Sertraline
Zoloft
1 polar contact with 1 residue, each within 3.5 Å
Increases the amount of serotonin available in the brain by blocking its reabsorption into nerve cells, helping regulate mood.
How it works
Serotonin is a brain chemical that helps regulate mood, anxiety, and emotional balance. Normally, nerve cells release serotonin and then quickly reabsorb it. Sertraline blocks that reabsorption process, so more serotonin stays active between nerve cells for longer. Because it targets serotonin specifically, rather than several different brain chemicals at once, it tends to cause fewer of the side effects seen with older generations of antidepressants.
What it’s used for
Approved to treat major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (a severe form of PMS), and social anxiety disorder.
- Mechanism
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- CNS / Psychiatric
- Structure shown
- X-ray, 2017