Sertraline in the treatment of anxiety disorders

Sertraline was first developed and approved for the treatment of depression . However, considerable research has been conducted on its use in anxiety d isorders. This paper reviews the data emerging from controlled and open tri als of the use of sertraline in anxiety disorders. Sertraline has been test ed extensively in the treatment of panic and obsessive-compulsive disorders . Less extensive testing has been completed on social phobia and post-traum atic stress disorder. The reviewed studies show that sertraline is an effec tive and well-tolerated treatment of all of these disorders. A comparison o f sertraline with other pharmacotherapeutic options shows it to be at least equivalent to other medications for anxiety disorders. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss , Inc.