Sertraline

Pronunciation: SER-tra-leen.

Generic name
sertraline hydrochloride
Brand names
Zoloft (United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), Lustral (United Kingdom)
Drug class
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Form
Film-coated tablet (also available as an oral concentrate/solution)
Route
Oral
Legal status
Prescription-only medicine

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: Zoloft (and generics) (5) · Full directory

What sertraline hydrochloride is and how it works

Sertraline is a prescription-only antidepressant from the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) class. It is used to treat depression and several anxiety-related conditions by helping to restore the balance of serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain. (1)

Take sertraline exactly as your prescriber directs, usually once daily. Your dose is started low and individually adjusted based on your response and any side effects -- it can take several weeks to feel the full benefit. If you and your prescriber decide together to stop sertraline, this is always done gradually, guided by your prescriber, never suddenly on your own.

Mechanism of action: how sertraline hydrochloride works

Sertraline selectively inhibits neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) in the central nervous system, increasing serotonergic neurotransmission, with minimal effect on norepinephrine or dopamine reuptake at usual clinical doses. (1)

What sertraline hydrochloride is used for

Depression, anxiety-related conditions, and PMDD

Used in adults for major depressive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Also used for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17. Depression treatment has not been established as effective in children and adolescents. (1) (2)

Before taking sertraline hydrochloride

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not take sertraline if you are taking, or have taken in the last 14 days, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), including the antibiotic linezolid or intravenous methylene blue -- this combination can cause a dangerous reaction. Your prescriber will guide the correct timing if switching between sertraline and an MAOI. (all countries) (1) (2)
  • Do not take sertraline with pimozide, because of a risk of serious heart rhythm problems. (all countries) (1) (2)
  • Do not take sertraline if you have had an allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. (all countries) (1)
  • The oral concentrate (liquid) form contains alcohol and should not be combined with disulfiram. (United States) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any personal or family history of bipolar disorder (manic depression), since antidepressants can occasionally unmask or trigger mania.
  • Any history of low blood sodium (hyponatraemia), especially if you are older or take a diuretic ('water tablet').
  • Any bleeding disorders, or whether you take aspirin, NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), warfarin, or other blood thinners.
  • Any heart rhythm problems or risk factors for QT prolongation.
  • Any eye problems, particularly narrow-angle or angle-closure glaucoma.
  • Whether you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
  • All other medicines and supplements you take, especially other antidepressants, migraine medicines (triptans), tramadol, and St John's Wort, because of the risk of serotonin syndrome.
(1) (2)

How to take sertraline hydrochloride

  • Take once daily, in the morning or evening, with or without food, as your prescriber directs.
  • Your prescriber will usually start you on a low dose and adjust it gradually over time based on how you respond.
  • It can take several weeks of regular use before you notice the full benefit -- keep taking it as directed even if you do not feel a difference right away, unless your prescriber tells you otherwise.
  • Do not change your dose, or stop taking sertraline, without talking to your prescriber first -- if treatment needs to end, your prescriber will guide a gradual dose reduction to help avoid discontinuation symptoms.
(1) (2)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your normal schedule -- do not take a double dose. Contact your pharmacist or prescriber if you are unsure or miss doses often.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical help or contact a poison control service immediately if an overdose is suspected, even without symptoms yet. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Nausea, diarrhoea, or indigestion.

What to notice: Nausea, diarrhoea, or indigestion.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (2)

Tremor, increased sweating, or reduced appetite.

What to notice: Tremor, increased sweating, or reduced appetite.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Insomnia or headache.

What to notice: Insomnia or headache.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (2)

Sexual side effects, such as delayed ejaculation or reduced libido.

What to notice: Sexual side effects, such as delayed ejaculation or reduced libido.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1) (2)

Serious warnings

New or worsening suicidal thoughts or behaviour — boxed_warning

Symptoms: New or worsening depression, agitation, unusual changes in behaviour or mood, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm -- risk is highest in children, adolescents, and young adults, especially in the first few months of treatment or after a dose change.

