A new study suggests that the antidepressant drug sertraline (Zoloft), from Pfizer Inc., may be effective in controlling symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). * Researchers at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas, randomized 57 women diagnosed with moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to treatment with Zoloft or a placebo at 14 days prior to the expected onset of menses to collect data; participants were switched to the other therapy after ... Read More

A recent study concludes that the antidepressant drug Zoloft (Sertraline) appears to be effective in reducing the number of panic attacks in patients with panic disorder. * Researchers at Detroit's Wayne State University randomized 168 patients with panic disorder to receive either sertraline or a placebo for 10 weeks to collect data. * Found that the average number of panic attacks suffered weekly by patients treated with sertraline dropped 88%, compared to ... Read More

Zoloft Brand Name: Zoloft Active Ingredient: sertraline hydrochloride Indication: Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder; also indicated for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder Company Name: Pfizer Inc. Availability: This new indication was approved by FDA on December 7, 1999 Introduction More than 100 million prescriptions for Pfizer's Zoloft have been written since its launch in 1992, helping patients with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. Now Zoloft is the first medication to be approved for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may ... Read More

Helps 3 in 5 people even without psychotherapy The antidepressant drug sertraline can provide relief from the disabling emotions that follow a traumatic experience, a study shows. The study was instrumental in gaining Food and Drug Administration approval for sertraline to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), says Dr. Jonathan R.T. Davidson, a professor of psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center who directed the trial. Marketed as Zoloft, it is the only drug ... Read More

Antidepressant relieves severe menstrual symptoms. Women suffering from a severe form of premenstrual syndrome were helped by Zoloft, according to a study of 200 women in a dozen medical centers. About 62% of the women showed "much or very much improvement" compared with 34% given a placebo. The PMS symptoms experienced by the women included poor concentration, depression and anger. ... Read More

Research question Is sertraline (Zoloft) effective at improving the symptoms and reducing the functional impairment associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)? Type of article and design Prospective, multicentre, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Relevance to family physicians As defined by DSM-IV criteria, PMDD has a group of physical and behavioural symptoms that occur during the premenstrual period and are severe enough to interfere with work, usual activities, and relationships. Premenstrual ... Read More

Cardiovascular In the current Zoloft labeling, it is noted that analysis of ECG data from 774 patients receiving sertraline in clinical trials revealed no pattern of significant ECG abnormalities. In this database, cardiovascular adverse experiences were not important causes of discontinuation from treatment and were not among the common, drug related adverse events. A slight decrease in mean heart rate was observed, as noted above. No serious adverse events involved the cardiovascular ... Read More