😳 Since one of sertraline’s common side effect is diarrhea 💩, I called this piece ‘Squirtraline’. 💦 🤣⁠
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💊 Sertraline belongs to the class selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. SSRIs are like the traffic controllers of your brain’s serotonin levels. They help ensure that serotonin sticks around longer, improving symptoms of depression and anxiety. ⁠
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🧠TIP: Serotonin is your ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter. It is responsible for regulating mood, emotions, and even appetite. Sertraline’s role is to increase the amount of serotonin available in the brain by inhibiting its reuptake. Notice how SERtraline looks similar to SERotonin. ⁠
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🌟Common side effects to know: ⁠
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-Nausea/diarrhea⁠
-Headache⁠
-Changes in sleep pattern⁠
-Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction⁠
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👉🏻Other than sexual side effects, symptoms often improve or resolve with time. ⁠
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🗒️ Note: Sertraline is the most likely of the SSRIs to cause diarrhea. Research shows it may occur in up to 20% of people. Don’t fret – educate your patients that it will usually get better within a few weeks and to use antidiarrheal medications (ex: loperamide) in the short term. ⁠
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💊 Starting doses: 12.5-25 mg daily and may increase to 25-50 mg increments⁠
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