Action: Seek help immediately for any thoughts of suicide or self-harm (emergency services or a crisis line), and contact your prescriber promptly about any new or worsening symptoms; close monitoring, especially early in treatment, is essential. (1) (2)

Serotonin syndrome — emergency

Symptoms: Agitation, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, high temperature, muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea -- especially when combined with other serotonergic medicines.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately; a clinician will assess whether sertraline or an interacting medicine needs to be adjusted or stopped. (1) (2)

Severe low blood sodium (hyponatraemia) — emergency

Symptoms: Confusion, severe headache, weakness, unsteadiness, seizures, or fainting -- more common in elderly patients and those taking diuretics.

Action: Seek emergency medical help for severe symptoms, or contact your prescriber promptly for milder symptoms; a blood sodium test may be needed. (1) (2)

Signs of abnormal bleeding — high caution

Symptoms: Unusual bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or blood in vomit or stool -- risk is increased when combined with NSAIDs, aspirin, or blood thinners.

Action: Contact your prescriber promptly; seek emergency care for heavy or uncontrolled bleeding. (1) (2)

Signs of mania — high caution

Symptoms: Greatly increased energy, racing thoughts, unusually elevated mood, or decreased need for sleep.

Action: Contact your prescriber promptly; this can occasionally be unmasked in people with an underlying tendency toward bipolar disorder, and your prescriber will decide on next steps. (1) (2)

Eye pain or vision changes (possible angle-closure glaucoma) — emergency

Symptoms: Eye pain, vision changes, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.

Action: Seek emergency eye care immediately. (1)

Discontinuation symptoms if a dose is reduced or treatment ends — high caution

Symptoms: Dizziness, sensations like electric shocks, sleep disturbance, irritability, nausea, or low mood can occur, particularly if a dose is lowered or stopped too quickly.

Action: Never reduce or stop sertraline abruptly on your own. Your prescriber will guide a gradual dose reduction, typically over at least one to two weeks or longer, to minimise these symptoms. (1) (2)

Interactions

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including linezolid and intravenous methylene blue, must not be combined with sertraline -- a 14-day gap is needed when switching in either direction, under your prescriber's guidance. (1) (2)
  • Other serotonergic medicines (other antidepressants, migraine triptans, tramadol, St John's Wort) increase the risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with sertraline. (1) (2)
  • Pimozide combined with sertraline is not used, because of a risk of serious heart rhythm problems. (1) (2)
  • NSAIDs, aspirin, warfarin, and other blood thinners combined with sertraline increase the risk of abnormal bleeding. (1) (2)
  • Grapefruit juice can roughly double sertraline levels in the body; ask your prescriber or pharmacist for guidance. (2)
  • Sertraline can affect the levels of some other medicines processed by the same liver enzyme pathway (CYP2D6), such as certain tricyclic antidepressants and heart-rhythm medicines -- your prescriber may adjust doses. (1) (2)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Using sertraline late in pregnancy has been associated with a possible increased risk of a lung problem in the newborn (persistent pulmonary hypertension) and of temporary withdrawal-type symptoms in the baby after birth. Data from early pregnancy have not shown a clearly increased risk of major birth defects. Whether to start, continue, or stop sertraline during pregnancy is an individual decision to make with your prescriber, weighing the risks of untreated depression or anxiety against possible medicine effects -- never a decision to make alone. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Breastfeeding

Sertraline passes into breast milk in small amounts. Discuss the benefits of treatment against any possible effect on your baby with your prescriber. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Children

Approved for OCD in children and adolescents aged 6-17; not established as effective for depression in this age group. The boxed warning about suicidal thoughts applies with particular importance to children, adolescents, and young adults, who need close monitoring. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Elderly

Higher risk of low blood sodium (hyponatraemia), especially if also taking a diuretic; your prescriber may monitor sodium levels more closely. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Hepatic_impairment

Sertraline is processed by the liver; your prescriber may use a lower dose or slower titration with liver problems. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Renal_impairment

Not specifically detailed in the sources reviewed for this dossier; standard individualised titration applies. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Source_ids

US-DAILYMED-SERTRALINE-ZOLOFT-2026,UK-EMC-SERTRALINE-LUSTRAL-2026 (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Screening for personal or family history of bipolar disorder
  • Review of other medicines for serotonin syndrome or bleeding-risk interactions
  • Baseline assessment of mood and suicial risk

During treatment

  • Close monitoring for new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts, especially in the first few months and after any dose change, particularly in children, adolescents, and young adults.
  • Watching for signs of serotonin syndrome, especially if other serotonergic medicines are added.
  • Sodium level checks if hyponatraemia is suspected, especially in elderly patients.
  • Growth, weight, and appetite monitoring in children and adolescents.
  • Any dose reduction or stopping is monitored and guided by your prescriber to reduce discontinuation symptoms.
(1) (2)

Storage

Store at controlled room temperature, below 30°C, protected from light and moisture.

Study the drug class: SSRI antidepressants

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA (Zoloft) prescribing information and UK SmPC; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States

Indication: Major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, PMDD

Dose summary: Individualised; typical starting dose 25-50 mg once daily, titrated in 25-50 mg increments approximately weekly based on response and tolerability, up to a maximum of 200 mg/day for most indications; PMDD may use continuous (up to 150 mg/day) or luteal-phase-only (up to 100 mg/day) dosing. Any discontinuation should use a gradual dose taper.

Renal context: Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Clearance is reduced in hepatic impairment; a lower dose or reduced frequency, and closer monitoring, is generally used, per full prescribing information.

Overdose note

Reported sertraline overdose effects include drowsiness, gastrointestinal symptoms, tachycardia, and rarely coma, seizures, or serotonin syndrome; management is supportive and per local poison-control/toxicology guidance, with no specific antidote. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Why does sertraline have a warning about suicidal thoughts?

In short-term studies, antidepressants including sertraline were associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour in children, adolescents, and young adults, especially early in treatment or after a dose change. Anyone starting sertraline, but particularly younger people, should be closely monitored, and anyone with thoughts of suicide or self-harm should seek help immediately. (1)

Can I stop taking sertraline suddenly if I feel better?

No. Stopping sertraline suddenly can cause discontinuation symptoms such as dizziness, electric-shock-like sensations, sleep disturbance, or low mood. If you and your prescriber decide treatment should end, your prescriber will guide a gradual dose reduction, typically over at least one to two weeks or longer, to minimise these effects. Never reduce or stop the dose on your own. (1) (2)

Is sertraline available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?

Yes, it is approved and available in all of these regions, as the brands Zoloft or Lustral and as generics. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5) (6)

What is the mechanism of action of sertraline hydrochloride?

Sertraline selectively inhibits neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) in the central nervous system, increasing serotonergic neurotransmission, with minimal effect on norepinephrine or dopamine reuptake at usual clinical doses. (1)

What is the generic name of Sertraline?

The generic name is sertraline hydrochloride. It is sold under brand names including Zoloft (United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), Lustral (United Kingdom). (1)

What class of drug is sertraline hydrochloride?

Sertraline is classed as: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). (1)

References

  1. ZOLOFT (sertraline hydrochloride) tablet, oral solution -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, Zoloft (Viatris/Pfizer) · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. Lustral 50 mg Film-coated Tablets -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- Lustral (sertraline) · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Sertraline -- Periodic Safety Update Report Single Assessment (PSUSA) and list of nationally authorised productsEuropean Medicines Agency (EMA) · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. SERTRALINE (sertraline hydrochloride) Product MonographHealth Canada product monograph · Canada · dated 2025-03-13 · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
  5. Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) -- ARTG registrationTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
  6. Zoloft and Setrona (sertraline) -- New Zealand Data SheetsMedsafe (New Zealand regulator) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient sertraline hydrochloride names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • Zoloft50 mg, 100 mg, 20 mg/mL, 25 mg · viatris specialty llc

United Kingdom

  • Lustral (and generic sertraline) (2)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · 50 mg, 100 mg · Viatris (Lustral) and multiple UK generic manufacturers

Canada

  • ZOLOFT

Australia

  • Zoloft (and generics) (5)TGA ARTG registered confirmed · 50 mg, 100 mg · Viatris Pty Ltd and multiple generic sponsors

New Zealand

  • Zoloft / Setrona (6)Medsafe approved confirmed · 50 mg, 100 mg · multiple sponsors
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Zoloft (and generics, nationally authorised) (3)

This page provides general reference information about sertraline and is not a substitute for advice from the prescriber managing your treatment. All dosing and treatment decisions, including any change to your dose or stopping treatment, should be made with your prescriber.

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