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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can I Continue With Lustral For Anxiety While Suffering From Stomach Cramps And Diarrhea?

I am a coeliac (Female 55 years ) and was prescribed lustral a few months ago for anxiety. However I've since suffered from stomach cramps and diarrhea afew times a week initially and for the past week I have had a few episodes every morning. Is lustral the cause of the probelm. I'm good for staying on gluten free diet and I eat well.
Thu, 24 Jul 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hi, thanks for the query. Short answer Yes; Lustral (sertraline) is the cause of your abdominal cramps & diarrhoea. Srtraline is a SSRI type of drug which is commenly used for treatment of depression & anxiety. As such it is very safe but it does cause abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhoea in a few patients. If you are having some relief in anxiety symptoms with Lustral; then you can either wait for 2 weeks for your body to adapt to lustral so that these symptoms will subside (side effects usually within first few weeks of starting medications).Otherwise you can be switched to other SSRI like Escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine etc. which are relatively free of abdominal side effects. Consult your doctor for change of drugs. Good Luck
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Can I Continue With Lustral For Anxiety While Suffering From Stomach Cramps And Diarrhea?

Hi, thanks for the query. Short answer Yes; Lustral (sertraline) is the cause of your abdominal cramps & diarrhoea. Srtraline is a SSRI type of drug which is commenly used for treatment of depression & anxiety. As such it is very safe but it does cause abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhoea in a few patients. If you are having some relief in anxiety symptoms with Lustral; then you can either wait for 2 weeks for your body to adapt to lustral so that these symptoms will subside (side effects usually within first few weeks of starting medications).Otherwise you can be switched to other SSRI like Escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine etc. which are relatively free of abdominal side effects. Consult your doctor for change of drugs. Good Luck