Review of sertraline and its clinical applications in psychiatric disorders.
Sertraline (Zoloft, Pfizer) has been shown in numerous controlled studies to have similar efficacy to other selective serotonin (5-HT) re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Further research is indicating that the efficacy of sertraline extends even beyond the treatment of depression and anxiety to include utility in eating disorders, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and possibly substance abuse treatment. Along with other SSRIs, sertraline offers several advantages over older antidepressants, including improved patient tolerability, low risk of lethality in overdose and no dependence potential. In head-to-head comparisons, sertraline appears to be at least as well-tolerated as other SSRIs and may even have a more favourable side effect profile. Low potential for pharmacokinetic drug interactions is another advantage of sertraline. Unlike fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and paroxetine, sertraline is not a potent inhibitor of any of the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme systems. As a result of its proven efficacy, good tolerability and lack of pharmacokinetic interactions, sertraline should be considered first-line in the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders.
McRae
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Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, PO Box 250861, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. mcraeal@musc.edu
Brady
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D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline