medicationPrescription only (US)Sertraline (Zoloft) is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Sertraline HClBenefits, Dosage & Interactions
Also known as: Zoloft
The generic name for Zoloft is sertraline hydrochloride, an SSRI antidepressant. "HCl" simply denotes the hydrochloride salt used to make the molecule stable and absorbable — sertraline and sertraline HCl are the same medicine. It is typically taken in the morning.
Researched by DoseRoutine R&D TeamReviewed for accuracy by Nicholas Alexander, RSELast updated
Evidence: Strong — 2 human randomized trials and regulatory approval on file.
Evidence strengthStrong · 4/4
PreclinicalStrong human evidence
2 human randomized trials and regulatory approval on file.
Quick answer
The generic name for Zoloft is sertraline hydrochloride, an SSRI antidepressant. "HCl" simply denotes the hydrochloride salt used to make the molecule stable and absorbable — sertraline and sertraline HCl are the same medicine. It is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder and PMDD, and typically takes four to six weeks for full mood benefit.
- Brand name
- Zoloft
- Generic name
- Sertraline hydrochloride (sertraline HCl)
- Drug class
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
- Approved for
- MDD, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety, PMDD
- Time to effect
- Sleep and anxiety often first; mood typically 4–6 weeks
- Half-life
- Roughly 26 hours — once-daily dosing
Compiled by DoseRoutine from public sources including NIH/MedlinePlus, the FDA label, Mayo Clinic and PubChem. Educational information, not medical advice.
Plasma half-life
22–36 h
Typical timing
morning
Food rule
with food
Default unit
mg
What published protocols report
Ranges documented in the literature, shown for reference. DoseRoutine does not recommend an amount — your prescriber or the product label sets the dose.
Reported for Sertraline HCl in the cited sources. Published ranges are not dosing advice.
References & evidence
Documents the Sertraline HCl entry is written from. Each number matches an inline marker above.
- [1]Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysisCipriani A, Furukawa TA, Salanti G, Chaimani A, Atkinson LZ, Ogawa Y, et al. · The Lancet · 2018 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 29477251
- [2]Sertraline in the treatment of panic disorder: a double-blind multicenter trialPohl RB, Wolkow RM, Clary CM · The American Journal of Psychiatry · 1998 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 9734541
- [3]A placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal study of sertraline for panic disorder in JapanKamijima K, Kuboki T, Kumano H, Burt T, Cohen G, Arano I · International Clinical Psychopharmacology · 2005 · Peer-reviewed · PMID 16096517
How to track Sertraline HCl doses
Tracking Sertraline HCl well takes four fields and a habit. Here is what to record so the log is still useful in three months.
- 1
Add the dose and unit
Log Sertraline HCl with its dose in mg so totals stay comparable over time — including days when you split the dose or skip it.
- 2
Set the time of day and food rule
Typical timing is morning. Take it with food, and record it that way so absorption stays consistent. Reminders fire at that time and can export to your calendar.
- 3
Check it against the rest of the stack
Run Sertraline HCl through the interaction checker against everything else in the routine — supplements, peptides, hormones and prescriptions — before it becomes a daily habit.
- 4
Log adherence, not intentions
Mark each dose taken, skipped or delayed as it happens. Weeks of honest logs are what make an adherence rate or a trend line meaningful; retrospective guessing is not.
- 5
Review against outcomes
With a reported half-life around 22 h, effects and timing shifts show up over days rather than instantly. Review Sertraline HCl alongside your logged metrics and any relevant blood work every few weeks before changing the dose.
What to log each time
- Dose in mg
- Time of day and whether it was taken with food
- Taken / skipped / delayed
- Any side effects or notable changes
References & Evidence
Sources on this page that document Sertraline HCl dosing, timing and safety.
- [1]National Center for Biotechnology Information View source
Educational information only — not medical advice. Dose ranges vary by person, indication and prescriber.
What is Sertraline HCl?Sources for this section: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Sertraline hydrochloride is an antidepressant medication belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It is commonly marketed under the brand name Zoloft. Sertraline is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of several mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD).
This medication works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin, to help improve mood and reduce symptoms associated with these conditions. It is typically taken orally, once daily, and often with food. Like other antidepressants, sertraline's full therapeutic effects may not be apparent for several weeks after beginning treatment. It's important for patients to continue taking the medication as prescribed, even if immediate improvement isn't observed.
Sertraline was first approved for medical use in the United States in 1991. It remains one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants globally due to its efficacy and generally manageable side effect profile. As a prescription medication, its use must be initiated and monitored by a licensed healthcare professional. (FDA label, MedlinePlus)
What does the research say about Sertraline HCl?
Tap a section to expand.
Sertraline's primary mechanism of action involves the selective inhibition of serotonin reuptake in the brain. This means it blocks the reabsorption of serotonin by neurons, leading to an increased concentration of serotonin in the synaptic cleft – the space between nerve cells. By enhancing serotonergic neurotransmission, sertraline is thought to ameliorate symptoms associated with mood and anxiety disorders.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood, emotions, sleep, appetite, and various other physiological processes. In conditions like depression and anxiety, imbalances in serotonin levels are often observed. By increasing the availability of serotonin, sertraline indirectly helps to stabilize these levels, which can lead to an improvement in depressive and anxiety symptoms.
Unlike older antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), sertraline has relatively little effect on other neurotransmitter systems, such as norepinephrine or dopamine. This selectivity is believed to contribute to its generally more favorable side effect profile compared to older classes of antidepressants. However, it's important to note that the exact neurobiological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of antidepressants are complex and not fully understood. (DrugBank, PubChem)
Source for this section: Sources for How does Sertraline HCl work?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
Sertraline offers significant therapeutic benefits for a range of mental health disorders, as supported by extensive clinical research and FDA approvals.
* **Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):** It is effective in reducing symptoms of depression, including persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Long-term use can also help prevent recurrence of depressive episodes. (Cochrane Review, FDA label)
* **Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):** Sertraline helps to decrease the frequency and severity of obsessions (recurrent, intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety). It is approved for both adult and pediatric OCD. (FDA label, MedlinePlus)
* **Panic Disorder:** This medication can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks, as well as the anticipatory anxiety associated with them. This allows individuals to regain control over their daily lives. (FDA label)
* **Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):** Sertraline is one of the few medications specifically approved for PTSD. It can alleviate classic PTSD symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, hyperarousal, and emotional numbing. (NIH ODS)
* **Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD):** For individuals with SAD, sertraline can reduce intense fear and anxiety in social situations, improving their ability to interact with others and participate in social activities. (FDA label)
* **Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD):** When taken continuously or during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, sertraline can help manage the severe mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and other physical symptoms characteristic of PMDD. (FDA label)
These benefits are generally observed after several weeks of consistent use, with individual responses varying. Continued adherence to the prescribed regimen is critical for achieving and maintaining therapeutic effects.
The efficacy of sertraline has been established through numerous controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses, leading to its widespread use and approval by regulatory bodies like the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
For major depressive disorder, a comprehensive Cochrane Review assessed the effectiveness and tolerability of sertraline compared to placebo and other antidepressants. It found sertraline to be more effective than placebo in reducing depressive symptoms and generally comparable in efficacy to other SSRIs, with a favorable tolerability profile for many patients.
In the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), clinical trials, some referenced in the FDA label, have demonstrated sertraline's ability to significantly reduce OCD symptom scores in both adult and pediatric populations compared to placebo. Efficacy has been shown for both short-term (10-12 weeks) and long-term (up to 52 weeks) treatment.
For panic disorder, studies published in psychiatric journals and cited by drug information resources confirm that sertraline significantly decreases the frequency of panic attacks and associated agoraphobia over several weeks of treatment. A significant proportion of patients achieve panic-free status following treatment.
Efficacy in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been supported by several placebo-controlled trials. These studies, often cited by NIH ODS documents, consistently show that sertraline leads to a statistically significant improvement in overall PTSD symptom severity, as measured by standard clinical rating scales, compared to placebo.
Data for social anxiety disorder (SAD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) also come from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. For SAD, sertraline effectively reduced symptoms of social phobia. For PMDD, trials specifically designed to assess its use for cyclical symptoms have shown significant improvements in mood and physical symptoms. (Cochrane Review, FDA label, NIH ODS, EMA SmPC)
Sertraline, like all medications, can cause side effects. Many are mild and transient, particularly during the initial weeks of treatment. However, some can be more persistent or serious.
Common side effects, as noted by MedlinePlus and the FDA label, often include:
* Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach
* Dry mouth
* Drowsiness or insomnia
* Dizziness
* Headache
* Increased sweating
* Sexual dysfunction (e.g., decreased libido, difficulty achieving orgasm or ejaculation) in both men and women
* Tremor
* Agitation or anxiety
Less common but more serious side effects may include:
* **Serotonin Syndrome:** A potentially life-threatening condition caused by too much serotonin in the brain. Symptoms include agitation, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat, fever, muscle rigidity, coordination problems, and severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea.
* **Bleeding problems:** Increased risk of bruising or bleeding, especially when taken with blood thinners.
* **Hyponatremia:** Low sodium levels, particularly in older adults, causing headache, confusion, weakness, and unsteadiness.
* **Seizures:** New onset seizures or worsening of existing seizure disorders.
* **Angle-closure glaucoma:** Can cause eye pain, vision changes, or swelling in or around the eye.
* **Movement disorders:** Including akathisia (restlessness) or extrapyramidal symptoms.
* **QT prolongation:** A rare but serious heart rhythm problem.
* **Allergic reactions:** Rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing.
It is crucial to report any concerning side effects to a healthcare provider. This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Several important warnings are associated with the use of sertraline to ensure patient safety and proper treatment outcomes. These are typically highlighted in the FDA label and clinical guidelines.
* **Suicidality in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults:** Antidepressants, including sertraline, carry a boxed warning regarding an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in patients 24 years of age and younger. Close monitoring is essential, particularly during initial treatment and dose adjustments.
* **Discontinuation Syndrome:** Abruptly stopping sertraline can lead to withdrawal-like symptoms, often called antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, headache, anxiety, agitation, sensory disturbances (e.g., 'electric shock' sensations), and sleep disturbances. Tapering the dose gradually under medical supervision is typically recommended.
* **Serotonin Syndrome:** The risk of developing serotonin syndrome is elevated when sertraline is used concurrently with other serotonergic drugs (e.g., triptans, other antidepressants, tramadol, St. John's Wort). Symptoms require immediate medical attention.
* **Activation of Mania/Hypomania:** Sertraline may induce manic or hypomanic episodes in susceptible individuals, particularly those with undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Patients should be screened for bipolar disorder before initiating treatment.
* **Abnormal Bleeding:** SSRIs, including sertraline, can impair platelet aggregation, increasing the risk of bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding, and when co-administered with NSAIDs, aspirin, or anticoagulants.
* **Hyponatremia:** Cases of low sodium, sometimes severe, have been reported, primarily in elderly patients and those taking diuretics or who are otherwise volume-depleted.
* **Seizures:** Sertraline should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizure disorder.
* **Compromised Liver Function:** Patients with liver impairment may require lower doses and careful monitoring due to altered drug metabolism.
Patients should inform their healthcare provider about all medical conditions and medications before starting sertraline treatment. This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Sertraline is contraindicated in certain situations where its use could pose significant risks to the patient. These contraindications are critical for ensuring patient safety and are outlined in regulatory documents like the FDA label.
* **Concomitant use with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs):** Sertraline is absolutely contraindicated for use within 14 days of taking MAOIs (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, selegiline) or within 5 weeks of discontinuing sertraline before starting an MAOI. This is due to the severe and potentially fatal risk of serotonin syndrome.
* **Concomitant use with Pimozide:** Sertraline is contraindicated with pimozide (an antipsychotic) due to the risk of QT interval prolongation, which can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias.
* **Hypersensitivity:** Individuals with a known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to sertraline or any of its excipients should not use this medication. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
* **Concomitant use with linezolid or intravenous methylene blue:** These substances also possess MAOI activity and can significantly increase the risk of serotonin syndrome when used with sertraline.
It is essential for patients to disclose their full medical history and all current medications to their prescribing clinician to avoid potential contraindications. This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Combining sertraline with certain other medications or substances can lead to dangerous interactions, some of which can be life-threatening. Awareness of these interactions is crucial for safe medication use. (FDA label, DrugBank).
* **Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs):** Including phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, and the MAOI-like drugs linezolid and intravenous methylene blue. This combination is absolutely contraindicated due to the extreme risk of severe serotonin syndrome, characterized by high fever, confusion, rigid muscles, and rapid changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
* **Pimozide:** As noted under contraindications, co-administration with pimozine can dangerously prolong the QT interval and is contraindicated.
* **Other Serotonergic Drugs:** Concurrent use with other medications that increase serotonin levels can heighten the risk of serotonin syndrome. This includes triptans (for migraines like sumatriptan), other SSRIs, SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine, duloxetine), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), fentanyl, tramadol, lithium, buspirone, and the herbal supplement St. John's Wort.
* **Warfarin and other Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets:** Sertraline can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with blood thinners (like warfarin) or antiplatelet agents (like aspirin, clopidogrel, NSAIDs). Close monitoring for bleeding is necessary.
* **Alcohol:** Alcohol consumption is generally discouraged while taking sertraline. While not a direct interaction leading to a severe syndrome, alcohol can exacerbate central nervous system depression, drowsiness, and impair judgment.
* **Grapefruit or Grapefruit Juice:** Grapefruit can affect the metabolism of sertraline, potentially increasing its levels in the body and thus increasing the risk of side effects. It is generally advisable to avoid or limit grapefruit consumption.
