More than 24.4 million sertraline prescriptions were dispensed in England in 2024, making it the most commonly used antidepressant – but patients should be aware of a rare but serious side effect

Millions of people are prescribed sertraline every year. Latest figures show that in 2024 there were more than 24.4 million items of the drug dispensed in England, making it the most common antidepressant used to treat patients.

The medication is used to treat depression and other mental health conditions and is only available with a prescription. Beyond depression, it can also be prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety disorder.

It is believed to work by boosting the level of serotonin (a brain chemical that regulates mood). When serotonin levels are balanced, you feel calmer and happier.

And while like most medicines it can have some side effects, the majority of these are mild. According to the NHS, not everyone will experience them.

However, it adds that if you do, they should clear quickly, saying: “Most side effects should ease after a couple of weeks as your body gets used to the medicine, but some can last longer.”

And there are some which are serious that warrant urgent medical help, reports the Mirror. One of these is a rare but potentially severe condition called serotonin syndrome.

This has five symptoms and if you spot them you should dial 111. These include a fast heartbeat, sweating, shaking, twitching muscles, and feeling confused or agitated.

Common side effects

There are several common side effects and they also come with a warning: “If you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking sertraline, do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until you no longer have these symptoms.”

Other common side effects include:

• headaches
• feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting)
• dizziness or drowsiness
• dry mouth
• diarrhoea
• problems sleeping
• sexual problems, such as low sex drive (loss of libido)
• putting on weight

Serious side effects

The NHS explains: “Sertraline can sometimes cause more serious side effects, although most of them are rare.”

Possible serious side effects of sertraline include:

• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash and difficulty breathing
• serotonin syndrome – a rare but serious condition that causes a fast heartbeat, sweating, shaking, twitching muscles and feeling confused or agitated
• feeling very low and having suicidal thoughts

It advises you should call NHS 111 if:

• you’re taking sertraline and think you might be having serious side effects
• you’re having thoughts about harming yourself

What is serotonin syndrome

According to the Mayo Clinic, serotonin syndrome is a serious drug reaction which is caused by medications that build up high levels of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a chemical that the body produces naturally, which it needs for the nerve cells and brain to function.

But too much serotonin causes signs and symptoms that can range from mild (shivering and diarrhoea) to severe (muscle rigidity, fever and seizures). Severe serotonin syndrome can cause death if not treated.

Serotonin syndrome can occur when you increase the dose of certain medications or start taking a new drug. It’s most often caused by combining medications that contain serotonin, such as a migraine medication and an antidepressant.

Some illicit drugs and dietary supplements are associated with serotonin syndrome. Milder forms of serotonin syndrome may go away within a day or two of stopping the medications that cause symptoms and, sometimes, after taking drugs that block serotonin.

Other potential issues

“There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with sertraline,” cautions the NHS.

This includes certain types of:

• anticoagulants, such as warfarin and apixaban
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen
• antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as moclobemide and selegiline

The NHS further advises: “You should also not use the herbal supplement St John’s wort when taking sertraline. Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking sertraline. It’s also best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking sertraline because it can stop the medicine working properly.”

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the Winter Olympics, as Britain’s mixed curling team Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds bid for bronze – and Team GB’s first medal of the Games. 

After dominating the curling round-robin competition for five long days, Team GB faltered when it mattered most just as the Winter Olympics moved into the decisive knockout action.

A catastrophic sixth end finished with Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds losing all five shots and going from drawing 3-3 into an impossible 8-3 deficit against their Swedish opponents. They had made three errors in successive ends before falling to a meek 9-3 defeat.

With that, their chances of the gold they had looked well capable of winning have gone and they must now make do with a bronze-medal match on Tuesday against hosts Italy, who themselves won gold in Beijing four years ago.

Dodds, a previous world champion and part of the women’s team who won gold in Beijing, accepted that they were ultimately beaten by the better team. “We are just both disappointed we didn’t play like we had played all week,” she said. “In an Olympic semi-final, you can’t do that and the Swedes capitalised on our mistakes. We got punished for it. They played great; they capitalised on all of our mistakes.”

They face hosts Italy in this afternoon’s bronze medal match.

The former England international has defended her stance on male pundits in women’s football after Laura Woods criticised her comments as “dragging women’s punditry backwards”

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Eni Aluko has levelled accusations of gaslighting at Laura Woods, following the ITV and TNT Sports presenter’s suggestion that her recent comments are “dragging women’s punditry backwards”.

The ex-England player found herself back in the spotlight this weekend after she reiterated her belief that women’s football needs to be “gatekept”, arguing that male pundits, including former Arsenal forward Ian Wright, are restricting opportunities for women in the sport.

Aluko, who scored 33 goals in 105 appearances for England, initially sparked controversy last April when she criticised Wright, suggesting he should reflect on “how much he’s doing in the women’s game”. She implied that Wright’s involvement was making it difficult for female pundits trying to carve out a niche in the industry.

She later apologised, but Wright refused to accept her apology, expressing his “disappointment” at her remarks.

After Aluko restated her stance on male pundits, Woods took to Twitter on Monday morning to criticise her ITV colleague through several posts. Woods cautioned that Aluko’s statements could “not only drag women’s sport backwards, it will drag women’s punditry in all forms of the game backwards”, reports the Irish Mirror.

Aluko responded to Woods’ recent comments, admitting she felt “gaslit”. Speaking on Tuesday morning’s talkSPORT broadcast, Aluko said: “I respect Laura’s opinion and always have done. I think it’s helpful for her to outline the attributes that go into what you consider a brilliant pundit.

“[Number of] Caps is obviously part of that, as I explained. Caps isn’t the decider but it’s an objective way to say that a person has enough experience to talk about this specific game.”

She continued: “It’s interesting because Laura was one of the people I would consistently go to. We got on like a house on fire and I would go and ask her how she thought things went.

“Laura, consistently… and I had to look at the messages yesterday and thought ‘hold on, I feel a bit gaslit here’… Laura consistently said to me ‘I think you’re a brilliant broadcaster and pundit’.

“So I think there’s a little bit of serving her argument at this point. Which I respect, she doesn’t agree and that’s fine. But I think there’s an insinuation in there that you don’t meet the standard. I’ve worked too hard for people just to conclude that because you’re not seeing me on screen, you’re not good enough. That’s not true.”

When talkSPORT host Jim White pointed out the “gaslit” comment, Aluko quickly clarified her stance, replying: “Not gaslit, I don’t want to say that because she has a view and I appreciate her view.

“She mentioned about little boys being important for the women’s game now and I agree.

“When I see little boys coming to women’s games now, they have the women on the back of their shirts, they don’t have the names of male pundits.”

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It is tempting to treat the fallout between Brooklyn Beckham and his A-list parents as mere celebrity gossip. But this story has struck a chord with many families because it disrupts a comforting assumption: that strong bonds, shared history and success protect families from fracture.

The breakdown of even highly visible, seemingly close families raises an uncomfortable question. Why do family relationships, often our longest lasting and most emotionally charged connections, sometimes become so strained that contact is reduced or cut off entirely?

Answering that requires a look at the relational dynamics that shape many families. Family rupture is not an anomaly confined to extreme circumstances or public families under scrutiny. It is part of everyday life for many people.

Large population surveys suggest that around one in four adults are estranged from at least one family member at any given point in time. This may involve a parent, sibling, child or other close relative.

When research focuses specifically on parent–child relationships, roughly one in ten adults report estrangement from a parent or child, with some differences between mothers and fathers. Across studies, estrangement from parents tends to begin in early adulthood, often during the early to mid-20s.

Conflict with family members can often feel more painful and enduring than other relationship breakdowns. The reason why has to do with identity and belonging. From early childhood, family relationships shape how we understand ourselves. In Brooklyn Beckham’s case, his public statements hint at this tension.

Growing up in a highly visible family meant that, for him, roles, expectations and identities were formed under constant public scrutiny. As adulthood brings new partnerships and a desire for autonomy, those early roles can become harder to inhabit, particularly when private family dynamics are played out in public.

Roles, expectations and emotional patterns become deeply embedded over time. When conflict emerges, it rarely challenges behaviour alone. It threatens how we see ourselves in relation to people who have known us longest.

When conflict becomes estrangement

Conflict escalation often follows predictable psychological patterns. Minor disagreements take on symbolic meaning. Old grievances resurface. People move from addressing an issue to defending their identity, values or sense of worth. Once this shift occurs, emotional responses intensify, positions harden and resolution becomes much harder to achieve.

