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SSRI initiation counselling — GPhC CRA MCQ

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EasyCNS TherapeuticsSSRI initiation counsellingGPhC CRA

A 24-year-old patient presents a new prescription for sertraline 50 mg once daily for depression. He asks when he should expect to feel better and whether he can stop it if he feels worse during the first week. What would you advise the patient?

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Correct answer: A — Explain that benefit may take several weeks and advise urgent help if suicidal thoughts worsen

Sertraline should be taken regularly and patients should be counselled that antidepressant response is not immediate. Early anxiety, gastrointestinal effects or sleep disturbance can occur, but worsening suicidal thoughts requires prompt clinical review. St John's wort can interact with antidepressants and should not be recommended as an add-on. Dose escalation should follow prescriber review rather than patient-directed adjustment.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS