Q: What is Zoloft?
A: Zoloft (sertraline) is in a class of medicines called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Zoloft is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and social anxiety disorder (SAD). Zoloft is made by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1991.

Q: Are there any special instructions for taking Zoloft?
A: When taking Zoloft oral concentrate, dilute it in only ½ cup of water, ginger ale, lemon/lime soda, or orange juice. Take immediately after mixing. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex because the dropper used to measure Zoloft oral concentrate contains natural rubber.

Q: Has there been any recent news about Zoloft?
A: In July 2006, the FDA issued two alerts related to Zoloft. The first FDA alert announced the results of a study concerning the use of antidepressant medicines during pregnancy by mothers of babies born with a serious condition called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Click here for more information on this FDA alert.

The second FDA alert states that a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome can occur when SSRIs (such as Zoloft) and medicines used to treat migraine headaches known as 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists (triptans), are taken together. Click here for more information on this FDA alert.

Over the last few years, the FDA has worked closely with the manufacturers of all marketed antidepressants (such as Zoloft) to fully evaluate the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and adults treated with these medications. Zoloft maker Pfizer Pharmaceuticals added a black box warning to Zoloft's prescribing information describing the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and adolescents taking antidepressants. Click here for more information.