Expert: Robert Borucki - 6/29/2005

Question
Hi Doctor:
I was on Zoloft for about 2 years for panic disorder and have been off it now for about 4 months, since that time i have noticied some depression, when i was on the zoloft it helped a little with depression but it is no magic pill., a while back a psychogist told me that the ssri drugs hit different numbers of receptors, do you know which drugs hit the most?  I have since forgot what he told me, meanwhile i was told months ago if i have any problems to go back on to the zoloft which i have since did, and i see my psychiatrist in a month, at which time if zoloft has not done much for my depressed state i would like to try something else, one upside with the zoloft is the only side effect i had is ED.

Answer
which drugs and what receptors is a long discussion.  The true serotonin drugs like prozac, paxil, lexapro and others are pure serotonin drugs, while zoloft has dual action with some dopamine as well as  serotonin.  Welbutrin is more pure serotonin and then the newer ones like Cymbalta (and Effexor0 are also dual mode drugs that hit norepip and others.

Hope this helps... Zoloft has a laundry list of side effects, butin general I think most people get by fine with it.