Zoloft

Zoloft^® (sertraline) is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It’s commonly used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

Zoloft works by increasing the available levels of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, emotion, and sleep.

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. In some cases, especially in younger people, Zoloft may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, particularly when starting treatment or changing the dose.

Zoloft is generally well-tolerated, but it may take several weeks to show full therapeutic effects. It should not be stopped abruptly, as this can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, sleep disturbances, and flu-like symptoms.

Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) is indicated for the treatment of:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD)

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Panic disorder (PD)

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Social anxiety disorder (SAD)

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)

Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and twice placebo) in pooled placebo-controlled MDD, OCD, PD, PTSD, SAD and PMDD clinical trials were:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea/Loose stool

• Tremor

• Indigestion

• Decreased appetite

• Excessive sweating

• Ejaculation failure

• Decreased libido

The cost of Zoloft varies depending on factors such as your insurance plan, which pharmacy you use, the dosage, and quantity. Without insurance, a month’s supply of 30 milligram (mg) Zoloft tablets may cost about $540. Its generic form, sertraline, may cost about $31 per month on average. Insurance plans may cover all or some of the cost of these medications.

On the Hers platform, sertraline starts at $49 per month, and that price includes the benefits of using the Hers telehealth platform, including free shipping and unlimited messaging with a provider.

• Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or use within 14 days of stopping MAOIs

• Concomitant use of pimozide

• Known hypersensitivity to sertraline or excipients

• Zoloft oral solution only: Concomitant use of disulfiram

• Drug interactions: protein-bound drugs, CYP2D6 substrates

• Serotonin syndrome

• Increased risk of bleeding

• Activation of mania/hypomania

• Seizures

• Angle closure glaucoma

• QTc prolongation

• Sexual dysfunction

• Pregnancy: Third trimester use may increase risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension and withdrawal in the neonate

WARNING: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS

Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adult patients.

Closely monitor for clinical worsening and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

*This information is from the label for brand name Zoloft^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Sertraline, the active ingredient in Zoloft, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient sertraline.