You should find a list of potential side effects on the patient information leaflet that should have come in your pack of tablets - a summary of these associated with that particular group of medicines (the SSRIs) can be found on this site under the FAQ section.

Please remember, however, that individuals will have different susceptibilities to particular side effects so you may not notice some / any, whereas somebody else may notice much more. Also, as your body gets 'used' to taking these many, if not all, will diminish so as to not be noticeable, or even disappear altogether.

If you've been prescribed medicines by your GP one must assume that there was an agreement from both sides that that was the most appropriate clinical route to take; other options might include some kind of counselling - I'm sure your GP / surgery could direct you as to what may be available locally were you to prefer that route. That may well have been discussed at your recent consultation.

Hope this has been useful.

Prescribing Advisor.

i am on my third day of taking sertraline 50mg and today i am feeling like i am walking around in a dream,i feel like im not really here. Lastnight i had a panic attack and i never have had one of these. i cant deal with feeling like this i have three kids to take care of so today is my last day.

i would not wory about them babe i am on 150 mg and have bin fine

As with any medication it has to be a balance of risks vs. benefits - this should have been discussed with you by your GP / treating clinician.

Side effects, unfortunately, tend to be noticeable first before specific improvement, but most, if not all, will either settle to be barely noticeable and quite 'tolerable' or disappear altogether - however, that will take some 2-3 weeks before all that settles, so it is a question of 'bearing with it' initially and not panicking. Obviously, any untoward / disturbing side effects should be reported asap to your GP. See FAQ section for list of common side effects.

No evidence that sertraline is particularly an issue in breast feeding, although any babies breast-fed when mum is taking these should be kept an eye on none-the-less. Clearly there are always exceptions; no detectable levels of sertraline in breast milk; babies will go through sleep and feeding ups and downs (like anybody else!) so you can't always assume that what you note is cause and effect, but it IS worth recording and keeping an eye out on - speak to your Health Visitor?.

I wouldn't delay taking the medication without otherwise talking to your GP - is the risk of NOT treating greater than the possible, low, risk of treating? ie. are you likely to relate / bond poorly with baby because your depressed? Is there a risk of harm / neglect to baby because of the PND? Would untreated PND put such a strain on your relationship with partner / friends that it would snowball to you and the baby? etc. etc.. All these need to be considered and more, in the light of very low risks to infant / baby esp. if someone is also keeping a close eye on him / her.

Hope this helps,

Public Health Pharmacist.

It is certainly not recommended as it can make you violently sick, and cause serious reflux. Hope this helps Selby