Medications and Drugs

1. Understanding Depression Slideshow
2. Take the Depression Quiz
3. Benefits of Depression Treatment

Brand Names: Zoloft

Generic Name: sertraline (Pronunciation: SER tra leen)

• What is sertraline (Zoloft)?
• What are the possible side effects of sertraline (Zoloft)?
• What is the most important information I should know about sertraline (Zoloft)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sertraline (Zoloft)?
• How should I take sertraline (Zoloft)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Zoloft)?
• What happens if I overdose (Zoloft)?
• What should I avoid while taking sertraline (Zoloft)?
• What other drugs will affect sertraline (Zoloft)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is sertraline (Zoloft)?

Sertraline is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Sertraline affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression, panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Sertraline is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Sertraline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Sertraline 100 mg-APO

oval, yellow, imprinted with APO, SER 100

Sertraline 100 mg-GRE

oval, yellow, imprinted with 100 MG, G 4910

Sertraline 100 mg-IVA

oval, blue, imprinted with LOGO 100, 5674

Sertraline 100 mg-MYL

oval, green, imprinted with M S3

Sertraline 100 mg-TEV

oval, yellow, imprinted with 7177, 9 3

Sertraline 25 mg-APO

oval, green, imprinted with APO, SE 25

Sertraline 25 mg-GRE

oval, green, imprinted with 25 MG, G 4960

Sertraline 25 mg-IVA

round, blue, imprinted with LOGO 25, 5672

Sertraline 25 mg-MYL

round, green, imprinted with M 51

Sertraline 25 mg-TEV

oval, green, imprinted with 7175, 9 3

Sertraline 50 mg-APO

oval, blue, imprinted with APO, SE 50

Sertraline 50 mg-GRE

oval, blue, imprinted with G4900, 50 MG

Sertraline 50 mg-IVA

oval, blue, imprinted with LOGO 50, 5673

Sertraline 50 mg-MYL

round, green, imprinted with M 52

Sertraline 50 mg-TEV

oval, blue, imprinted with 7176, 9 3

Zoloft 100 mg

oblong, yellow, imprinted with ZOLOFT, 100 MG

Zoloft 25 mg

oblong, green, imprinted with ZOLOFT, 25 MG

Zoloft 50 mg

oblong, blue, imprinted with ZOLOFT, 50 MG

What are the possible side effects of sertraline (Zoloft)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out;
• agitation, hallucinations, fever, overactive reflexes, tremors;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination; or
• headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

Less serious side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, tired feeling;
• mild nausea, stomach pain, upset stomach, constipation;
• dry mouth;
• changes in appetite or weight;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about sertraline (Zoloft)?

Do not take sertraline if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking sertraline, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.

Need help identifying pills and medications?
Use the pill finder tool on RxList.