Sertraline Uses Sertraline is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
How Sertraline Works Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. It functions by increasing the levels of serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain. This enhancement improves mood and alleviates physical symptoms of depression, as well as relieving symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and anxiety.
Common side effects of Sertraline include insomnia (difficulty sleeping), nausea, diarrhea, tremors, abdominal pain, decreased libido, dizziness, ejaculation disorder, headache, sleepiness, agitation, and weight loss.