What sort of side-effects might occur if I am taking sertindole?
The table below will show you some of the main side effects you might get from sertindole.
|
Side effect |
What happens |
What to do about it |
|
COMMON |
||
|
Rhinitis |
Your nose feels blocked up and may be runny. |
You can use decongestant nose drops (but not for more than one week). You can buy them from your pharmacist. |
|
Reduced ejaculatory volume |
When you climax, the amount of semen produced is less than normal. |
This does not affect your chance of having children. It does not affect other aspects of sexual function. If you are worried, discuss it with your doctor. |
|
Hypotension |
Low blood pressure - this can make you feel dizzy, especially when you stand up. |
Try not to stand up too quickly. |
|
UNCOMMON |
||
|
Dry mouth |
Not much saliva or spit. |
Suck boiled sweets or wine gums (but be careful if you are putting on weight). If it is still bad, your doctor may be able to give you a mouth spray. |
|
Peripheral oedema |
When your ankles swell up. |
Discuss with your doctor. |
|
RARE |
||
|
Weight gain |
Eating more and putting on weight. |
A diet full of vegetables and fibre will usually help prevent weight gain. See also a separate question in this section. |
|
Dyspnoea |
When you find it difficult to breathe. |
Discuss with your doctor. |
|
Paraesthesia |
Feels like "pins and needles". |
Discuss with your doctor. |
|
Movement disorders |
Having shaky hands and feeling shaky. Your neck may twist back. Your eyes and tongue may move on their own. You may feel very restless. |
It is not usually dangerous and is a well known side effect. If it is distressing or worries you, tell your doctor. He or she may be able to give you something for it e.g. an anticholinergic drug. Although it sometimes looks a little like Parkinson’s Disease, it is not the same thing. |
|
Prolonged QT interval |
This is an affect on your heart, which you won't be able to feel. |
Your doctor will do a test on your heart called an ECG when you start treatment. This will be repeated later and is a "safety check". |
Do not be worried by this list of side effects. Some people get no side effects at all and others may get some effects that are not listed in this table. Side effects tend to be worse with higher doses. Starting with a lower dose sometimes helps. If you think you might have a side effect to your medicine, you should discuss this with your doctor, nurse of pharmacist. You should also see the manufacturer's information leaflet.
Updated 12.11