Accidentally Overdosing on Sertraline: My Experience
I’m a 19-year-old female from Brazil, standing at 145 cm and weighing 59 kg. I identify as Caucasian and have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and autism. Additionally, I refrain from smoking or consuming alcohol and maintain a routine that includes 50 mg of quetiapine and 50 mg of sertraline daily. Recently, I encountered an alarming situation regarding my medication. My aunt, who usually helps me with my prescriptions, mistakenly purchased 100 mg sertraline instead of my regular 50 mg. In the chaos of my busy schedule over the last couple of days, I failed to notice this change and took the pills consistently in the mornings without a second thought. Upon attending my latest appointment with my psychiatrist, she decided to increase my sertraline dosage back to 100 mg, but recommended a gradual approach—taking 75 mg for a few days to minimize potential side effects. This meant I would need to consume two and a half pills. It wasn’t until I was preparing to measure out the correct dosage that I glanced at the medication packaging and discovered it was actually 100 mg. This realization hit me hard: I had inadvertently been on a higher dosage for two days without even realizing it. Now, I’m worried, as I have a tendency to overthink health concerns due to my hypochondria. Should I be anxious about this situation? Is there any cause for serious alarm?
Answers (1)
7/11/2025, 11:30:53 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel anxious after an incident like this, but there are important points to consider about your situation concerning the sertraline dosage.
Key Points to Consider:
- Sertraline Dosage: Taking 100 mg instead of 50 mg, especially if done for a couple of days, can cause increased side effects, but it's not typically life-threatening.
- Monitoring Symptoms: It's crucial to keep an eye on how you feel during this time, especially regarding any side effects.
- Consultation with Your Psychiatrist: Since your psychiatrist is already aware of your medication and the recent changes, that’s a positive avenue to ensure safety.
Explanation:
Sertraline, like all medications, has a range of side effects. When taking a higher dose than prescribed, you may experience some unwanted effects such as increased anxiety, restlessness, gastrointestinal symptoms, or sleep disturbances. However, your body is often quite resilient, and for a short period of time, this higher dosage might not lead to severe reactions.
The gradual increase to 100 mg, as suggested by your psychiatrist, is a standard procedure to help minimize side effects. The key here is to communicate openly with your psychiatrist about your recent experience. Since you’ve inadvertently taken the higher dosage for only two days, while concerning, it likely won't lead to serious long-term effects, but monitoring your symptoms is important.
Next Steps:
- Monitor for Symptoms: Pay attention to how you’re feeling in the coming days. Common side effects to watch out for include nausea, dizziness, insomnia, or heightened anxiety.
- Document Changes: Consider keeping a brief symptom diary over the next week, noting any changes in mood, sleep patterns, or any physical symptoms you experience.
- Communicate with Your Psychiatrist: Reach out to your psychiatrist about your experience as soon as you can, sharing your concerns and any symptoms you're noticing. They may advise you to adjust your dosage or offer reassurances.
- Stay Calm: Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness exercises, can help reduce anxiety while you manage this situation.
It's perfectly normal to feel anxious, especially given your history with health concerns. Focus on your next steps and lean on your support system. You're taking the right path by being proactive about your health.
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