Sertraline is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the UK but it can cause some serious side effects
People taking sertraline can experience a wide range of side effects, some that may warrant a 999 call. Sertraline is one of the most prescribed antidepressants in the UK, with around two million people taking it each year.
It does this by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can help improve mood and treat a wide array of conditions. This can include depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Generally, sertraline is prescribed as a tablet and can take up to six weeks to fully start improving symptoms as the body gets used to it. Doctors will often prescribe sertraline as 25mg, 50mg, or as 100mg tablets.
Common side effects of Sertraline
Sertraline, like many other antidepressants, can cause a wide variety of side effects. However, these don’t affect everyone and can often be mild.
In fact, sertraline has been shown to cause far fewer side effects than older prescribed antidepressants. However, there are some side effects that are quite common and can affect more than one in 100 people, according to the NHS.
These include:
- Feeling sleepy
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
- Being unable to sleep
- Headaches
- Feeling tired or weak
- Dry mouth
- Feeling dizzy
If you are concerned about experiencing any of these side effects, it is generally recommended that you speak to a doctor or pharmacist. Generally, they can provide advice and tips on how to cope with them.
However, in some cases, people taking sertraline may experience more serious side effects. Furthermore, the NHS advises that some more serious side effects may mean that you either need to call 999 or go to A&E as soon as possible.
These side effects can include:
- Heavy bleeding or bleeding that you cannot stop, such as cuts or nosebleeds that do not stop within 10 minutes
- Painful erections that last longer than two hours – this may happen even when you’re not having sex
- Yhoughts about harming yourself or ending your life
- Headaches, trouble focusing, memory problems, inability to think clearly, weakness, seizures or fits, or loss of balance
- Severe dizziness or passing out
- Chest pain or pressure, or shortness of breath
Further details and NHS advice on taking sertraline and its side effects can be found here.