Zoloft prescription online

Zoloft (sertraline) is FDA approved for multiple mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders. It works by helping make serotonin, which affects mood, more available in your brain.

Is Zoloft right for your symptoms? Talk to a mental health specialist on Klarity Health in 24 hours or less and find out.*

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Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.

A woman takes a Zoloft pill with water, demonstrating the ease of taking prescribed medication, specifically focusing on online prescriptions for Zoloft

Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Paul Hetrick

A hand holding a pill, emphasizing the simple, daily dosage form of Zoloft, relevant to discussions around What is Zoloft and its administration.

What is Zoloft (sertraline)?

Zoloft (sertraline) is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for mental health conditions. It’s a first-choice treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). It’s also used for and approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

The PANDA study found Zoloft to be more effective at reducing anxiety than treating depression, but some experts suggest that not enough study participants had depression diagnoses to justify the results. Nonetheless, PANDA showed it works well for both anxiety and overall improvements in mental health.

Zoloft is in a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that make more serotonin available to the brain.

Learn more about treating depression.

How does Zoloft work?

Your brain has neurotransmitters or chemical messengers that help your brain cells communicate with each other. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone. It affects mood, memory, stress, sleep, and other functions. An imbalance or lack of serotonin may play a role in different mental health conditions, including anxiety, OCD, depression, and PTSD.

As an SSRI, Zoloft prevents serotonin from being taken into neurons (brain or nerve cells), so there’s more of it available to nerve cells. The added availability is thought to improve communication between cells, which may improve mood, memory, stress, sleep, and more.

Like other SSRIs and similar medications, Zoloft doesn’t work immediately. It can take 1 to 6 weeks to reach its full therapeutic effects.

Learn more about SSRIs vs SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) for depression and anxiety.

Who can take Zoloft?

Zoloft is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). It’s also used for and approved to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). That means your provider can prescribe it if you’re diagnosed with any of these conditions and they think Zoloft is a medically necessary part of your treatment plan.

Providers can and do prescribe Zoloft for off-label uses for conditions it’s not specifically FDA-approved to treat. Conditions it’s used for include general depression, other anxiety disorders, binge eating disorder, bulimia, body dysmorphic disorder, and premature ejaculation.

Some health insurance companies require prior authorization before they’ll cover Zoloft for you, even if it’s on their preferred drug list. Your provider can help you with the prior authorization process to get your insurance plan to approve it, if possible, if needed.

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How to get a Zoloft prescription online

To get a Zoloft prescription online (or off), you need to see a healthcare provider licensed to prescribe medications and who determines that Zoloft is medically necessary for you. Prescribing providers include physicians and psychiatrists (MDs), nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants/associates (PAs).

On Klarity Health, you can find a board-certified, licensed healthcare provider who specializes in treating mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and more. They can tailor a treatment plan for you and prescribe medication, like Zoloft, if it’s right for you.

Learn more about how to get Zoloft prescribed online.

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How to use Zoloft and Zoloft dosages

Zoloft comes as a tablet or solution (liquid) you take by mouth. Tablets come in 25-, 50-, and 100-milligram doses. The oral solution comes in a 20 milligram per milliliter strength in a bottle that includes a dropper for measuring 25- or 50-milligram doses.

How much Zoloft you start with and your long-term dose depends on what you take it for and how your symptoms respond to it. The typical starting dose for MDD and OCD is 50 milligrams a day. For PD, PTSD, and SAD, most people start with 25 milligrams a day. Maintenance doses range from 50 to 200 milligrams a day.

Dosing for PMDD typically starts at 50 milligrams a day either continuously or only during your menstrual cycle with a maintenance dose of 100 to 150 depending on your dosing schedule.

You should never stop Zoloft abruptly and instead taper off gradually.

Zoloft side effects and warnings

The most common side effects you might have when taking Zoloft include nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or indigestion, dry mouth, increased sweating, tremors or shaking, agitation, changes in your sleep habits including increased sleepiness or insomnia, sexual problems including decreased libido and ejaculation failure, feeling tired or fatigued, and anxiety.

More serious side effects are possible too. Zoloft has a boxed warning (the FDA’s most serious warning) for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. It may also lead to serotonin syndrome, increased bleeding, low sodium levels, and mania or hypomania among other side effects.

Before taking Zoloft or generic sertraline read the medication guide and talk to your provider or pharmacist. And always take it as prescribed.

If you do take it, consider reporting any negative side effects to the FDA by visiting MedWatch or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

What does Zoloft cost?

Brand-name Zoloft can cost up to $500 a month. The average cost on drugs.com and with its discount are $466 for 30 tablets of any strength or $308 per bottle of the oral solution.

Zoloft is available as generic sertraline, which costs less. Drugs.com lists its cost at $180 for 30 tablets or $31 for a bottle of the oral solution.

If your insurance covers Zoloft or generic sertraline, you’ll most likely only pay your copay or your co-pay after you meet your deductible depending on how your plan is set up.

One of the makers of Zoloft, Viatris, offers a savings program where you can pay as little as $4 for a 30-day supply of brand-name Zoloft. Some restrictions apply. Visit zoloft.com for details.

With or without insurance, you can take advantage of prescription discount sites, like GoodRx, drugs.com, SingleCareRx, Optum Perks, and others to save from 3% to 80%.

How does Zoloft compare to other medications?

