
Being in a depressed state of mind is regarded as a chronic disorder if you stay in low spirits for a fairly longer timespan. Med belonging to a genre called selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting drugs (in short, SSRIs) and those forming part of another genre called serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (i.e., SNRIs) are widely administered to manage depression. In this light, sertraline is a commonly used SSRI; it is prescribed for the case management of depression, panic attacks and conditions such as OCD. How long does this med take to start working? It is important to have needful information prior to commencing your medication plan.
It is a common thing to remain gloomy once in a while. However, if you are persistently sad or depressed, it is not a common thing. You may be passing through a spell of depression. Mental health is as important as physical wellbeing. Mental ailments can manifest in the form of phobias, weird thoughts, anxieties as well as hallucinations. These can make a substantial impact on your appetite levels, sleeping cycles as well as productivity levels.
In a few people, mood-swings are also visible; these may make you more stressful; also, conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorders (CD) can make you more restless and nervous. It is essential to take professional medical support from a qualified mental health specialist. Your caregiving team may prescribe a few meds as part of your treatment plan. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting (SSRIs) meds are commonly administered for case management and effective treatment.
What is sertraline?
Sertraline belongs to a genre of drugs known as SSRIs; such meds are taken to treat spells of depression, being in a panic, mood / mind swings including anxieties, being stressful, etc. The main constituents of this SSRI med can regulate your sleeping patterns, enhance your appetite level and can manage depressive moods.
These actions are possible as this drug can maintain an optimal level of neuro chemicals / transmitting compounds like serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, etc. in the brain. The action of this SSRI med is more pronounced with regard to balancing your serotonin levels; you need to know that this neuro-transmitting chemical is directly linked to your moods.
How long does it take for this SSRI drug to work?
The first few doses may lead to some initial signs of relief; this can occur in less than a fortnight i.e., 2 weeks’ time. However, it may take more than a month or 45 days of regimented medication plan to attain the complete therapeutic effects. In case of users with OCD, it may require more than 2 months of sustained intake of this med to see needful relief.
You however need to remember that the efficacy of this med can vary from one individual to another; factors that can influence the time taken for sertraline to start working include your body weight, age, gender, intake of other drugs – if any, presence of liver or kidney-related conditions, intensity of depression or other mental ailments, etc.
Side effects sertraline can cause
The main chemicals used in this SSRI med works on a few neuro transmitting compounds; as a result, you may encounter a surge in your appetite level. As a result, you tend to add more kilos to your waist line. Users may hence witness a sudden rise in their body weight. People who are already obese may need to be more careful with intake of this drug. In a few people, consumption of antidepressant meds belonging to SSRI genre – like sertraline – may lead to a high level of tiredness, weakness, drowsiness and fatigue.
Last but not last, this is not an over the counter offering. Hence, sertraline is administered under the guidance and supervision of a qualified mental health practitioner. If you need more clarifications, it is essential to take needful inputs from your caregiving team and / or a pharmacist.