A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant that increases serotonin levels in the brain, used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Developed by Pfizer in the 1970s-80s, the name derives from its chemical classification as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The '-ine' suffix is common in pharmaceutical nomenclature for nitrogen-containing compounds.
Sertraline (Zoloft) is one of the most prescribed antidepressants worldwide and is considered safe even during pregnancy, making it a first-line choice for treating depression in expecting mothers. Interestingly, it takes 4-6 weeks to work because the brain needs time to grow new neural connections, not just increase serotonin levels.
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