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.
In the NAFDAC register
1 registered product
from 1 registration holder
See all 1 registered brand →What it costs online
Price varies — check with a pharmacy. This drug has not yet appeared in our fortnightly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies.
Brands of Sertraline in Nigeria
Those 1 product from 1 registration holder include combination products and older listings; below are the most common brands.
Sertraline Price in Nigeria
Sertraline prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.
We show a price here once it appears in our monthly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies (MedPlus, HealthPlus), or when we have a reliable market figure. For now, confirm the current price directly with a licensed pharmacy.
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
Where to Buy
Buying Sertraline by the carton
Cartons are bought at Nigeria's four open drug markets. Each guide names the sellers there you can contact, and how to buy safely:
No shop we list has Sertraline on its confirmed product list yet — the market guides still tell you where the trade happens and how to buy there safely.
Wherever you buy, buy only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors — not roadside vendors — and verify the pack's NAFDAC registration before you pay. Buying Sertraline in bulk or for resale? See how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely.
Need Sertraline in bulk, or can't find it near you?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a verified, NAFDAC-registered source.
What is Sertraline?
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.
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).
Daily puzzle: Meddle — pair five brands with their medicines. New game at midnight.