Drug Factsheets

 Health Home >> Medications 

Zoloft

(sertraline)

In this factsheet:
• How does Zoloft work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use Zoloft?
• What form(s) does Zoloft come in?
• Who should NOT take Zoloft?
• What side effects are possible with Zoloft?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for Zoloft?
• What other drugs could interact with Zoloft?

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

How does Zoloft work? What will it do for me?

Sertraline belongs to a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Sertraline works by affecting the balance of chemicals in the brain. Specifically, it increases the level of a neurotransmitter called serotonin in the brain. Increased serotonin levels can help improve mood, reduce panic attacks, and treat OCD.

Although improvements may occur earlier, the full response to the medication may not appear until after 4 weeks of treatment or longer.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use Zoloft?

For depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, the recommended doses range from 50 mg to 200 mg once daily, taken with food.

For panic disorder, the recommended doses range from 25 mg to 200 mg once daily.

Your doctor may start you on a lower dose and gradually increase your dose to one that's appropriate for you.

Sertraline should be taken with food, preferably in the evening. But if you prefer to take it in the morning, take it with breakfast. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, or divide the capsules.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does Zoloft come in?

25 mg
Each yellow capsule contains sertraline HCl equivalent to 25 mg of sertraline. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, lactose (anhydrous), magnesium stearate, and sodium lauryl sulfate; capsule shell: D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Yellow No. 6, gelatin, and titanium dioxide. This medication does not contain gluten or tartrazine.

50 mg
Each white and yellow capsule contains sertraline HCl equivalent to 50 mg of sertraline. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, lactose (anhydrous), magnesium stearate, and sodium lauryl sulfate; capsule shell: D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Yellow No. 6, gelatin, and titanium dioxide. This medication does not contain gluten or tartrazine.

100 mg
Each orange capsule contains sertraline HCl equivalent to 100 mg of sertraline. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, lactose (anhydrous), magnesium stearate, and sodium lauryl sulfate; capsule shell: D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Red No. 40, gelatin, and titanium dioxide. This medication does not contain gluten or tartrazine.

Who should NOT take Zoloft?

Do not take sertraline if you:

• are allergic to sertraline or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• are taking a MAO inhibitor (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide) or have taken a MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days
• are taking pimozide

Continued... 1 | 2 | Next

Depression Symptom Checker Tool

The Depression Symptom Checker tool can help you learn about depression. Use this tool to create a list of your symptoms and rate how much the symptoms impact your life on a daily basis. The checklist is divided into 6 symptom categories that are associated with depression. You can also learn more about symptoms of depression here.

For each statement choose a number from 0 to 4 that describes the impact on your daily life, where 4 has the highest impact and 0 has no impact:

• 0 = no impact on daily life/no symptoms
• 1 = mild impact on daily life
• 2 = moderate impact on daily life
• 3 = severe impact on daily life
• 4 = debilitating impact on daily life

It is important to remember that this is not a “score” but a way to help you communicate how much you feel the symptom impacts your daily life. When you finish you will be able to print out your symptoms and share this information with your doctor. Use the Doctor Discussion Guide to prepare for your doctor’s visit.

Rate how much the following symptoms apply to you.

1. Emotions

Depression can affect anyone at any age, although it most commonly appears between 15 and 45 years of age.

I feel a sense of sadness and/or hopelessness

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

I feel restless and/or irritable

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

I have lost interest in hobbies and activities I once enjoyed

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

I have thoughts of self-harm, death, or suicide (if you have these thoughts, please seek medical help immediately)

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

Continue ›

Edit Answers

2. Fatigue

Serious depression affects about 11% of Canadians at some time in their lives, and about 4% during any given year

I do not have the energy to do the things I need or want to do

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

I think the lack of energy could be related to depression instead of another health issue

Yes Possibly No

Yes Possibly No

Continue ›

Edit Answers

3. Sleep

During depression treatment, sleep and appetite often improve before your mood improves.(

I am sleeping too much

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

I am having trouble getting enough sleep

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

I have other sleep problems that are impacting my life

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

Continue ›

Edit Answers

4. Weight

Weight loss is considered significant if you gain or lose more than 5% of your body weight within a month.

I have been losing weight recently without trying

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

I have been gaining weight recently without trying

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

Continue ›

Edit Answers

5. Thinking and concentrating

Having a close relative with depression, experiencing childhood trauma or the death of a loved one, or worrying a lot about problems may increase the likelihood of experiencing an episode of depression

I have difficulty concentrating

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

I have difficulty thinking clearly

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

I have trouble making decisions

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

Continue ›

Edit Answers

6. Unexplained Aches and Pains

Up to 76% of people with depression also experience physical symptoms, such as headache, stomach pain, and back pain

I am bothered by unexplained aches and pains (headache, stomach pain, other pains)

No Impact Mild Moderate Severe Debilitating

0 1 2 3 4

Continue ›

Edit Answers

Results