Sertraline
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Prescription selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, OCD, and social anxiety disorder. One of the most widely prescribed antidepressants worldwide. Dosage must be determined by your prescribing physician.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Prescription selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, OCD, and social anxiety disorder. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 25–200 mg daily (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. With long-term use it can deplete sodium, folate. This profile indexes 12 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: depression symptom relief, anxiety reduction, ptsd symptom improvement. 12 sources indexed (2014–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Selectively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) at the presynaptic neuronal membrane by blocking the serotonin transporter (SERT), increasing serotonin availability in the synaptic cleft.
Dosing & protocol.
Can be taken with or without food. Take at the same time each day.3
What it depletes.
Nutrients this medication can lower over time, and what to replace.
Sodium
SignificantSSRI-induced SIADH can lower serum sodium, especially in older adults and during the first weeks of therapy.
Folate
MildLower folate status is associated with poorer SSRI response and may be reduced in some chronic users through altered one-carbon metabolism.
Full safety detail.
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
6- 1Sertraline and inflammatory markers in major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDXie Z, Gao Z, Li X et al. · Annals of general psychiatry · 2025
Xie Z, Gao Z, Li X et al.. Sertraline and inflammatory markers in major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of general psychiatry. 2025
- 2Antidepressants for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder in the maintenance phase: a systematic review and network meta-analysisPMIDKishi T, Ikuta T, Sakuma K, Okuya M et al. · Molecular Psychiatry · 2023
Sertraline was among the antidepressants with the best efficacy and acceptability profiles for maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder, supporting long-term use for relapse prevention
- 3Selection of the optimal dose of sertraline for depression: A dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDLuo X, Zhu D, Li J, Ren M et al. · Psychiatry Research · 2023
Sertraline 50-100mg daily provided optimal efficacy with acceptable tolerability for depression; higher doses showed marginal additional benefit with increased adverse effects
- 4Drug treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsPMIDChawla N, Anothaisintawee T, Charoenrungrueangchai K, Thaipisuttikul P et al. · BMJ · 2022
Sertraline was among the most effective pharmacological treatments for panic disorder, with strong evidence supporting its use as first-line therapy
- 5Population Pharmacokinetics of Sertraline in Healthy Subjects: a Model-Based Meta-analysisPMIDAlhadab AA, Brundage RC · The AAPS journal · 2020
Alhadab AA, Brundage RC. Population Pharmacokinetics of Sertraline in Healthy Subjects: a Model-Based Meta-analysis. The AAPS journal. 2020
- 6Sertraline and breastfeeding: review and meta-analysisPMIDPinheiro E, Bogen DL, Hoxha D et al. · Archives of women's mental health · 2015
Pinheiro E, Bogen DL, Hoxha D et al.. Sertraline and breastfeeding: review and meta-analysis. Archives of women's mental health. 2015
Reviews & position papers
2- 7Sertraline in depressed patients with or at risk for coronary heart disese: a systemic reviewPMIDSeifouri K, Kahdemi R, Ahmadi Hajikolaei F et al. · American journal of cardiovascular disease · 2024
Seifouri K, Kahdemi R, Ahmadi Hajikolaei F et al.. Sertraline in depressed patients with or at risk for coronary heart disese: a systemic review. American journal of cardiovascular disease. 2024
- 8A comparative review of escitalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline: Are they all alike?PMIDSanchez C, Reines EH, Montgomery SA · International clinical psychopharmacology · 2014
Sanchez C, Reines EH, Montgomery SA. A comparative review of escitalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline: Are they all alike?. International clinical psychopharmacology. 2014
Reference material
4- 9Cipriani A et al. Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet. 2018.Source linkedPMID
- 10Brady K et al. Efficacy and safety of sertraline treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2000.Source linkedPMID
- 11Clegg AJ et al. Exercise for depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2026.Source linkedPMID
- 12Davis LL, Behl S, Lee D et al.. Brexpiprazole and Sertraline Combination Treatment in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA psychiatry. 2025Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Sertraline, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Sertraline?
Prescription selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, OCD, and social anxiety disorder. One of the most widely prescribed antidepressants worldwide. Dosage must be determined by your prescribing physician.
What is Sertraline used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Sertraline include: Depression symptom relief; Anxiety reduction; PTSD symptom improvement; OCD symptom reduction; Panic attack prevention. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Sertraline?
A typical adult dose of Sertraline is 25–200 mg daily (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Tablet or oral concentrate. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Sertraline?
Reported side effects include nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, headache, dizziness. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Sertraline?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Sertraline in NutriStack.
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