Common Antidepressant Sertraline Shows Rapid Effects on Depression

A recent analysis from University College London has found that sertraline, commonly known as Zoloft, shows significant improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms within just two weeks of treatment.

This new study, published in Nature Mental Health, revisits the landmark PANDA trial, which initially indicated that sertraline alleviated anxiety before impacting depression. The researchers employed a detailed network analysis method, allowing them to track responses to specific symptoms rather than relying solely on overall depression scores.

This analysis included data from five hundred seventy-one participants who recorded their symptoms. The findings revealed that patients experienced measurable improvements in low mood and suicidal thoughts within the first two weeks.

Emotional symptoms like sadness, self-criticism, and restlessness also responded positively during this period. However, the study noted some physical side effects, including tiredness, reduced appetite, and lower libido, which may complicate the interpretation of results since these symptoms can overlap with depression itself.

Lead author Dr. Giulia Piazza emphasized that this new approach highlights the complexity of depression and anxiety, suggesting that they are not uniform conditions but rather clusters of symptoms that vary among individuals.

The analysis indicates that while emotional improvements begin early, physical symptoms might worsen initially but stabilize after approximately six weeks. Professor Glyn Lewis, who led the original PANDA trial, stated that these findings support the continued prescription of sertraline for those experiencing depressive and anxiety symptoms.

The research underscores the importance of understanding symptom-level effects in psychiatric treatment, which can enhance patient outcomes and guide clinical decisions. This study was supported by Wellcome and builds on the original findings of the PANDA trial, which received funding from the National Institute for Health Research.