From the FDA Drug Label
The average terminal elimination half-life of plasma sertraline is about 26 hours. The half-life of Zoloft (sertraline) is approximately 26 hours 1.
From the Research
The half-life of Zoloft (sertraline) is approximately 26 hours in adults, as reported in the earliest study 2, but more recent and higher quality studies suggest that the half-life can range from 22.4 to 36.7 hours, depending on age and gender 3. This means it takes about 26 hours for half of the medication to be eliminated from your body after taking it. Due to this relatively long half-life, Zoloft is typically prescribed as a once-daily medication, allowing stable blood levels to be maintained with daily dosing. The drug reaches steady-state concentration in your system after about one week of consistent use. For elderly patients or those with liver impairment, the half-life may be longer, potentially up to 36 hours, as these conditions can slow the metabolism of the medication, as shown in a study published in 1997 3. This extended half-life is beneficial for treatment adherence but also means that if you stop taking Zoloft, it will take about 5-6 days (about 5 half-lives) for the medication to be almost completely eliminated from your system, which is why tapering is often recommended rather than abrupt discontinuation to minimize withdrawal effects. Some studies have also investigated the pharmacokinetics of sertraline in adolescents, showing that the half-life can be significantly shorter in this population, with a mean steady-state half-life of 15.3 hours at a dose of 50 mg/day 4. However, the most recent and highest quality study on this topic is from 1997, which provides the most accurate estimate of the half-life of sertraline 3. Key points to consider when prescribing Zoloft include:
- The half-life of the medication can vary depending on age and gender
- The medication is typically prescribed as a once-daily dose
- The drug reaches steady-state concentration in about one week
- Elderly patients or those with liver impairment may have a longer half-life
- Tapering is recommended when stopping the medication to minimize withdrawal effects.