# Sertraline in Nigeria - Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/sertraline/ - Drug class: SSRI antidepressant (Mental Health) - Also known as: Zoloft, Serlift, Lustral - Prescription required: yes - On the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines - Last updated: July 2026 ## 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. ## 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? - 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 Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information. - 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: 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 (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 Do not take if: 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. 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 in Nigeria Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Zoloft (Pfizer, made in United Kingdom); Serlift (Cipla, made in India). Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/sertraline/brands/ ## How to verify it is genuine 1. Get sertraline on prescription from a licensed pharmacy 2. Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack and verify it on the NAFDAC Green Book or app 3. Check the expiry date and that the packaging is sealed and untampered 4. Genuine tablets should be uniform; discard any that look irregular 5. For Zoloft (Pfizer) or Serlift (Cipla), check the manufacturer branding and batch number; for generics, confirm the manufacturer 6. Avoid buying antidepressants from unverified online or social-media sellers — this is a prescription medicine that needs a doctor's involvement Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/ ## FAQs ### 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. ## Sources - NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria) - WHO Model List of Essential Medicines - British National Formulary (BNF) - Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)