Zoloft (Sertraline) for Alzheimer's

Overview
Zoloft is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat major depressive disorder in adults. Zoloft is also known by its drug name, Sertraline. Zoloft is sometimes prescribed to treat low mood and irritability in people with Alzheimer’s disease when non-drug approaches have failed to address these symptoms. Since the FDA has not approved Zoloft specifically for this usage, it is considered “off-label.”

Zoloft is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Zoloft is believed to work by changing the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

How do I take it?
Zoloft is generally taken once a day.

Zoloft comes in tablet and oral concentration forms.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Zoloft lists common side effects including nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, rash, headache, sexual dysfunction, dry mouth, and weight loss.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Zoloft include serotonin syndrome, which may be life-threatening.