets or other brands because of the lack of research on this specific topic (2).
The active ingredient of the drug itself does not contain gluten. It’s the pharmaceutical fillers that are used to manufacture the dosage form that can contain gluten in them. However, commonly prescribed brands of antidepressants, like Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, etc are gluten-free.
Most of the fillers are not produced by the drug manufacturers themselves, so the presence of gluten can not be fully confirmed. However, it’s best to ask your doctor or pharmacist for a safer option for you that would not trigger symptoms associated with your celiac disease.
Potential risks of gluten-containing antidepressants for individuals with gluten sensitivity
Some potential risks of gluten-containing antidepressants for individuals with gluten sensitivity include (3):
Digestive Issues
Gluten sensitivity can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation. If an individual with gluten sensitivity takes antidepressants containing gluten, it may trigger or worsen these digestive issues, leading to discomfort and disruption in their daily life.
Systemic Inflammation
Gluten sensitivity can activate an immune response in the body, leading to inflammation. Ingesting gluten-containing antidepressants may contribute to ongoing inflammation, potentially exacerbating symptoms associated with gluten sensitivity, such as joint pain, fatigue, and brain fog.
Malabsorption of Nutrients
Gluten sensitivity can impair the absorption of essential nutrients from the digestive system. If an individual with gluten sensitivity takes antidepressants containing gluten, it may further compromise nutrient absorption, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies and associated health problems.
Increased Autoimmune Response
Gluten sensitivity is often linked to autoimmune disorders, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.
Consuming gluten-containing antidepressants can potentially trigger or intensify the autoimmune response, worsening symptoms of autoimmune conditions and compromising overall health.
Emotional Well-being
For individuals with gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can impact their mental and emotional well-being, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and mood disturbances.
Ingesting gluten-containing antidepressants may further disrupt emotional balance, potentially counteracting the intended therapeutic effects of the medication.
Final words
To sum up, Zoloft is a gluten-free formulation and can be taken safely by people who are sensitive to gluten. However, a lot of antidepressant brands do contain gluten.
It’s important for individuals with gluten sensitivity to be aware of the potential risks associated with gluten-containing antidepressants.
Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial to discuss alternatives and find gluten-free options that suit their specific needs and minimize potential risks.
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References
1.-
LABEL: ZOLOFT- sertraline hydrochloride tablet, film coated. ZOLOFT- sertraline hydrochloride solution, concentrate. DailyMed [Internet]. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=fe9e8b7d-61ea-409d-84aa-3ebd79a046b5&type=pdf
2.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 68617, Sertraline; [cited 2023 July 13]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sertraline
3.-
Catassi C. Gluten Sensitivity. Ann Nutr Metab. 2015;67 Suppl 2:16-26. doi: 10.1159/000440990. Epub 2015 Nov 26. PMID: 26605537. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26605537/
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