Kimberly Hritzak, PharmD, Resident

Sertraline (Zoloft) is effective and generally well tolerated for the short-term treatment of major depressive disorder in both children and adolescents.

Although the studies were not powered to detect a difference in efficacy and safety between age groups, decreased efficacy and increased side effects were seen in children ages 6 to 11 years. Because treatment with sertraline was only studied for 10 weeks, the efficacy and safety of long-term treatment remain unknown.

Sertraline (Zoloft) is effective and generally well tolerated for the short-term treatment of major depressive disorder in both children and adolescents.

Although the studies were not powered to detect a difference in efficacy and safety between age groups, decreased efficacy and increased side effects were seen in children ages 6 to 11 years. Because treatment with sertraline was only studied for 10 weeks, the efficacy and safety of long-term treatment remain unknown.

Sertraline (Zoloft) is effective and generally well tolerated for the short-term treatment of major depressive disorder in both children and adolescents.

Although the studies were not powered to detect a difference in efficacy and safety between age groups, decreased efficacy and increased side effects were seen in children ages 6 to 11 years. Because treatment with sertraline was only studied for 10 weeks, the efficacy and safety of long-term treatment remain unknown.