Have been taking sertaline

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi all. Started taking sertaline 7.1.15. Started taking 50g then 100 and then increased to150. For the last 2 weeks have had diarrhea and have read about something called serotonin sydrome, which is an ingredient of sertraline. Has anyone had an upset stomach while taking this medication?

3 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Michelle,

    ive, just started,taking Setraline, couple of days, ago. 

    Starting at just 15 mg.. Per day.for one week..

    then up to 50 mg.

    but after only 2 days, I have awful, nausea and, diarrhoea,

    cant eat, .. Might have to call  the GP,

    Or wait it out and hope it settles Down. 

    This is one of the many side effects of Sertraline.

    i hope you manage to stay on them,, and they work for you..

    best regards 

  • Posted

    Hi Michele, sorry I got your name wrong... Typo error. 

    Also get nausea, loss of appetite, not had a proper meal for weeks. Again I don't know if this is a side effect of Sertraline or symptoms of depression. I'm drinking hi calorie drinks cos I just cannot face food. 

  • Posted

    Hi 

    just wondering after reading some of the comments about side effects of Sertraline,

    does the nausea and diarrhoea, ever subside?

    ive not been able to eat since I started it, 

    my appertite has gone completely, 

    i only take a 25 mg dose PD 

    for 1 week, then up to 50mg 

    i did not expect side effects quite so fast and so severe on a low dose..

    my abdomen is very sore, as if I've been given a punch, and if I touch the area 

    on my strurnam I break out into a hot and cold sweat.

    my outlook on life at the moment, is awful, I have no desire to get out the chair..

    no energy.. 

    Well rant over.. Any help appreciated .. cry

    • Posted

      If unsure always check with your doctor. Still have diarrhoea at the moment but don`t know if this due to sertraline or not. I would say to keep taking them as they take a while to work. good luck hope you better soon. x
  • Posted

    Hi Michele 

    just a few thoughts from a pharmacist, if it helps...

    (and I've taken sertraline and fluoxetine in the past!)

    yes, stomach side effects are common, you can get diarrhoea or constipation, and some peoples appetite will reduce while others may increase. This will pass in time, that is the key thing to remember. Stick with it! See a recent post by Blu02 on side effects of sertraline for ideas on how to cope with them while they last. A good idea is always take sertraline with breakfast to limit the upset to your stomach, even a small amount of food will help things if you can only face a cuppa and plain biscuit or toast.

    Re: serotonin syndrome, Your doctor will monitor you if you are on any other medicines which may contribute to this (making it more likely) or if you are on a high dose of an SSRI. Although diarrhoea can be a sign of SS, don't worry at this stage as it is also an expected side effect. If you feel particularly restless, agitated, feverish, with tremor, sweating and diarrhoea then of course contact your doctor.

    Try not to worry about the worst side effects possible; focus on good things and things you enjoy doing. 

    Best of luck!

     

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