🏥 USMLE Exam Prep

A 32-year-old woman is diagnosed with major depressive disorder and is started on sertraline. Which of the following pieces of information is most important to counsel her about regarding the medication?

A She will likely experience significant weight gain.
B Sexual side effects are very rare with this class of medication.
C It may take several weeks for the antidepressant effects to become apparent.
D She should stop the medication immediately if she feels worse after a few days.

✓ Correct Answer: Option C

Patients should be informed that SSRIs typically take 2-4 weeks (or more) to show significant antidepressant effects, which helps manage expectations and improves adherence. Acute side effects may occur before therapeutic effects are felt.

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