Meta-analyses that have looked at the comparative effectiveness of multiple SSRIs found that overall Zoloft (sertraline) is comparable to paroxetine (Paxil) in effectiveness. The same analysis though found that overall Lexapro (escitalopram) is more effective than other SSRIs and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Although 1 8-week study found that Lexapro and Zoloft have similar response rates. Analyses also found that Zoloft and Lexapro are better tolerated than other antidepressants.

Paxil and Lexapro are both FDA approved for MDD. The have similar side effects to and the same boxed warning as Zoloft.

Ultimately which medication works best for you depends on how well you tolerate it and how well it works for you. While Zoloft may be ideal for one person, someone else may respond better to Lexapro, Paxil, or something else. Some people have to try a few medications to find the one that’s best for them.

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Reviews from real patients who see healthcare providers on Klarity Health.

How it works

Choose the right provider for you
Providers on Klarity Health are licensed, board-certified, and offer a personalized approach to your unique mental health needs. See detailed profiles for each provider and find an approach that’s best for you. (Costs for treatment options may vary.)
Have your first patient visit
Your journey to reduced depression starts with an initial consultation Your provider will go over your goals and medical history to recommend a treatment plan that’s right for you and that may or may not include prescription medication.
Work with your provider on your progress
Your initial consultation is just the beginning. You and your provider will follow up to make sure you’re doing okay and that you’re reaching your goals. You stay on track with easy medication refills and ongoing support from your provider.
Access 24×7 support from Klarity Health
If you have questions or need assistance, the friendly Klarity Health Patient Support team is here to help. Along with your provider, they’re committed to making sure you have the best care and support throughout your journey.

Why choose a provider on Klarity Health?

Choose from a growing list of licensed, board-certified providers

Have an appointment in as little as 24 hours*

No insurance needed — get reimbursed from insurance or use your FSA or HSA.

FAQs about Zoloft

Does Zoloft require a prescription?: Yes. Zoloft is a prescription medication. To get it, you need a prescription from a healthcare provider licensed to prescribe medications and who determines that Zoloft is medically necessary for you.
Where can I find online doctors to prescribe Zoloft?: You can find an online doctor or other licensed provider to prescribe Zoloft in a few ways. If your current doctor offers telehealth visits, you can work with them. If your insurance company offers online telehealth options, you can use that. You can also use an online healthcare marketplace, like Klarity Health, to find and see a provider online.

On Klarity Health, providers are licensed and board-certified and often available for appointments in as little as 24 hours.* (Note that prescriptions are regulated substances and may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.)
What is the average prescription for Zoloft?: Your provider will typically prescribe a 1-month supply. Although some may give you a prescription for a 90-day supply. Some insurance companies will only cover a 1-month supply though. The dose you’re prescribed will depend on what you take Zoloft or sertraline for and the dose your provider has you take. If you’re just starting, you may take 25 or 50 milligrams a day. Over time, your provider may have you increase your dose up to 200 milligrams a day.
How do I get my doctor to prescribe Zoloft?: The first step in getting your doctor to prescribe Zoloft is to schedule an appointment. If you have an existing diagnosis for a mental health condition, let your doctor know and approve their accessing your medical records. If you don’t have a diagnosis, work with your provider. Once your provider has a diagnosis, they may prescribe Zoloft for you if they feel it’s the best medication for your needs.
Is Zoloft just like Xanax?: Zoloft if not like Xanax. Xanax is a benzodiazepine most often used for short-term treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. It’s also a controlled substance and has a high risk for abuse, misuse, and dependence. Zoloft is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, PTSD, and PMDD. Zoloft increases available serotonin in the brain while Xanax increases GABA, a calming neurotransmitter. Xanax works almost immediately while Zoloft can take 1 to 6 weeks to be fully effective.

Learn more about Zoloft for depression and other disorders and depression medications

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Sources: accessdata.fda.gov, HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/019839S74S86S87_20990S35S44S45lbl.pdf

DailyMed, Label: ZOLOFT- sertraline hydrochloride tablet, film coated, ZOLOFT- sertraline hydrochloride solution, concentrate, Jan. 2015, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=fe9e8b7d-61ea-409d-84aa-3ebd79a046b5&audience=consumer

International Clinical Psychopharmacology, A comparative review of escitalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline: are they all alike?, Connie Sanchez, Elin H. Reines, and Stuart A. Montgomery, Jul. 2014, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4047306/

Lancet Psychiatry, The clinical effectiveness of sertraline in primary care and the role of depression severity and duration (PANDA): a pragmatic, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial, Gemma Lewis et al, Nov. 2019, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31543474/

Psychiatrist.com, Does Randomized Evidence Support Sertraline as First-Line Antidepressant for Adults With Acute Major Depression? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Andrea Cipriani, MD, et al. Nov. 2008, https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/does-randomized-evidence-support-sertraline-line/

ScienceDirect, Selection of the optimal dose of sertraline for depression: A dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Xufei Luo, Di Zhu, Jitao Li, Mengjuan Ren, Yunlan Liu, Tianmei Si, Yaolong Chen, Sept 2023, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178123003414

Science Media Centre, expert reaction to study on the clinical effectiveness of the antidepressant sertraline, Sept. 2019, https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-study-on-the-clinical-effectiveness-of-the-antidepressant-sertraline/

University College London, Psychiatry, Study Findings: Antidepressants may reduce anxiety more than depressive symptoms, https://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychiatry/research/epidemiology-and-applied-clinical-research-department/panda/study-findings
How we review this article: This article went through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author. Learn more about the editorial and medical review process and standards for the HelloKlarity site.

*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.

If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.