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What Causes Diarrhea While Taking Sertraline?
Question: Hi, Iv'e been on sertraline 200mg for 2 months.just lately from about a 3 weeks ago Iv'e had quite bad diarrhae is this something to do with the drug or something else?
Brief Answer:
looks like infection-get tests+ antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You have been on sertraline for significantly long time (2months) without this side effect and only developed it recently.
I can say from my clinical experince that -
sertraline- is an SSRI and has an inherent tendency to give constipation and not diarrhoea under usual circumstances. The diarrhoea is most probably linked to gastroentreritis (infection).
To clarify or solve the problem- you can do one thing-
1. get blood test- Hb%, TLC, DLC, ESR, Platelet counts, Stool test. These will help in detecting the presene of infection.
2. Take a course of antibiotic for 5-10days along with probiotics and antacid.
Take light diet- porridge/curd/rice etc., for some days and avoid oily stuff. If you have an infection, it is most likely to get treated and you will get better fine.
If not, then it will be best to request your treating doctor to change the molecule.
I hope the reply is useful for you.
Please feel to free to ask more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
looks like infection-get tests+ antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You have been on sertraline for significantly long time (2months) without this side effect and only developed it recently.
I can say from my clinical experince that -
sertraline- is an SSRI and has an inherent tendency to give constipation and not diarrhoea under usual circumstances. The diarrhoea is most probably linked to gastroentreritis (infection).
To clarify or solve the problem- you can do one thing-
1. get blood test- Hb%, TLC, DLC, ESR, Platelet counts, Stool test. These will help in detecting the presene of infection.
2. Take a course of antibiotic for 5-10days along with probiotics and antacid.
Take light diet- porridge/curd/rice etc., for some days and avoid oily stuff. If you have an infection, it is most likely to get treated and you will get better fine.
If not, then it will be best to request your treating doctor to change the molecule.
I hope the reply is useful for you.
Please feel to free to ask more questions for clarification.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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