Sertraline prescription online

Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Serotonin is one of the “feel-good” neurotransmitters produced in the brain. SSRIs work by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the brain’s nerve cells right away so its effects are felt longer.

Serotonin regulates mood. And decreased levels of serotonin are linked to several mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD.

A 2023 study showed sertraline improves anxiety symptoms more quickly than depression symptoms. After 6 weeks, participants taking sertraline experienced a notable decrease in anxiety symptoms, such as worry and restlessness, compared to those on the placebo. By 12 weeks, participants noted a significant reduction in symptoms of depression. Participants also reported improvements in overall quality of life related to their mental health.

Sertraline may also be used in combination with other medications. A 2024 double-blind randomized controlled study found a combination of sertraline and the antipsychotic medication brexpiprazole (Rexulti) were more effective than combination of sertraline and placebo at improving symptoms of PTSD.

Sertraline is taken orally as a tablet, capsule, or liquid solution once a day in the morning or evening.

Sertraline (Zoloft) is available as oral tablets, capsules, or a liquid solution. Tablet dosage strengths are 25, 50, and 100 milligrams. Capsule dosages are 150 and 200 milligrams. The liquid solution form is 20 milligrams/milliliter.

The FDA-recommended starting dosage is 50 milligrams once a day for MDD and OCD and 25 milligrams for PD, PTSD, and SAD. Sertraline is taken at the same time once a day, either in the morning or evening. If a you have drowsiness, it’s recommended you take it at night. Taking sertraline with food helps with its absorption.

If sertraline is prescribed for PMDD, it can be taken continuously once per day, or it can be taken once per day only during the 14 days leading up to the anticipated start of a menstrual period.

If sertraline is taken as a solution, it needs to be diluted in 4 ounces of another liquid before drinking it. Water, orange juice, lemonade, lemon or lime soda, or ginger ale are the accepted liquids used for diluting sertraline solution. Other liquids shouldn’t be used. Drink the solution right away.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss a dose and it’s nearly time for your next one, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Don’t double up on doses.

Don’t stop taking sertraline suddenly and without consulting with your healthcare provider first. You’ll likely need to decrease your dosage slowly over time.

Store sertraline safely away from children and pets in a place that’s room temperature. Make sure child-proof caps are tightly closed. Don’t store sertraline in a place with excessive heat and moisture, like a bathroom medicine cabinet.

Dispose of any unneeded sertraline pills or solution safely. Consult the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for information, or ask your pharmacist if there’s a medication take-back program in your area. Don’t flush sertraline down the toilet.

Sertraline is a commonly prescribed SSRI medication and a first-line treatment option for depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, and PMDD. Clinical research has found it to be effective in treating these conditions.

Other SSRIs include Prozac (fluoxetine), Lexapro (escitalopram), Celexa (citalopram), and Paxil (paroxetine). 

• Fluoxetine has been FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, bulimia, binge eating disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and bipolar depression, including cases of treatment-resistant depression when combined with olanzapine.
• Escitalopram has been FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents (ages 12 to 17) and generalized anxiety disorder in both adults and children aged 7 and older.
• Citalopram is FDA-approved to treat depression in adults. 
• Paroxetine is FDA-approved for MDD, OCD, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, GAD, PMDD, and hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause. 

In clinical trials that compared sertraline to escitalopram and paroxetine, all 3 SSRIs were found to be more effective than placebo. Escitalopram was found to be the most effective and the most tolerable in terms of side effects. It also had the fastest rate of response and lowest remission rates. 

In another study of participants with major depressive disorder, paroxetine, sertraline, and fluoxetine had similar outcomes in the subgroup with at least moderate depressive severity and high anxiety.

Compared with other SSRIs, paroxetine produces more side effects, including sedation, constipation, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and congenital malformations. In a different comparative study, weight gain was significantly higher in those taking paroxetine than sertraline. 

SSRIs are known to cause diarrhea. Sertraline has the highest rate of diarrhea of SSRIs. 

Wellbutrin (bupropion) is not an SSRI. It’s an NDRI (norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor) that increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain rather than serotonin. It’s FDA-approved to treat MDD.

A comparative study of bupropion, sertraline, and the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) venlafaxine (Effexor) found that the 3 medications didn’t have significant differences in rates or time to remission, tolerability, efficacy, or side effects.

Common side effects of fluoxetine, escitalopram, citalopram, paroxetine, bupropion, and venlafaxine can include nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, dry mouth, headache, increased sweating, and increased anxiety or suicidal thoughts may occur during the first weeks. Some may cause weight changes, anxiety, or dizziness. Bupropion has lower sexual side effects but a higher risk of agitation. Venlafaxine can cause blood pressure changes. 

The best way to find out which medication, if any, is best for you is to talk to a healthcare provider.