Sertraline
Sertraline, sold as Zoloft, is an SSRI antidepressant that comes in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg tablets for major depressive disorder and panic disorder.
Key points
- Beyond depression and panic, sertraline is also used for obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
- It carries a boxed warning that it may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in people under 24, especially during the first few months of treatment or when the dose changes.
- Do not take sertraline with monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as phenelzine or selegiline, or within two weeks of stopping them.
How does Sertraline work?
Sertraline belongs to the antidepressants class known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It increases the amount of serotonin in the brain, a natural chemical linked to mood. When serotonin levels are more balanced, stress and negative thought patterns may ease over time.
Sertraline does not stimulate the body to produce more serotonin. It slows the reabsorption of serotonin already present, so more stays active between nerve cells. This is textbook SSRI pharmacology and applies to every sertraline product on the shelf, including Zoloft.