Starting Dose of Zoloft (Sertraline) for Adults
The recommended starting dose of Zoloft (sertraline) for adults is 50 mg once daily. 1
Dosing Guidelines by Condition
Sertraline dosing varies slightly depending on the condition being treated:
Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:
- Start with 50 mg once daily 1
Panic Disorder, PTSD, and Social Anxiety Disorder:
- Start with 25 mg once daily for one week
- Then increase to 50 mg once daily 1
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD):
- Start with 50 mg daily (either throughout the menstrual cycle or limited to the luteal phase) 1
Dose Adjustments
- If the patient does not respond adequately to the 50 mg dose, increases can be made in 50 mg increments at intervals of at least one week
- Maximum recommended dose is 200 mg daily 1
- Dose changes should not occur at intervals less than 1 week due to sertraline's 24-hour elimination half-life 1
Administration Guidelines
- Sertraline can be administered once daily, either in the morning or evening 1
- No dosage adjustments are necessary for elderly patients based solely on age 2
- Unlike some other SSRIs, sertraline has a relatively low potential for drug interactions 2
Clinical Considerations
- The 50 mg starting dose is generally considered the optimal therapeutic dose for most patients, balancing efficacy and tolerability 3
- Research indicates that continuing treatment at 50 mg may yield comparable antidepressant response to dose escalation in many patients 4
- Sertraline is well tolerated in both younger and elderly patients, with a similar adverse effect profile across age groups 2
Common Side Effects
- Most frequently reported adverse events include dry mouth, headache, diarrhea, nausea, insomnia, somnolence, constipation, dizziness, sweating, and taste abnormalities 2
Remember that while 50 mg is the standard starting dose for most adults with depression, the initial dose should be 25 mg for patients with panic disorder, PTSD, or social anxiety disorder, with an increase to 50 mg after one week.