Always discuss all prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and dietary changes with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting sertraline or combining it with other substances. This is educational information, not medical advice — consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping or combining any compound.
Sertraline is typically taken once daily, usually in the morning. Taking it with food is often recommended to help prevent stomach upset and may also aid in its absorption. Consistency in the timing of administration each day can help maintain stable drug levels in the body. Since sertraline has an approximate half-life of 26 hours, daily dosing is generally sufficient to achieve and maintain therapeutic concentrations.
For some conditions, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), the dosing regimen might differ. For PMDD, sertraline may be prescribed either continuously throughout the menstrual cycle or intermittently, only during the luteal phase (the 14 days prior to menstruation). The specific timing and duration will be determined by a licensed clinician based on the individual's needs and response to treatment. While some individuals may experience drowsiness, others may find it activating, so the morning timing is generally preferred for most to reduce the risk of insomnia. However, if sedation is a prominent side effect, a healthcare provider might suggest taking it in the evening. Dose is user-directed and must be set by a licensed clinician.
Source for this section: Sources for When should you take Sertraline HCl?: Jumps to this entry in the sources and references list at the end of the page.
What interacts with Sertraline HCl?
| Interacts with | Severity | Type | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any supplement + medication | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | Some supplements change how the body processes medications (absorption, liver enzymes, or additive effects).Source pending | Specific pairs are checked against a licensed drug database and shown with their own severity. Always confirm with your provider or pharmacist. |
| Any vitamin + medication | Note | Category ruleConfidence: theoretical | Certain vitamins interact with specific medications (e.g., vitamin K with blood thinners).Source pending | Specific pairs are checked against a licensed source; confirm with your provider. |
| Phenelzine | Avoid | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.Source pending | Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine). |
| Tranylcypromine | Avoid | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.Source pending | Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine). |
| Selegiline | Avoid | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.Source pending | Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine). |
| Rasagiline | Avoid | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | Combining SSRIs/SNRIs with MAOIs can cause life-threatening serotonin syndrome.Source pending | Do not combine. Allow at least 14 days between stopping one and starting the other (5 weeks for fluoxetine). |
| 5-HTP | Avoid | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | 5-HTP raises serotonin and layered onto an SSRI/SNRI risks serotonin syndrome.Source pending | Avoid combining 5-HTP with prescription serotonergic antidepressants. |
| L-Tryptophan | Caution | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | Additional serotonin precursor with an SSRI/SNRI can push serotonin too high.Source pending | Do not combine without a prescribing clinician's guidance. |
| St John's Wort | Avoid | Compound pairConfidence: theoretical | St John's Wort has serotonergic activity and induces CYP3A4, altering SSRI levels.Source pending | Avoid combining. |
Frequently asked questions about Sertraline HCl
Sertraline is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). (FDA label)
While some individuals may notice minor improvements in a few days, the full therapeutic effects of sertraline can take several weeks (typically 2 to 6 weeks, or sometimes longer) to become apparent. It's important to continue taking the medication as prescribed, even if you don't feel immediate changes. (MedlinePlus)
No, it is highly recommended not to stop taking sertraline suddenly. Abrupt discontinuation can lead to withdrawal-like symptoms, known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. This can include dizziness, nausea, headache, anxiety, and sensory disturbances. Any decision to stop or reduce the dose of sertraline should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, who can guide a gradual tapering schedule. (FDA label)
Weight changes can be a side effect of sertraline, though the effect varies among individuals. Some people may experience weight gain, while others may experience weight loss or no change. This can be due to various factors, including changes in appetite or metabolism. If you are concerned about weight changes, discuss them with your clinician. (Mayo Clinic)
Yes, sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of sertraline and other SSRIs. This can include decreased libido (sex drive), difficulty achieving orgasm (anorgasmia), or delayed ejaculation in men. These side effects should be discussed with your healthcare provider, who may explore strategies to manage them. (MedlinePlus)
Sertraline HCl is a medication, and interactions are possible with prescriptions, hormones, peptides and other supplements in the same routine. Because Sertraline HCl is usually taken in the morning, most avoidable conflicts come from what else lands in that same window. With a reported plasma half-life near 22 hours, separating doses can change the picture as much as removing one. Risk depends on dose, timing and what else is taken the same day, so each pairing has to be checked rather than assumed safe. The free checker at https://doseroutine.com/interaction-checker covers Sertraline HCl with no sign-up.
Sertraline HCl is typically taken in the morning. Published protocols usually have it taken with food. The reported plasma half-life is about 22 hours, which is what drives how often it is redosed. Ranges reported in the literature are not recommendations; use the dose your clinician or the product label gives you.
