Minimum Sertraline Dosage Available
The minimum sertraline dosage available is 25 mg once daily, which is the FDA-approved starting dose for panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder in adults. 1
Standard Dosing by Indication
Adults
For Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: The initial dose is 50 mg once daily 1
For Panic Disorder, PTSD, and Social Anxiety Disorder: Treatment begins at 25 mg once daily for one week, then increases to 50 mg once daily 1
For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: The starting dose is 50 mg daily, either throughout the menstrual cycle or limited to the luteal phase 1
Pediatric Patients
Children ages 6-12 with OCD: The initial dose is 25 mg once daily 1
Adolescents ages 13-17 with OCD: The initial dose is 50 mg once daily 1
Special Population Considerations
For patients with Alzheimer's disease and depression, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends starting at 25-50 mg per day. 2 This lower starting dose approach is also appropriate for anxiety-prone patients who may experience initial worsening of symptoms with SSRIs 2
Therapeutic Range and Titration
The therapeutic range across all approved indications is 50-200 mg/day 2
Dose increases should occur at intervals of at least 1 week, given sertraline's 24-hour elimination half-life 1
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends dose adjustments at approximately 1-2 week intervals for shorter half-life SSRIs like sertraline 2
Important Clinical Considerations
At low doses (such as 25 mg), some patients may require twice-daily dosing due to sertraline's relatively shorter half-life compared to other SSRIs. 2 This is particularly relevant when initiating therapy at the minimum 25 mg dose.
Sertraline can be administered at any time of day (morning or evening), though consistency in timing is recommended 2