Sertraline Dosing Frequency
Sertraline is given once daily, and can be administered at any time of day (morning or evening). 1, 2
Standard Dosing Schedule
The FDA-approved dosing is once daily administration for all approved indications including major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. 2
The 24-hour elimination half-life of sertraline (approximately 22-36 hours) makes it suitable for once-daily dosing, with steady-state plasma concentrations achieved after approximately 7 days. 2, 3, 4
Patients can take sertraline either in the morning or evening based on personal preference and tolerability—there is no therapeutic advantage to either timing. 1, 2, 5
Exception: Twice-Daily Dosing in Select Cases
At low doses, some patients may require twice-daily dosing according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, though this is the exception rather than the rule. 1
This twice-daily approach is not standard practice and would only be considered in specific clinical scenarios where once-daily dosing proves inadequate for symptom control throughout the day. 1
Practical Dosing Considerations
The starting dose is typically 50 mg once daily for major depressive disorder and OCD, or 25 mg once daily for panic disorder, PTSD, and social anxiety disorder (increased to 50 mg after one week). 2
Dose adjustments should not occur at intervals of less than 1 week due to the drug's elimination half-life. 2
The therapeutic range is 50-200 mg/day across all approved indications, administered as a single daily dose. 1, 2
For pediatric patients with OCD, dosing remains once daily: 25 mg for children ages 6-12 and 50 mg for adolescents ages 13-17. 2