Zoloft as Antidepressant Treatment: Safe Or May Cause Problems?

Last 1991, the pharmaceutical company Pfizer released an antidepressant drug Sertraline hydrochloride (brand names Zoloft and Lustral). Zoloft is categorized as an SSRI (Selective Reuptake Inhibitor) type of antidepressant. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, social anxiety disorders (social phobia) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are some of the psychological disorders treated by Zoloft. All in all, Zoloft apparently shows promise in achieving its role as an effective antidepressant drug. Nonetheless, this antidepressant drug is not as clean-cut as you think it is with controversies and allegations fresh from its tracks.

Controversies surrounding this drug arose on its initial release such as the questionable advertisement for Sertraline hydrochloride (brand name Zoloft) declared by its manufacturer, Pfizer: "While the cause is unknown, depression may be related to an imbalance of natural chemicals between nerve cells in the brain. Prescription Zoloft works to correct this imbalance. You just shouldn't have to feel this way anymore." Since the drug was not supported with a successful study which could justify its efficiency as an antidepressant drug, the wordings used in the advertisement was thought to be misleading to the public. For this case, a warning letter was issued to Pfizer which was sent by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

During the pre-marketing clinical trials conducted to test Zoloft's efficiency as an antidepressant drug, though, lower than usual outcome was gathered. The test shows that the drug can cause weak-to-moderate effect on severe depression, but has shown better result in placebo study for dysthymia, a milder form of depression disorder. That is why despite the unsatisfactory results from earlier studies, Zoloft was used to treat inpatients and outpatients who were suffering from depression.

Another issue circulating Zoloft is related to the drug's tendency to cause harmful effects to the fetus in pregnant women who allegedly took the drug for depression. The laboratory tests shows that fetal circulation are tainted with the drug's presence. Pregnant women unknowingly pass the drug to their child since some drugs easily undergo placental transfer. It was also found that birth defects is not the only possible complication of this drug, suicidal ideation has been found to be an increased consequence for those taking it as treatment for depression disorder. Those who were taking this drug will need to be monitored frequently for mood and behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, restlessness and other forms of suicidal ideation. If you are planning to stop taking Zoloft, better talk to your doctor first to prevent any complications.