Sertraline - Wow!
Discussion
I went to see my GP on Tuesday and was prescribed Sertraline 100mg/24 for depression. I have to say, it was the best thing I talked myself into and out of, and back into again. But that's another story. Already my head feels better.
But the side effects!
Tueday, first tablet. An hour after taking it, massive acid stomach, burping, yawning. Emergency Rennies from a pharmacy. Ended up taking four over an hour and just about calmed it to bearable. Was wide awake all night, about two and a half hours sleep.
Wednesday, second tablet. No acidity which was a massive relief, but a banging headache and feeling nauseous like I'd had too much to drink the night before, but like totally off my box too much to drink.
Today, third tablet. No acidity, yay! no headache, but I feel spaced out. Still feel nauseous if I yawn (which is weird) but slept well for seven hours. Feel physically like I'm trembling, but I'm not. Just feel weird in a not entirely unpleasant way.
Anyway, do these side effects last all the time I'm on the tablets, or will things calm down? I'm not missing the acid stomach or insomnia and the nausea was manageable, but the spaced out thing is alright for now but will become really frustrating if it doesn't calm down!
But the side effects!
Tueday, first tablet. An hour after taking it, massive acid stomach, burping, yawning. Emergency Rennies from a pharmacy. Ended up taking four over an hour and just about calmed it to bearable. Was wide awake all night, about two and a half hours sleep.
Wednesday, second tablet. No acidity which was a massive relief, but a banging headache and feeling nauseous like I'd had too much to drink the night before, but like totally off my box too much to drink.
Today, third tablet. No acidity, yay! no headache, but I feel spaced out. Still feel nauseous if I yawn (which is weird) but slept well for seven hours. Feel physically like I'm trembling, but I'm not. Just feel weird in a not entirely unpleasant way.
Anyway, do these side effects last all the time I'm on the tablets, or will things calm down? I'm not missing the acid stomach or insomnia and the nausea was manageable, but the spaced out thing is alright for now but will become really frustrating if it doesn't calm down!
NB: I'm not medically qualified, however, I do work for a pharma company dealing with reports of adverse events (otherwise known as side effects) and although that is not one of our products, it is quite common for this kind of side effects to settle down after a couple of weeks.
A quick Google show that for Sertraline:
"feeling sick (nausea), headaches and trouble sleeping are common, others less so and if they continue for more than 2 weeks or become severe then consult with your doctor."
A quick Google show that for Sertraline:
"feeling sick (nausea), headaches and trouble sleeping are common, others less so and if they continue for more than 2 weeks or become severe then consult with your doctor."
Just finished the first month's prescription.
Not really had any adverse effects from the tablets save the 'spaced' out feeling.
I take mine just before turning in, the 'spaced' out feeling is very evident first thing in the morning but dissipates fairly quickly and accelerates after some food.
Not really had any adverse effects from the tablets save the 'spaced' out feeling.
I take mine just before turning in, the 'spaced' out feeling is very evident first thing in the morning but dissipates fairly quickly and accelerates after some food.
I'm a psychiatrist
Sertraline is my first line antidepressant as it's (relatively) safe, effective and well tolerated.
However the nausea agitation and headache etc start straight away - they're so common I call them 'effects' rather than side effects. It's a right PIA to feel worse before you feel better but on the positive side it's a sign the medication is getting into your brain and doing something.
100mg is a pretty sporting starting dose though. I normally start patients on 50mg and even use the paediatric dose 25mg for starting patients who are really sensitive to side effects.
You'll probably need between 100 and 150mg to get antidepressant effect which usually comes in after at least 2 weeks and may not peak until 3/12.
Look at other antidepressant measures such as mindfulness and CBT.
Sertraline is my first line antidepressant as it's (relatively) safe, effective and well tolerated.
However the nausea agitation and headache etc start straight away - they're so common I call them 'effects' rather than side effects. It's a right PIA to feel worse before you feel better but on the positive side it's a sign the medication is getting into your brain and doing something.
100mg is a pretty sporting starting dose though. I normally start patients on 50mg and even use the paediatric dose 25mg for starting patients who are really sensitive to side effects.
You'll probably need between 100 and 150mg to get antidepressant effect which usually comes in after at least 2 weeks and may not peak until 3/12.
Look at other antidepressant measures such as mindfulness and CBT.
I'm sitting watching TV now, feeling very normal.
Except when I yawn. That's like having a rush to the brain and quite odd. Lasts perhaps only a second, but a bit unnerving.
Oh, and my appetite is non existent. I have to consciously eat. I don't feel hungry at all. Not a bad thing as I could do with shedding a few pounds.
I don't think taking the tablets at night is a great idea, I take all my others in the morning. Plus they give me a massive 'wake up'. I'd never sleep!
Except when I yawn. That's like having a rush to the brain and quite odd. Lasts perhaps only a second, but a bit unnerving.
Oh, and my appetite is non existent. I have to consciously eat. I don't feel hungry at all. Not a bad thing as I could do with shedding a few pounds.
I don't think taking the tablets at night is a great idea, I take all my others in the morning. Plus they give me a massive 'wake up'. I'd never sleep!
oddman said:
I'm a psychiatrist
Sertraline is my first line antidepressant as it's (relatively) safe, effective and well tolerated.
However the nausea agitation and headache etc start straight away - they're so common I call them 'effects' rather than side effects. It's a right PIA to feel worse before you feel better but on the positive side it's a sign the medication is getting into your brain and doing something.
100mg is a pretty sporting starting dose though. I normally start patients on 50mg and even use the paediatric dose 25mg for starting patients who are really sensitive to side effects.
You'll probably need between 100 and 150mg to get antidepressant effect which usually comes in after at least 2 weeks and may not peak until 3/12.
Look at other antidepressant measures such as mindfulness and CBT.
I'm only on 50mg, and I'm certain it's having an effect on (100kg) me at that dose. I declined to up the dose to 100mg because I feel ok now. Do you think 50mg is too low to actually be doing anything useful, and I'm just getting one hell of a placebo effect? I don't care either way. I'm a big fan of the placebo effect. Sertraline is my first line antidepressant as it's (relatively) safe, effective and well tolerated.
However the nausea agitation and headache etc start straight away - they're so common I call them 'effects' rather than side effects. It's a right PIA to feel worse before you feel better but on the positive side it's a sign the medication is getting into your brain and doing something.
100mg is a pretty sporting starting dose though. I normally start patients on 50mg and even use the paediatric dose 25mg for starting patients who are really sensitive to side effects.
You'll probably need between 100 and 150mg to get antidepressant effect which usually comes in after at least 2 weeks and may not peak until 3/12.
Look at other antidepressant measures such as mindfulness and CBT.
On the subject of, erm, bedroom issues, it does take longer to get there, but my wife would probably say that's no bad thing in my case.
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