Combining a medication like Sertraline HCl with TRT is usually a question of labs rather than a blanket yes or no: the ester, injection interval and any aromatase inhibitor all change the answer. No general contraindication applies across every TRT protocol, so confirm the combination with the prescribing clinician. See the free TRT interaction reference: https://doseroutine.com/trt-supplement-interactions
Each peptide class carries its own profile against Sertraline HCl: a healing peptide raises different questions than a GLP-1 agonist or a growth-hormone secretagogue. Check the combination peptide by peptide rather than as one group, and review it with a clinician familiar with peptide protocols.
With a plasma half-life near 22 hours, once-daily dosing is the usual pattern for Sertraline HCl. It is typically taken in the morning. Most protocols have it taken with food. Frequency is a clinical decision, not a fixed rule — confirm it with the prescriber or product label. Comparison of apps that keep a schedule like this: https://doseroutine.com/best-dose-tracking-apps
With a plasma half-life near 22 hours, a single missed dose of Sertraline HCl usually has a smaller effect on overall exposure than an irregular pattern of missed doses does. Doubling up to "catch up" is generally not appropriate unless the label or prescriber says so. Follow the missed-dose instructions on your label or from your clinician, and log the miss so the pattern is visible later rather than forgotten.
For Sertraline HCl the useful record is the dose, the time it was actually taken, and what else was taken in the same window. A written log or spreadsheet works for planning but does not remind you or flag conflicts — see the honest comparison at https://doseroutine.com/vs/spreadsheet and the wider roundup at https://doseroutine.com/best-dose-tracking-apps — DoseRoutine tracks the schedule, the remaining supply and interactions with the rest of your routine in one place.
Yes. Zoloft is the brand; sertraline hydrochloride is the same active molecule sold generically. FDA-approved generics must demonstrate bioequivalence, so the clinical effect is considered interchangeable, though inactive fillers can differ between manufacturers. This is educational information, not medical advice.
FDA labeling lists nausea, diarrhea, insomnia or drowsiness, dry mouth, sweating, tremor and sexual side effects such as delayed orgasm or reduced libido as the most frequent. Gastrointestinal effects usually settle over the first weeks; sexual effects often persist while treatment continues. This is educational information, not medical advice.
Abrupt discontinuation can trigger discontinuation syndrome — dizziness, "brain zaps", irritability, flu-like symptoms — so labeling and guidelines advise a gradual taper supervised by the prescriber rather than stopping outright. This is educational information, not medical advice.
Which studies looked at Sertraline HCl?
Peer-reviewed research indexed in PubMed. Each entry links to the original record.
- 1.Concurrent administration of donepezil HCl and sertraline HCl in healthy volunteers: assessment of pharmacokinetic changes and safety following single and multiple oral doses(opens PubMed in a new tab)Br J Clin Pharmacol · 2004 · PMID 15496220 · https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15496220/
Sources cited on this page
Specific documents referenced by the numbered markers above. Each number matches the marker in the text.
- PubChem CID 63009(opens in a new tab)National Center for Biotechnology Information · pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/63009
Verify at
Publisher search links for Sertraline HCl. These are places to check the information — they are not citations, so they are not numbered.
- FDA-approved labeling (DailyMed)(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · publisher search
- MedlinePlus(publisher search, opens in a new tab)U.S. National Library of Medicine · publisher search
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Institutes of Health · publisher search
- DrugBank(publisher search, opens in a new tab)DrugBank Online · publisher search
- Cochrane Library(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Cochrane · publisher search
- Mayo Clinic(publisher search, opens in a new tab)Mayo Clinic · publisher search
- European Medicines Agency(publisher search, opens in a new tab)European Medicines Agency · publisher search
- PubMed literature search(publisher search, opens in a new tab)National Library of Medicine · publisher search
DoseRoutine compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician. How we source and review this information.
What is the short answer on Sertraline HCl?
Plain-text summary, safe to quote verbatim:
The generic name for Zoloft is sertraline hydrochloride, an SSRI antidepressant. "HCl" simply denotes the hydrochloride salt used to make the molecule stable and absorbable - sertraline and sertraline HCl are the same medicine. It is typically taken in the morning.
Source: DoseRoutine — https://doseroutine.com/library/sertraline-hcl
Cite this page
Using this in an article, AI answer, or research note? Please attribute:
DoseRoutine. (2026). Sertraline HCl — Overview, Benefits & Side Effects. Retrieved from https://doseroutine.com/library/sertraline-hcl
What compounds are similar to Sertraline HCl?
Others in the medication category or studied for the same goals.