Key facts
- Type: Antidepressant · SSRI
- ATC Code: N06AB06
- Kenya EML 2023: Listed
- Level of Use: Level 4 to 6
This is health education, not medical advice. Never start, stop, or change a medication without speaking to a qualified healthcare professional first.
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Prescription Only Medicine
Available on prescription from a registered healthcare provider in Kenya.
What it treats
Which conditions is Sertraline used for?
Depression · Generalised Anxiety Disorder · PTSD · OCD · Panic Disorder · Social Anxiety Disorder
Overview
What is Sertraline?
Sertraline is an antidepressant belonging to a family of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. It has been in use for several decades and is one of the most extensively studied psychiatric medicines in the world.
It is included in Kenya’s Essential Medicines List 2023, which means the government recognises it as a clinically essential medicine that should be available across public health facilities. It is used to treat a range of conditions beyond depression, including anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD.
Sertraline does not work immediately. Most people need to take it consistently for several weeks before noticing a meaningful difference. This is normal and does not mean the medicine is not working.
How it works
What does it do in the brain?
Sertraline works by increasing the availability of serotonin, a natural chemical messenger in the brain, in the spaces between nerve cells. Over several weeks, this sustained change helps regulate mood, anxiety, and emotional responses. The brain gradually adapts to these adjusted serotonin levels, which is why it takes time before the full benefit is felt.
Formulations in Kenya
How is it available?
Tablet 50 mg Taken by mouth Widely available
Tablet 100 mg Taken by mouth Available
Oral liquid 20 mg/mL Taken by mouth Limited availability
Availability across Africa
Where is it available in Africa and what is it called?
Names and availability vary by country. Always confirm with a local pharmacist or healthcare provider.
| Country | Common Brand Name(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Serta, Sertagen, Setralin, generic | On KEML 2023. Available at public and private facilities. |
| Nigeria | Zoloft, Fridep, Sertralin, generic | Widely available in private pharmacies; generic increasingly accessible. |
| South Africa | Zoloft, Lustral, generic | Widely available; included in Essential Medicines List. |
| Uganda | Generic sertraline | Available in urban centres and NDA-registered facilities. |
| Tanzania | Generic sertraline | Available in major towns and regional referral hospitals. |
| Ethiopia | Generic sertraline | Available through public health system and private pharmacies in Addis Ababa. |
| Ghana | Zoloft, generic | Available through private pharmacies and teaching hospitals. |
| Rwanda | Generic sertraline | Available through the national health system. |
| Zambia | Generic sertraline | Available at referral and mission hospitals. |
Side effects
What might you feel while taking it?
These are the most commonly reported effects. Not everyone experiences them, and many settle within the first few weeks.
- Nausea, especially in the first one to two weeks
- Headaches
- Difficulty sleeping or feeling more sleepy than usual
- Loose stools or an upset stomach
- Dry mouth
- Feeling more sweaty than usual
- Changes in sexual desire or response
- Changes in appetite or weight
Go to a doctor or emergency room straight away if you notice any of the following.
- Agitation, confusion, rapid heartbeat and fever at the same time. These together may signal serotonin syndrome, a medical emergency.
- Thoughts of harming yourself, especially in young people in the first few weeks
- Unusual bruising or bleeding that you cannot explain
Risks
Important risks you should understand before taking this medicine
Read this section carefully.
These are real risks associated with this medicine that every person taking it should be aware of.
- Sertraline can increase thoughts of suicide or self-harm in some people, particularly children, teenagers, and young adults in the first few weeks of taking it. Anyone starting this medicine should be monitored closely by a family member or carer during this period.
- If you are taking sertraline and your mood suddenly shifts into an unusually high, racing, or agitated state, stop and see a doctor. This may indicate an underlying bipolar condition that was not known before.
- Combining sertraline with other serotonergic medicines, certain pain killers, or herbal supplements can cause a condition called serotonin syndrome, which can be serious. Always disclose all medicines to your doctor.
- Sertraline increases the risk of bleeding, particularly in the stomach and gut. This risk is significantly higher if you take anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac alongside it.
- Stopping sertraline suddenly can cause withdrawal effects including dizziness, electric shock sensations, nausea, and irritability. Never stop without gradually reducing the dose under medical supervision.
Who should not take it
Important warnings before starting
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, allergies, and other medicines before starting Sertraline.
- You are currently taking a class of medicines called MAOIs. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if any medicine you take belongs to this group.
- You have had a serious allergic reaction to sertraline before
Special care needed
Situations that need extra attention
- Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems
- Tell your doctor if you have ever experienced episodes of very high mood, racing thoughts, or unusually reduced need for sleep
- If you take blood thinners, ibuprofen, or aspirin regularly, your doctor needs to know before you start
- Elderly patients will be monitored more closely as some side effects are more likely in older adults
Pregnancy
Speak to your doctor before taking sertraline during pregnancy. Do not stop without medical advice as untreated depression also carries risks for you and the baby.
Breastfeeding
Sertraline is considered one of the more compatible antidepressants during breastfeeding because very little passes into breast milk. Your doctor can advise for your specific situation.
Other medicines
Medicines and substances that can interact with it
Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement, and herbal remedy you take, including those bought without a prescription.
- MAOIs: Dangerous and must be avoided entirely. A waiting period between stopping one and starting the other is essential. Your doctor will guide you.
- Blood thinners such as warfarin: Sertraline can increase the effect of blood thinners, raising the risk of bleeding.
- Anti-inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen, aspirin, diclofenac): Raises the risk of stomach and gut bleeding significantly. Use paracetamol for pain relief where possible.
- Alcohol: Worsens side effects, particularly dizziness and drowsiness. Best avoided.
- St John’s Wort (herbal supplement): Can cause a dangerous interaction. Do not take alongside sertraline.
Tests and follow-up
What your doctor will monitor
- A follow-up appointment within the first two to four weeks is recommended
- Be open about your mood, side effects, and any thoughts of self-harm
- If you are elderly, your doctor may check your sodium levels in the blood
- For long-term use, your doctor will periodically review whether continuing treatment is appropriate
Stopping this medicine
What happens if you stop taking it?
Never stop sertraline suddenly without speaking to your doctor. Stopping abruptly causes withdrawal effects including dizziness, nausea, and electric shock sensations sometimes called brain zaps. Your doctor will guide you through a gradual reduction.
In Kenya
What you should know about this medicine in Kenya
Sertraline is widely available in Kenya in both public hospitals and private pharmacies. Because it is on the Essential Medicines List, it should be accessible at county and sub-county hospitals.
Generic versions are available at significantly lower prices than branded versions, improving financial accessibility for many families.
In Kenya, many people stop taking antidepressants once they begin to feel better, believing the medicine is no longer needed. This leads to relapse. Your doctor will advise how long you should continue, and this is typically longer than most people expect.
Sources
References
- Ministry of Health, Kenya. (2023). Kenya Essential Medicines List 2023. Nairobi: Ministry of Health.
- Ministry of Health, Kenya. (2023). Kenya National Medicines Formulary, 1st Edition. Nairobi: Ministry of Health.
- Cipriani, A., et al. (2018). Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder. The Lancet, 391(10128), 1357-1366.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222). London: NICE.
- World Health Organization. (2023). Model List of Essential Medicines, 23rd Edition. Geneva: WHO.