Comment
Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Don’t expect – so need to be warned about), before the drug then starts to have more positive effects, which peak at around six weeks of use. Along this journey, the drug dose is adjusted based on the response and any side effects experienced.What are sertraline’s side effects?It’s going to vary between all of you. The common ones, diarrhoea, sleep disturbance, sexual dysfunction (lower libido, erectile dysfunction) may often appear in the first few weeks before then subsiding. One I have seen a lot of recently is teeth grinding in sleep but once again, these all seem to settle. Now you may have noticed that I mentioned earlier that sertraline is used for premature ejaculation – but now I’m saying it can cause sexual dysfunction. It’s true there is a conflict here. Overall, the drug helps improve your mood and mental wellbeing. This in turns feeds positively into your libido and sexual function and confidence. Ultimately the benefit often outweighs the risk.Can I get addicted to sertraline?Not really, no. It’s not uncommon, however for people to develop a psychological dependency. By this I mean, there’s this sense that by stopping the drug, their mental health will suffer. Truth is there’s no way of knowing. I’ve seen people come off it and maintain good mental health, while others see an immediate decline. It’s those latter cases that show sertraline’s benefit and the need for some to remain on it for longer.What if I want to stop sertraline?If you’re in the headspace for stopping, then it’s time to see your doctor. The dose of sertraline needs to be slowly reduced over weeks, monitoring how your mental health responds to this along the way. If you stop cold turkey you may experience symptoms of dizziness, nausea, rebound anxiety and depression, as well as flu-like symptoms. Let your doctor guide you through this period.Don’t forget the big picture...No drug is an island. Sertraline is no different. And that, is the big picture. Mental health is not cured alone with one drug. In fact, the drug is to compliment all other forms of equally important treatments – lifestyle changes and optimisation, including physical activity; talking therapy (CBT or psychotherapy) in groups, one to one, or with your family; support from mental health teams and last but not least, education on the condition itself. Sertraline has its place. Just not on a pedestal.Dr Nick Knight is a GP. Follow him on Instagram @dr.nickknightRead moreXanax: what you need to know.How to boost your libido.What are the benefits of CBD oil?
Add Comment