Raj Patel has highlighted some little-known side effects of taking the popular antidepressant
Hundreds of thousands of people across Ireland take antidepressants. (file image)(Image: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Managing mental health conditions can often feel like an uphill battle for many people across Ireland. However, a leading healthcare professional has shed light on the fact that patients collecting routine prescriptions frequently fail to grasp the physical and emotional changes that may accompany their road to recovery.
Well-known online pharmacist Raj Patel, recognised on TikTok as the ‘Straight-Talking Pharmacist’ by his more than 100,000 followers, issued the cautionary advice in one of his latest videos. He urged: “Stop being anxious about sertraline side effects, a drug used for types of depression.”
Sertraline is an antidepressant widely prescribed throughout the country to treat clinical depression and anxiety disorders, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE). Addressing the concerns that lead many patients to dread reading the information leaflet, Mr Patel reassured his viewers: “Understanding the truth can ease your mind.”
Sertraline is used to treat depression and other mental health conditions(Image: Getty)
The pharmacist acknowledged that fear of the unknown often deters people from seeking the help they need, posing the question to his followers: “Are you concerned about taking sertraline due to potential side effects? But what if you knew them and this actually brings you peace of mind?”
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) explains that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors function by improving chemical balance in the brain, although early side effects can be unsettling, reports the Irish Mirror. Offering reassurance that knowledge provides protection, Mr Patel said: “Before I share one, which will really surprise you, just remember understanding these isn’t to scare you, but to prepare and empower you.”
Highlighting the importance of informing patients, the expert observed: “Knowledge is key in managing health.” The social media pharmacist also urged people to consider the overall benefits against short-term challenges, asking: “And here’s a thought: what if the benefits to you outweigh these risks?”
Sertraline 100 mg film-coated tablets(Image: MHRA)
Disclosing the surprising reaction that “will really surprise you”, Mr Patel revealed: “The final common side effect is agitation.” Medical guidance from the HSE specifically identifies restlessness and feeling agitated amongst the documented side effects patients may encounter when starting this treatment.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) states that initial side effects generally reach their peak within the first two weeks before subsiding as the body adjusts. Mr Patel finished with a strong reminder to remain composed throughout treatment, stating: “But whatever you do, just remember, stop being anxious about sertraline side effects.”
Medical professionals at the HSE strongly urge anyone experiencing severe distress to seek advice from their local GP or pharmacist, rather than stopping medication without guidance. Mental health advocates at Aware Ireland also emphasise that support services are freely available to anyone who is finding psychiatric treatment difficult to manage.