*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.

Taking Sertraline With Other Medicines And Herbal Supplements

NHS medicines information on possible interactions with sertraline and other medicines, herbal remedies and supplements.

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect the way sertraline works and increase the chances of you having side effects.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines before starting sertraline:

any medicines that affect your heartbeat - sertraline can make your heart beat faster or cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
any other medicines for depression that you are taking now or have taken in the past - some antidepressants can affect sertraline to cause very high blood pressure even after you've stopped taking them

Mixing sertraline with herbal remedies and supplements

Do not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you're being treated with sertraline as this will increase your risk of side effects.

There's very little information about taking other herbal remedies and supplements with sertraline. It's not possible to say whether they are safe to take together. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.

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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