Comprehensive medication guide to Sertraline including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay for generic sertraline; Tier 1 on most commercial and Medicare Part D plans. Prior authorization rarely required. Brand Zoloft is non-preferred on most plans and may require step therapy.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$20–$40 retail for generic sertraline without discounts; as low as $3.65–$10 per month with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons for a 30-day supply. Brand-name Zoloft costs $440–$560 without insurance.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Sertraline is a prescription antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Originally sold under the brand name Zoloft by Pfizer, it was FDA-approved on December 30, 1991, and has been available as a generic since 2006. It is one of the most prescribed medications in the United States.
Sertraline is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children age 6+, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and social anxiety disorder. It is also frequently prescribed off-label for generalized anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and other conditions.
Sertraline is available as tablets (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg), capsules (150 mg, 200 mg), and an oral solution (20 mg/mL). It is taken once daily, with or without food, at any consistent time of day.
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Sertraline works by blocking the serotonin transporter (SERT), preventing the reuptake (recycling) of serotonin from the synaptic gap back into the presynaptic neuron. This increases the concentration of serotonin in the synapse, amplifying serotonergic neurotransmission in mood- and anxiety-regulating brain circuits.
Unlike older antidepressants (tricyclics and MAOIs), sertraline is selective — it has minimal affinity for histamine, acetylcholine, GABA, or dopamine receptors, which accounts for its generally favorable side effect profile. Over 2–6 weeks of treatment, downstream neuroadaptations — including receptor downregulation and increased BDNF expression — produce lasting improvements in mood, anxiety, and obsessive thinking.
Sertraline moderately inhibits the CYP2D6 enzyme, which affects the metabolism of some other medications. Its half-life is approximately 26 hours, meaning once-daily dosing maintains stable blood levels. Full therapeutic benefit typically takes 4–6 weeks to emerge.
25 mg — tablet
Starting dose for sensitive patients, elderly, or children with OCD
50 mg — tablet
Standard starting dose for most adults with MDD, OCD, or anxiety
100 mg — tablet
Common maintenance dose for depression and OCD
150 mg — capsule
Higher-dose capsule formulation; useful for patients needing doses above 100 mg without splitting tablets
200 mg — capsule
Maximum dose capsule; maximum recommended daily dose
20 mg/mL — oral solution
Liquid formulation; must be diluted before use; contains 12% alcohol; useful for patients who cannot swallow tablets
Sertraline is generally available and is not listed as an active nationwide shortage by the FDA as of 2026. Multiple manufacturers — including Accord, Cipla USA, Lupin, Exelan Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer (brand Zoloft) — are currently producing it. The overall availability has improved significantly from the disruptions seen during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022).
However, localized stock gaps remain common at the pharmacy level, particularly for 25 mg and 50 mg tablets and the oral solution. Each pharmacy chain contracts with specific manufacturers, and if that supplier is backlogged, the pharmacy may be out of stock even when the drug is nationally available. Patients in some areas — particularly rural or underserved markets — may need to contact multiple pharmacies to fill their prescription.
If you're having trouble locating sertraline, medfinder can help. Enter your medication, dose, and zip code and medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription — then texts you the results.
Because sertraline is not a controlled substance (no DEA scheduling), it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority. There are no DEA registration requirements or quantity limitations specific to sertraline prescribing.
Telehealth prescribing is widely available for sertraline. Because it is not a controlled substance, there are no DEA restrictions on virtual prescribing. Patients can be evaluated and receive an e-prescription via video or phone through platforms such as Talkiatry, Brightside, Cerebral, Teladoc, MDLive, and many general telehealth services. Most major insurance plans now cover telehealth mental health visits.
No. Sertraline is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It does not have abuse potential or dependence liability in the way that benzodiazepines or stimulants do.
Being non-controlled has practical benefits: sertraline can be prescribed with standard refills (no monthly new prescription required), called in to the pharmacy over the phone, and prescribed via telehealth without an in-person evaluation requirement. There are no DEA quota restrictions on its production. However, patients should not stop sertraline abruptly — discontinuation syndrome (dizziness, nausea, irritability, "brain zaps") can occur when the drug is stopped suddenly without tapering.
The following side effects are reported in 5% or more of patients taking sertraline and tend to be most pronounced in the first 1–4 weeks of treatment:
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Escitalopram (Lexapro)
SSRI; FDA-approved for MDD and GAD; well-tolerated; Tier 1 generic; approximately $9–$15/month with GoodRx.
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
SSRI; FDA-approved for MDD, OCD, panic disorder, PMDD, bulimia; long half-life reduces discontinuation syndrome risk; approximately $4–$8/month generic.
Citalopram (Celexa)
SSRI; FDA-approved for MDD only; affordable at approximately $4–$10/month; dose capped at 40 mg/day (20 mg in elderly) due to QTc concerns.
Paroxetine (Paxil)
SSRI; broadest FDA indication overlap with sertraline (MDD, OCD, PTSD, panic, social anxiety, GAD, PMDD); higher risk of discontinuation syndrome and anticholinergic effects.
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MAOIs (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, linezolid)
majorAbsolute contraindication. Combining sertraline with MAOIs causes potentially fatal serotonin syndrome. Require a 14-day washout period in both directions.
Pimozide (Orap)
majorContraindicated. Sertraline increases pimozide blood levels ~40%, risking dangerous QT interval prolongation and fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Thioridazine (Mellaril)
majorContraindicated. Sertraline inhibits CYP2D6 metabolism of thioridazine, raising blood levels and increasing risk of fatal QT prolongation.
Tramadol
majorRisk of serotonin syndrome; also lowers seizure threshold. Use with caution and close monitoring.
St. John's Wort
majorHerbal supplement with serotonergic activity. Combining with sertraline increases serotonin syndrome risk. Avoid during sertraline treatment.
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin)
moderateIncreased bleeding risk due to impaired platelet serotonin. Avoid routine high-dose NSAID use; occasional low-dose use is lower risk.
Warfarin and anticoagulants
moderateSertraline may increase anticoagulant effect and bleeding risk. Monitor INR closely when starting or changing sertraline dose.
Triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan)
moderateRisk of serotonin syndrome when combined. Monitor carefully if combination is clinically necessary.
Lithium
moderateEnhanced serotonergic effects; increases tremor risk. Monitor patients carefully for signs of serotonin toxicity.
Alcohol
minorWorsens depression and anxiety; increases sedation; reduces medication effectiveness. Limit or avoid.
Sertraline is one of the most studied, most prescribed, and most trusted antidepressants in the world. With FDA approval across six distinct conditions, a well-characterized safety profile, no controlled substance restrictions, and a generic price as low as $3–$10/month, it is highly accessible for most patients.
The primary ongoing patient challenge is locating sertraline in stock at a local pharmacy. While the drug is not in a national shortage as of 2026, localized stock gaps at the pharmacy level remain common — particularly for 25 mg and 50 mg tablets. Planning ahead, using mail-order pharmacy, and knowing where to search when stock gaps occur will help ensure treatment continuity.
If you're having difficulty filling your sertraline prescription, medfinder can locate which pharmacies near you have your medication in stock and text you the results — so you can skip the phone calls and get your prescription filled.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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