*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Side Effects Of Sertraline

NHS medicines information on side effects of sertraline and what you can do to cope.

Like all medicines, sertraline can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.

Some of the common side effects of sertraline will gradually improve as your body gets used to it.

Some people who take sertraline for panic attacks find their anxiety gets worse during the first few weeks of treatment. This usually wears off after a few weeks, but speak to your doctor if it bothers you. A lower dose may help reduce your symptoms.

Common side effects

These common side effects of sertraline happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

Keep taking the medicine, but speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Serious side effects

It happens rarely (in less than 1 in 100 people), but some people may have serious side effects when taking sertraline.

Book an appointment with your doctor if you get:

changes in your periods, such as heavy bleeding, spotting or bleeding between periods
weight gain or weight loss without trying

Call a doctor or call 111 now if:

you have feelings of overwhelming happiness (euphoria), excessive enthusiasm or excitement, or a feeling of restlessness that means you cannot sit or stand still
the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow (this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin) - these can be signs of liver problems
you cough up blood or have blood in your pee
you have black or red poo or blood in your vomit - these can be signs of bleeding from the gut
you are bleeding from the gums, or get bruises that appear without a reason or that get bigger

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you:

get chest pain or pressure, or shortness of breath
get headaches, have trouble focusing, have memory problems, cannot think clearly, have weakness, have a seizure or fit, or lose your balance - these can be signs of low sodium levels
have thoughts about harming yourself or ending your life
get severe dizziness or pass out
get painful erections that last longer than 2 hours - this may happen even when you're not having sex
get any heavy bleeding or bleeding that you cannot stop, such as cuts or nosebleeds that do not stop within 10 minutes

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to sertraline.

Long-term side effects

A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive. In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor if you are worried.

If you have diabetes, sertraline can affect your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may monitor you to check that you're on the right dose of diabetes medicine.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of sertraline. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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