Sertraline is a antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. In general, sertraline efficacy is similar to that of other antidepressants.
It has been approved for major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder (SAD). It is approved for use in children with OCD.
Sertraline has been also successfully used for the treatment of social anxiety disorder.
All three major domains of the disorder (fear, avoidance, and physiological symptoms) respond to sertraline. Maintenance treatment, after the response is achieved, prevents the return of the symptoms.
