Zoloft (Sertraline)

Zoloft is a prescription medicine used to treat depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (also called OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (also called PTSD) in adults. Zoloft is also used to treat OCD in children (ages 6-12) and adolescents (ages 12-17).

Sertraline belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Other drugs in this class are Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Celexa (citalopram) and Luvox (fluvoxamine). Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger) produced by nerve cells in the brain that is used by the nerves to communicate with one another. A nerve releases the serotonin it produces into the space surrounding it. The serotonin either travels across the space and attaches to receptors on the surface of nearby nerves or it attaches to receptors on the surface of the nerve that produced it, to be taken up by the nerve and released again (a process referred to as re-uptake). A balance is reached for serotonin between attachment to the nearby nerves and reuptake. Selective serotonin inhibitors block the reuptake of serotonin and therefore change the level of serotonin in the brain. It is believed that some illnesses such as depression are caused by disturbances in the balance between serotonin and other neurotransmitters. The leading theory is that drugs such as sertraline restore the chemical balance among neurotransmitters in the brain. Sertraline was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in December, 1991.

Before taking Zoloft, tell your doctor if you have liver disease; kidney disease; suffer from seizures; or suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts. You may not be able to take Zoloft, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Do not take Zoloft without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Zoloft passes into breast milk. Do not take Zoloft without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking sertraline and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); an irregular heartbeat or pulse; low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or chills or fever.

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking sertraline and talk to your doctor:

• headache;
• tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
• nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
• sleepiness or insomnia; or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Zoloft.