Hormonal Sertraline

SSRIs are theorized to reduce the frequency of hot flashes by increasing serotonin in the central nervous system and by decreasing LH. Of the SSRIs, citalopram, paroxetine, and sertraline all have been studied and have demonstrated a reduction in hot flashes while treating other symptomatic complaints such as depression and anxiety.33 Venlafaxine, which blocks the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, has demonstrated a reduction in hot flashes primarily in the oncology population.34 Overall, these antidepressant medications offer a reasonable option for women who are unwilling or cannot take hormonal therapies, particularly those who suffer from depression or anxiety. These agents should be prescribed at the lowest effective dose to treat symptoms and may be titrated based on individual response. 

Several drugs (for example amiodarone, androgens, glucocorticoids, phenytoin, and salicylates) interfere with the transport or metabolism of thyroid hormones and thereby alter thyroid function tests. These have been reviewed (90). In patients taking levothyroxine serum TSH rises after treatment with sertraline (91) and antimalarial prophylaxis with chloroquine and proguanil... 

FIGURE 3.2. Protocol for thr STARED project, (a) Level 1 (b) level 2 (c) level 3 (d) level 4. CIT, citalopram SER, sertraline BUP, bupropion VEN, venlafaxine CT, cognitive-behavioral therapy BUS, Buspirone MIRT, mirtazpine NTP, nortriptyline LI, lithium THY, thyroid hormone TCP, tranylcypromine. 

Hyponatraemia and seizures Hyponatraemia associated with SSRIs has been reported in the literature, particularly in the elderly and those with a low BMI [46 ]. The mechanism is generally considered to be via development of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion [47 ]. A further case of hyponatraemia occurring immediately after initiation of sertraline in an elderly patient was reported, with the development of generalised convulsions [48 ]. 

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