Definition

A medication used to treat depression and anxiety by increasing the level of serotonin in the brain.

Example

The doctor prescribed sertraline to help manage her anxiety symptoms.

Conversation

I heard you started taking sertraline recently, how's that going?

It's been pretty good so far; it really helps with my mood.

That's great to hear! I was curious if it made a big difference for you.

Definitely, I feel more balanced and less anxious these days.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sertraline is a coined term, derived from the chemical structure of the compound. The prefix 'ser-' is derived from 'serotonin', a neurotransmitter, and '-traline' is a suffix used in the names of various antidepressants. The word refers to a medication that acts on serotonin levels in the brain to help alleviate depression and anxiety.

Memory Tip

Think of 'serotonin' as the key element in this medication, which helps to balance mood and emotions.

Visually Confused Words