Prescription Drug Index

Sertraline is prescribed for major depressive disorder--a persistently low mood that interferes with everyday living. Symptoms may include loss of interest in your usual activities disturbed sleep change in appetite constant fidgeting or lethargic movement fatigue feelings of worthlessness or guilt difficulty thinking or concentrating and recurrent thoughts of suicide.

Sertraline is also used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder--symptoms of which include unwanted thoughts that won’t go away and an irresistible urge to keep repeating certain actions such as hand-washing or counting. It is also prescribed for the treatment of panic disorder (unexpected attacks of overwhelming anxiety accompanied by fear of their return) and for posttraumatic stress disorder (re-experiencing a dangerous or life-threatening event through intrusive thoughts flashbacks and intense psychological distress).

Sertraline is a member of the family of drugs called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI’s). Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers believed to govern moods. Ordinarily it is quickly reabsorbed after its release at the junctures between nerves. Re-uptake inhibitors such as Zoloft slow this process thereby boosting the levels of serotonin available in the brain.

ADULTS

Depressive or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The usual starting dose is 50 milligrams once a day taken either in the morning or in the evening however 25mg for one or two days initially is also reasonable.

Your doctor may increase your dose depending upon your response. The usual maximum dose is 200 milligrams in a day.

Panic Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

During the first week the usual dose is 25 milligrams once a day. After that the dose increases to 50 milligrams once a day. Depending on your response your doctor may continue to increase your dose up to a maximum of 200 milligrams a day.

CHILDREN

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The starting dose for children aged 6 to 12 is 25 milligrams once a day and for adolescents aged 3 to 17 it is 50 milligrams once a day.

Your doctor will adjust the dose as necessary.

Safety and effectiveness have not been established for children under 6.

Note:

The content in this section is provided for informational purposes only. This information regarding the following Canadian drugs is not intended to replace or act as a substitute for information or advice provided by your physician. You should always consult a physician before beginning a new medication. Moreover, prescription drugs should only be obtained with a doctor's prescription.

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