Sertraline

Sertraline, the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Zoloft^®, is a widely prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat a variety of mood disorders. Sertraline works the same way as Zoloft and has the same benefits and risks, per the FDA.

Zoloft works by increasing available serotonin levels in the brain, which can help improve mood and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. The FDA has approved Zoloft for the treatment of several conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). In some cases, Zoloft may also be used off-label to treat conditions such as eating disorders, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and premature ejaculation.

Zoloft is available as a tablet or oral solution and is typically taken once daily. While many people tolerate it well, common side effects can include nausea, indigestion, and sexual dysfunction. The medication also carries a warning about an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults.

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 sertraline varies depending on your insurance plan, which pharmacy you use, the dosage, and quantity. Without insurance, generic sertraline may cost about $30 per month on average. Insurance plans may cover all or some of the cost of these medications.

You may be eligible for manufacturer coupons, discount cards, or patient assistance programs if you meet certain criteria, especially if you have low income or high medical expenses. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you qualify.

A prescription for sertraline through Hims starts at $49 per month and includes the benefits of using the Hims telehealth platform, such as free shipping and unlimited messaging with a provider.

You can get a prescription for sertraline after being evaluated by your primary care provider or a specialist who can determine if the medicine is right for you based on factors like your symptoms and medical history. 

Hims offers access to sertraline. When you connect with a provider through the Hims platform, they’ll determine if sertraline is right for you. If it’s deemed a good fit, your medication will be shipped directly to your door. Your prescription costs include shipping and ongoing asynchronous messaging with your provider and our customer service team.

• 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.

Other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs are available to help increase the available level of serotonin in the brain and treat conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders. Other classes of drugs are also available to treat similar disorders. Some of these drugs may be better suited to you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to sertraline or Zoloft^®, speak with a provider to learn more about other medications that may work well for you.

Examples of medications that could be prescribed for depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, or related disorders include the drugs listed below.

• Other SSRIs:

  • citalopram (Celexa^®)

  • escitalopram (Lexapro^®)

  • fluoxetine (Prozac^®)

  • paroxetine (Paxil^®)

• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs):

  • desvenlafaxine (Pristiq^®)

  • duloxetine (Cymbalta^®)

  • venlafaxine (Effexor^®)

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs):

  • isocarboxazid (Marplan^®)

  • phenelzine (Nardil^®)

  • selegiline (Emsam^®)

  • tranylcypromine (Parnate^®)

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs):

  • clomipramine (Anafranil^®)

  • imipramine (Tofranil^®)

  • desipramine (Norpramin^®)

  • nortriptyline (Pamelor^®)

• Atypical antidepressants:

  • bupropion (Wellbutrin^®)

  • mirtazapine (Remeron^®)

  • vortioxetine (Trintellix^®)

*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.