title: Pharmacology of sertraline: a review.
abstract: Sertraline is a member of a new class of psychotherapeutic agents that selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake in the brain. Animal studies have demonstrated that inhibition of serotonin reuptake leads to enhanced serotonergic neurotransmission and indirectly results in a down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors. The preclinical pharmacology of sertraline predicts antidepressant activity without accompanying anticholinergic, cardiotonic, or sedative side effects. Recent laboratory and clinical observations pertaining to body weight and obsessive compulsive disorder suggest the possibility of broader clinical indications for selective serotonin reuptake blockers such as sertraline.
mesh_terms: D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D051381:Rats; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020280:Sertraline
chemical_list: D009281:Naphthalenes; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D020280:Sertraline