Zoloft Gets FDA OK For Social Phobia

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Zoloft Gets FDA OK For Social Phobia - Pfizer

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc. on Monday said it had won

permission from US regulators to market its blockbuster depression

drug Zoloft for additional use as a treatment for " social anxiety

disorder. "

 

People with the condition, also known as social phobia, often fear

public speaking, acting in plays, playing musical instruments in

public and eating in front of others, according to the Merck Manual

of medical information--situations that in an earlier era might have

been characterized as shyness.

 

The New York-based company said Zoloft is the first member in its

popular class of depression drugs, known as selective serotonin

reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to win approval for long-term treatment

of patients with the anxiety disorder. It was also approved for

acute, or short-term, treatment for the disorder.

 

Pfizer said people with the disorder experience " anxiety, fear and

avoidance behaviors " in certain social situations.

 

Analysts have said its approved use for social-phobia could help

sustain or boost sales of Zoloft, which boasted fourth-quarter

global revenues of $775 million. Pfizer said Zoloft is the most-

prescribed SSRI in the United States. Other members of the class

include GlaxoSmithKline's Paxil and Eli Lilly's Prozac.