How long does sertraline take to work?

Not immediately — this is the most important thing to understand. Sertraline usually takes about two to six weeks to noticeably lift mood or ease anxiety, and some people actually feel a little more anxious or unsettled in the first week or two before it helps. That early phase is normal and is not a sign the medicine is failing. The key is to keep taking it consistently and stay in touch with your doctor, who may adjust the dose. If you feel no benefit after six weeks at an adequate dose, your doctor can review the plan.

Is sertraline addictive, and can I just stop it?

Sertraline is not addictive — you will not crave it or need ever-higher doses. However, if you have been taking it regularly, you should not stop suddenly, because your body gets used to it and stopping abruptly can cause unpleasant withdrawal-like symptoms such as dizziness, 'electric shock' feelings, irritability, and flu-like sensations. When it is time to stop, your doctor will lower the dose gradually over weeks. Always plan stopping with your doctor rather than quitting on your own, and don't stop just because you feel better — that often means it is working.

Can I take sertraline for anxiety, not just depression?

Yes. Although people think of sertraline as an antidepressant, it is one of the most commonly used and effective medicines for anxiety disorders too — including generalised anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. It works the same way, by raising serotonin levels in the brain, and takes similar time (weeks) to build its effect. For anxiety, doctors sometimes start at a very low dose to avoid the temporary jitteriness that can occur early on. It works best combined with talking therapy and lifestyle support.

Is it safe to take antidepressants like sertraline?

For most people who need them, yes — sertraline is well studied and generally well tolerated, and untreated depression and anxiety carry real risks of their own. The main safety points are: give it time (weeks) to work; be watched closely in the first weeks and, for people under 25, for any worsening mood or thoughts of self-harm; do not combine it with certain other drugs (like MAOIs or tramadol) without advice; and stop it gradually rather than suddenly. It is a prescription medicine, so a doctor should guide the whole process — and treatment usually works best alongside counselling or therapy.

Sertraline in Nigeria: Uses, Dosage, Price, NAFDAC Status

Key Facts

Drug Class: SSRI antidepressant
Prescription: Required
NAFDAC Status: Check Registration
Forms: Tablet
Price Range: ₦2,500 - ₦12,000
WHO Essential: Yes

What is Sertraline?

Sertraline is one of the most widely used antidepressants in the world and, increasingly, in Nigeria, as awareness of depression and anxiety grows and more people seek help. It belongs to a class called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and is taken as a once-daily tablet. It is sold as Zoloft, Serlift, and generic sertraline, and it is often the first antidepressant a doctor chooses because it is effective and generally well tolerated.

Sertraline works by increasing the amount of serotonin — a chemical messenger involved in mood — available in the brain. This gradually lifts low mood and eases anxiety, but it is not a quick fix: it usually takes two to six weeks to work, and some people feel more anxious or unsettled in the first days before it helps. That delay is normal and is not a reason to stop; the medicine should be given time, under a doctor's guidance.

Sertraline is a prescription medicine that should be started, dosed, and stopped with a doctor. It is not addictive, but it should not be stopped suddenly after regular use, as this can cause unpleasant withdrawal-like symptoms — the dose is reduced gradually instead. Importantly, in the first weeks and in young people, mood and any thoughts of self-harm should be watched closely. Mental-health treatment works best alongside talking therapy and support, not medicine alone. Buy from a licensed pharmacy and verify the NAFDAC number.

What is Sertraline used for?

In Nigeria, Sertraline is commonly used for:

Depression — lifting persistent low mood, loss of interest, and related symptoms
Anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder in some women

Dosage

IMPORTANT

Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.

Adults

Sertraline is usually started at a low dose — often 25mg or 50mg once daily — and increased gradually by a doctor if needed, up to a maximum of 200mg a day. It can be taken in the morning or evening, with or without food; if it makes you drowsy take it at night, if it disturbs sleep take it in the morning. It takes several weeks to reach full effect, so keep taking it consistently even before you feel better.

Children

Sertraline is used in some children and adolescents (for example for OCD or anxiety) only under specialist supervision, with close monitoring of mood, because young people need extra watching for changes in mood or self-harm thoughts early in treatment.

Elderly

Often started at a lower dose; watch for low sodium levels and dizziness.

Do not stop sertraline suddenly after taking it regularly — reduce it gradually with your doctor to avoid withdrawal-like symptoms (dizziness, 'electric shock' sensations, irritability). In the first two weeks, and especially in people under 25, watch closely for worsening mood, agitation, or thoughts of self-harm, and seek help urgently if they occur. Full benefit builds over 4-6 weeks. Combine it with talking therapy and support where possible.

Side Effects

Common side effects

•Nausea, especially in the first days or weeks
•Diarrhoea or stomach upset
•Headache
•Trouble sleeping or feeling drowsy
•Sexual side effects (reduced desire or difficulty reaching orgasm)
•Feeling more anxious or restless when first starting

Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately

New or worsening thoughts of self-harm or suicide, agitation, or a sudden change in mood — especially early in treatment or in young people — seek help urgently
Serotonin syndrome (agitation, high fever, sweating, tremor, fast heartbeat), particularly if combined with other serotonergic drugs
Unusual bruising or bleeding
Low sodium (confusion, weakness, unsteadiness), more common in older adults
Signs of a serious allergic reaction: swelling, rash, difficulty breathing

When to see a doctor

Seek help urgently for any new or worsening thoughts of self-harm, severe agitation, or symptoms of serotonin syndrome. Contact your doctor if nausea or other side effects are hard to tolerate, if you have unusual bleeding or bruising, or if you feel no better after several weeks. Never stop suddenly on your own — arrange a gradual reduction with your doctor.

Warnings & Precautions

Do not take Sertraline if you have:

Do not take with, or within two weeks of, MAOI antidepressants
Do not combine with pimozide
Use caution if you have epilepsy, bipolar disorder (it can trigger mania), liver disease, or a bleeding tendency
Do not stop abruptly after regular use — taper under medical guidance
Do not use if you are allergic to sertraline

Drug interactions

•MAOI antidepressants — dangerous combination (serotonin syndrome)
•Other serotonergic drugs (some painkillers like tramadol, triptans, St John's Wort) raise serotonin-syndrome risk
•Blood thinners (warfarin) and anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) increase bleeding risk
•Alcohol can worsen drowsiness and low mood
•Tell your doctor about all medicines and herbal products

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Depression and anxiety in pregnancy are important to treat, and sertraline is one of the antidepressants considered relatively safer in pregnancy and breastfeeding when needed — but this must be an individual decision made with a doctor, weighing the benefits of staying well against small potential risks. Do not stop or start it in pregnancy on your own; discuss it with your doctor, who will help you make the safest choice for you and the baby.

Brands of Sertraline in Nigeria

The NAFDAC registry holds 1 Sertraline product from 1 manufacturer, including combination products and older listings whose status you can check in the full list. Below are some of the most common brands — see the full, searchable list for all of them.

Brand Name	Manufacturer	Strength	Form
Zoloft	Pfizer	50mg, 100mg	Tablet
Serlift	Cipla	50mg, 100mg	Tablet
Sertraline	Various generic manufacturers	50mg, 100mg	Tablet

How to Verify Your Sertraline is Genuine

1Get sertraline on prescription from a licensed pharmacy
2Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack and verify it on the NAFDAC Green Book or app
3Check the expiry date and that the packaging is sealed and untampered
4Genuine tablets should be uniform; discard any that look irregular
5For Zoloft (Pfizer) or Serlift (Cipla), check the manufacturer branding and batch number; for generics, confirm the manufacturer
6Avoid buying antidepressants from unverified online or social-media sellers — this is a prescription medicine that needs a doctor's involvement

Use our NAFDAC Checker tool

Sertraline Price in Nigeria

Sertraline prices in Nigeria typically range from ₦2,500 to ₦12,000 per pack (30 tablets), depending on the brand, strength, and where you buy it.

₦2,500 – ₦12,000

per pack (30 tablets)

Prices vary by location and vendor. Last updated: 2026-07-18

Where to Buy

Purchase Sertraline only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors. Avoid buying medicines from unverified sources, roadside vendors, or unregistered market stalls.

Before you buy, verify the product's NAFDAC registration and check the current online prices above so you know a fair price before you pay.

Buying Sertraline in bulk or for resale? Our guide on how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely covers verifying a supplier and spotting fakes before a large order.

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Related Resources for Sertraline

Guides, articles, and tools related to Sertraline and other mental health medicines in Nigeria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

•NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Sertraline on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
•WHO Model List of Essential Medicines — Sertraline is included in the WHO's list of essential medicines, meaning it is considered essential for basic healthcare needs.
•British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Sertraline.
•Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).

Last updated: 18 July 2026

Sertraline