Last 1991, the pharmaceutical company Pfizer released an antidepressant drug Sertraline hydrochloride (brand names Zoloft and Lustral). As an antidepressant drug, Zoloft lies under the Selective Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressant. Disorder such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, social anxiety disorders (social phobia) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are treated with Zoloft. From the aforementioned functions of Zoloft, it seems like it is such a reliable and safe antidepressant drug. However, Zoloft has had a fair share of controversies and may not be as safe as you thought it is.

An advertisement made for this product goes like this:"While the cause is unknown, depression may be related to an imbalance of natural chemicals between nerve cells in the brain. Prescription Zoloft works to correct this imbalance. You just shouldn't have to feel this way anymore."Since the drug was not supported with a successful study which could justify its efficiency as an antidepressant drug, the wordings used in the advertisement was thought to be misleading to the public. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to the pharmaceutical company in response to the issue.


Originally, Zoloft's mechanism of action in treating depression among recipients of the studies conducted was not met with a successful criteria, as seen in its earlier pre-marketing clinical trials. The test shows that the drug can cause weak-to-moderate effect on severe depression, but has shown better result in placebo study for dysthymia, a milder form of depression disorder. Today, patients suffering from this type of disorder are usually treated with Zoloft either as an outpatient treatment or as an inpatient intervention.

Reports concerning Zoloft's inclination to incur adverse reactions to child-bearing women who were suffering from depression are rising. The laboratory tests shows that fetal circulation are tainted with the drug's presence. Pregnant women unknowingly pass the drug to their child since some drugs easily undergo placental transfer. Another serious complication linked with this drug is the increased likelihood of patients suffering from depression to entertain suicidal thoughts. That is why patients taking Zoloft are closely monitored for the first few drug administrations for signs and symptoms of psyche changes such as mood and behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, restlessness and other forms of suicidal ideation. This being said, it is best to consult ones doctor before planning to put Zoloft treatment on hold.