I have digestive problems since the dose of my antidepressant was changed?

Question

I started taking Sertraline about 2 months ago. I am now at 175mg since December 12 (taken in the evening). It goes well, but the digestive side is average since the increase. I often have stomach pain, especially in the morning. It's big cramps sometimes relieved after going to the toilet max 2 times a day (never liquid, just soft and in mini quantity), sometimes I don't go at all for 2 days, so constipated. No nausea, vomiting, fever, blood in the stool, etc. I've been taking Florastor probiotics + vitamin C every day for 2-3 months + lolo pill. So I don't really know what to do, it's been almost 3 weeks.

Naji-tom Samaha · Accepted Answer

Good morning, Mrs, It seems that the onset of your nausea corresponds to the time of the increase in the dose of sertraline. This is a possible side effect of this medication. Often, this tends to diminish over time, after 1 to 2 weeks. With that written, you have several options. I suggest that you contact your pharmacist who can do a short consultation with you to assess the possibility of adjusting the dose, if only temporarily. Otherwise, I think you should try to find possible causes for this. I would suggest keeping a diary of what you are taking and how much you are taking and how you are feeling and then comparing that to the occurrence and extent of your symptoms. This may take several weeks so I suggest you be diligent. I hope I have been helpful to you and I am available if you have any further questions! Sincerely, Tom Samaha, pharmacist