User:Mr. Ibrahem/Sertraline

Sertraline, sold under the brand name Zoloft among others, is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is used to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Sertraline is taken by mouth.

Common side effects include diarrhea, sexual dysfunction, and troubles with sleep. Serious side effects include an increased risk of suicide in those less than 25 years old and serotonin syndrome. It is unclear whether use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is safe. It should not be used together with MAO inhibitor medication. Sertraline is believed to work by increasing serotonin effects in the brain.

Sertraline was approved for medical use in the United States in 1991 and initially sold by Pfizer. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines as an alternative to fluoxetine. It is available as a generic medication. In the United States, the wholesale cost is about US$1.50 per month as of 2018. In 2016, it was the most commonly prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States, with over 37 million prescriptions. In 2017, it was the 14th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States with over 38 million prescriptions.