Final answer:
Sertraline, known as Zoloft, is classified by the FDA as a category C drug for use during pregnancy, indicating that risk to the fetus cannot be ruled out.
Step-by-step explanation:
FDA Pregnancy Categories and Sertraline
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assigns pregnancy categories to medications to indicate their potential risks to a fetus when taken during pregnancy. Sertraline, commonly known by its brand name Zoloft, is classified as FDA pregnancy category C. This indicates that there have been no controlled studies in humans, but animal studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, or there are no animal reproduction studies and no adequate studies in humans. However, sertraline may still be prescribed to a pregnant woman if the healthcare provider believes that the benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn baby. Examples of other antidepressants similar to sertraline include fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro), which are also commonly prescribed for depression and other mood disorders.