Can Sertraline be used to treat OCD? (3 research findings)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss using Sertraline (also known as Zoloft) to treat OCD. We will also look at research findings, recommended doses, and how to ensure the safe and effective use of Sertraline in OCD.
Can Sertraline be used to treat OCD?
Yes, Sertraline (Zoloft) can be used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It has been approved by the FDA for OCD treatment. As a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), Sertraline has shown its effectiveness in managing OCD symptoms (1).
What does research suggest?
Research studies have shown that Sertraline can be helpful for strange and distressing thoughts, which lead to specific behaviours to deal with these thoughts. Patients with OCD may also develop feelings of fear of harm from others.
Such thoughts and behaviours impact the patient’s life to a large extent(4). Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is used for various mental health conditions including depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Researchers believe that serotonin plays an important role in OCD. In a reported case study, patients took different doses of Sertraline for 8 weeks, and their symptoms improved compared to the fake pill. In contrast, when patients took fixed doses of Sertraline for 12 weeks, it also worked well.
This study suggests that Sertraline is safe and effective for treating OCD (5). Sertraline also improved the quality of life for the patients using the medication and prevented the return of OCD symptoms (2).
Another case study looked at how well Sertraline works for patients with OCD over a long time. The results showed that most patients who took Sertraline for two years continued to get better and didn’t cause many problems proving it to be a safe medication (6).
What are the dosage recommendations of Sertraline for OCD?
Following are the dosage recommendations of Sertraline for OCD:
| Age group | Dosage Administration | Maximum daily dose |
| Adults or teenagers | 50mg once a day | 200mg |
| Children aged 13-17 | 50mg once a day | 200mg |
| Children aged 6-12 | 25mg once a day | 200mg |
| Children aged 6 or below | Not recommended (1) | – |
How to ensure safe and effective use of Sertraline in OCD?
Zoloft is taken once a day in the morning or evening and it is better absorbed when taken with food. If the patient is not responding well to the prescribed dose, the doctor may increase the dose at weekly intervals, however, it should not exceed the maximum limit of 200mg per day.
Your doctor may wait for a week before increasing the dose to see how it’s working. Sertraline is safe for elderly people, but your doctor may start with a lower dose due to certain health concerns.
Elderly patients may also benefit from a therapy called ”Exposure and Response therapy”, as it is found to be an effective therapy for older patients with OCD to reduce their symptoms.
The dose of Sertraline depends on the condition and other health problems of a patient so it can vary from person to person. If a patient is found to have mild liver problems alongside OCD, the doctor may prescribe low doses of Sertraline.
Due to insufficient research data, Sertraline is not recommended for patients who have moderate to severe liver problems. Some patients may also experience a few common side effects when taking Zoloft for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including nausea, diarrhoea, tremors, stomach discomfort, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, agitation, sweating, or sexual side effects.
Children using Sertraline for OCD should be strictly monitored for any possible side effects, especially at the beginning of treatment. Some children may experience unusual thoughts or behaviours.
Some may lose their appetite, so it is important to monitor their weight and growth throughout the treatment of OCD with Sertraline(1,3). If Sertraline is not improving your OCD symptoms, inform your doctor. They may increase the dose at weekly intervals and assess your response accordingly.
Who should not use Sertraline for OCD?
You should not use Sertraline if you are hypersensitive to it and take certain medications like Disulfiram, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAI) antidepressants, or Pimozide (an anti-psychotic drug).
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the use of Sertraline in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The research studies have shown its effectiveness in helping patients with OCD manage their symptoms.
Dosage recommendations for Sertraline vary depending on age, with maximum daily doses specified for different age groups. If Sertraline does not lead to improvement in your OCD symptoms, inform your doctor. They may increase the dose gradually at weekly intervals, but it should not exceed 200mg per day.
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References
1.-
Zoloft. Highlights of Prescribing Information. FDA [Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/019839s74s86s87_20990s35s44s45lbl.pdf
2.-
Koran LM, Hackett E, Rubin A, Wolkow R, Robinson D. Efficacy of sertraline in the long-term treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Am J Psychiatry. 2002 Jan;159(1):88-95. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.159.1.88. PMID: 11772695. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11772695/
3.-
MedlinePlus. Sertraline: MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2023 Jan 2]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697048.html
4.-
Brock H, Hany M. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. 2023 May 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 31985955. Available from:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31985955/
5.-
Chouinard G. Sertraline in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder: two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1992 Oct;7 Suppl 2:37-41. doi: 10.1097/00004850-199210002-00007. PMID: 1484177. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1484177/
6.-
Rasmussen S, Hackett E, DuBoff E, Greist J, Halaris A, Koran LM, Liebowitz M, Lydiard RB, McElroy S, Mendels J, O’Connor K. A 2-year study of sertraline in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1997 Nov;12(6):309-16. doi: 10.1097/00004850-199711000-00003. PMID: 9547132. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9547132/
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