Zoloft

Zoloft is the brand name for sertraline, an antidepressant in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is approved for major depressive disorder and a range of anxiety- and stress-related disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It is manufactured by Pfizer and is available as tablets (commonly 25, 50, and 100 mg) and as an oral concentrate.

Sertraline works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, increasing its availability in the synaptic cleft. This mechanism is believed to contribute to improvements in mood and anxiety, though full therapeutic effects may take several weeks to emerge.

Dosing is individualized based on the condition and patient response. Typical starting doses are around 25 mg daily, with gradual titration to 50–200 mg per day. Some indications may require higher maintenance doses. It can be taken with or without meals, and doses may be adjusted for liver impairment or older adults. Discontinuation should be gradual to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, insomnia or sedation, dizziness, and sexual dysfunction. Less frequent but serious risks include increased suicidality in younger patients, serotonin syndrome with other serotonergic drugs, and hyponatremia, especially in the elderly. Caution is advised during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and concurrent use with MAO inhibitors or other serotonergic medications is generally avoided.

Pharmacokinetically, sertraline has a half-life of about a day or more with continued dosing and is metabolized in the liver to an active and inactive form, then excreted mainly in urine and feces.