Is sertraline addictive

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Sertraline and Addiction Potential: Key Insights

Sertraline Use in Treating Addictive Behaviors

Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is commonly used to treat depression and anxiety, but it has also been studied for its effects on various addictions, including shopping addiction, alcohol dependence, methamphetamine dependence, and cocaine dependence. Across these studies, sertraline is primarily evaluated as a treatment for addictive behaviors rather than as a substance with addictive potential itself 123456.

Evidence of Sertraline’s Addictive Properties

None of the studies reviewed report that sertraline is addictive. In clinical trials where sertraline was used to treat shopping addiction, alcohol dependence, methamphetamine dependence, and cocaine dependence, there is no mention of patients developing dependence or addiction to sertraline itself 123456. Instead, the focus is on sertraline’s effectiveness in reducing symptoms or delaying relapse in these conditions.

Side Effects and Relapse, Not Addiction

While some side effects such as headache and perspiration were observed in patients taking sertraline for shopping addiction, these were not related to addiction or dependence on sertraline . In studies involving substance use disorders, the main concerns were about the effectiveness of sertraline in reducing cravings or delaying relapse, not about patients becoming addicted to sertraline 23456.

Long-Term Use and Relapse Rates

Long-term follow-up in the shopping addiction study showed some relapse in addictive behavior, but this was a relapse of the original addiction (shopping), not the development of a new addiction to sertraline . Similarly, in studies of alcohol and drug dependence, relapse referred to the return to alcohol or drug use, not to sertraline use 23456.

Conclusion

Based on the available research, sertraline is not considered addictive. It is used as a treatment for various addictive behaviors and does not cause dependence or addiction in patients. The main concerns with sertraline are related to its effectiveness and side effects, not to the risk of addiction.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of sertraline (stimuloton) for treatment Shopping addiction

Sertraline (stimuloton) significantly improves shopping addiction symptoms compared to placebo, with side effects including headache and perspiration.

RCT

2018·

0citations

·Aliyev Na et al.

Sertraline treatment for alcohol dependence: interactive effects of medication and alcoholic subtype.

Alcoholic subtypes respond differently to sertraline treatment for alcohol dependence, with lower risk/severity (Type A) individuals showing more favorable outcomes compared to placebo.

RCTHighly Cited

2000·

220citations

·H. Pettinati et al.

Poor response to sertraline in methamphetamine dependence is associated with sustained craving for methamphetamine.

Sertraline treatment for methamphetamine dependence may lead to sustained craving and increased relapse risk in some individuals, despite psychosocial treatment interventions.

RCT

2011·

38citations

·T. Zorick et al.

Sertraline in the treatment of co-occurring alcohol dependence and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Sertraline effectively reduces alcohol use in individuals with less severe alcohol dependence and early-onset PTSD, but not in those with more severe alcohol dependence and later-onset PTSD.

RCTHighly Cited

2005·

140citations

·K. Brady et al.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial combining sertraline and naltrexone for treating co-occurring depression and alcohol dependence.

The sertraline plus naltrexone combination effectively treats co-occurring depression and alcohol dependence, leading to higher alcohol abstinence rates, longer relapse delays, and fewer serious adverse events.

RCTHighly Cited

2010·

214citations

·H. Pettinati et al.

Sertraline delays relapse in recently abstinent cocaine-dependent patients with depressive symptoms.

Sertraline delays relapse in cocaine-dependent patients with depressive symptoms, compared to placebo, after at least 2 weeks of abstinence.

RCTRigorous Journal

2012·

39citations

·A. Oliveto et al.

Repurposing the Antidepressant Sertraline as SHMT Inhibitor to Suppress Serine/Glycine Synthesis–Addicted Breast Tumor Growth

Sertraline and thimerosal show potential as a novel treatment strategy for serine/glycine synthesis-addicted cancers by inhibiting serine/glycine synthesis and mitochondrial metabolism.

In Vitro Study

2020·

45citations

·S. L. Geeraerts et al.

Sertraline and breastfeeding: review and meta-analysis

Sertraline is a safe and effective first-line drug for breastfeeding women, with low exposure in infants and few adverse events.

Meta-AnalysisRigorous Journal

2015·

52citations

·Emily A Pinheiro et al.

Sertraline in the Prevention of Depression

Sertraline effectively prevents relapse of depression and recurrence of further episodes, with few side-effects, throughout a 44-week study period.

RCTLarge Human TrialHighly Cited

1992·

253citations

·D. Doogan et al.

Pharmacology of sertraline: a review.

Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake blocker, shows potential antidepressant activity without side effects and may have broader clinical indications for body weight and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Literature Review

1988·

65citations

·J. Heym et al.

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