Estrangement, then, is rarely about a single argument. It reflects accumulated disconnection, unmet expectations and unresolved emotional histories that have built up over years.

Research in psychology and family studies consistently highlights a few recurring and interacting dynamics. Over time, people can find themselves locked into family roles that no longer fit, particularly if they feel persistently misunderstood or undervalued. What once felt like shared history can begin to feel restrictive rather than supportive.

At the same time, criticism or dismissal within families is often experienced as an attack on core self-beliefs, not simply a disagreement. When repeated attempts to explain or resolve these tensions fail, many people turn to avoidance or emotional distance as a form of self-protection. Silence, while painful, can feel safer than continued conflict.

None of these dynamics are unique to celebrity families. Seeing them play out publicly simply makes visible what many families manage quietly behind closed doors.

How to cope

Popular advice about family conflict tends to emphasise openness and communication. While well-intentioned, suggestions to “just talk it out” often fail because they ignore emotional safety, timing and boundaries. Conversations entered without shared readiness or clear intent can easily reopen old wounds.

Psychological research points to more realistic approaches.

1. Separate repair from reconciliation

Repair may involve greater understanding or boundary setting rather than restoring closeness. Reconciliation is not always possible or healthy.

2. Manage expectations

Accepting that some conflicts reflect fundamental value differences rather than misunderstandings can reduce guilt and self-blame.

3. Protect wellbeing

Prolonged family conflict is associated with stress, anxiety and poorer mental health. Seeking external support is not a sign of disloyalty but of self-care.

Estrangement is also rarely static. Many relationships fluctuate over time. Some reconnect after years or decades, while others remain distant but emotionally resolved.

Family rifts feel particularly unsettling because they collide with powerful cultural myths. In many western cultures, family life is still framed through powerful ideals of unconditional love, permanence and harmony. These narratives are reinforced through media, popular psychology and social expectations, leaving little room to acknowledge conflict, distance or estrangement as ordinary parts of relational life. When reality fails to match that ideal, people often carry shame alongside grief.

Recognising how common family estrangement is, and understanding the psychological dynamics behind it, helps shift the conversation away from blame. It allows space for compassion, boundaries and healthier coping.

The Beckhams’ situation serves as a reminder of something deeply ordinary. Families are complex systems shaped by history, identity and meaning. Sometimes that complexity holds. Sometimes it fractures. And when it does, the experience is painful, but far from unique.

“At this very early stage, we are keeping an open mind as to any motivation behind this attack. However, due to the surrounding circumstances, the investigation is now being led by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing London, who are working closely with our local officers in response to this incident.”

​A full meeting of Filey Town Council will be held on Wednesday, February 11, with members of the public invited to attend and ask questions.

​Councillors are set to receive updates from North Yorkshire Police, the Mayor of Filey, as well as representatives from North Yorkshire Council (NYC) who will provide an overview of the Town Investment Plan’s (TIP) work, which will be starting early this year.

The TIPs “seek to address local needs and make the most of opportunities”, according to NYC.

“To make sure each investment plan reflects local priorities we are inviting residents, business owners and visitors to share their views on their local town and how they think it could be improved with targeted investment.”

​Independent councillor Sam Cross, who represents Filey on North Yorkshire Council, is also set to provide an update on his recent work and projects.

​The reintroduction of a bus service in Filey has been a topic of recent discussion at the town council.

​At a meeting in January, councillors discussed “a request in relation to a community bus service and the NYCA draft report titled ‘Filey Bus Service’.

​According to draft minutes of the previous meeting, held on January 14, members raised possible financial pledges towards the introduction of a Filey bus service.

​Cllr Sam Cross has arranged a meeting with the elected mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, to discuss the issue further.

​“Cllr Cross said that when the previous Filey Town Mayor was in situ, a sum of £10,000 was mentioned to pledge toward the introduction and operation of a Filey bus service, however, a commitment was not made by the council,” according to the minutes.

​The minutes note: “Cllr Mike Cockerill confirmed that there is currently £5,000 set aside in the reserve fund for the bus.

​“It was therefore proposed by Cllr Cockerill that Filey Town Council express support of this project in principle but with no financial commitments until the Council has received further information, and this was seconded by Cllr Wendy Fenlon.”

The Galaxy Tab S11 is the latest in Samsung’s premium tablet range. There are two of these high-priced, flagship models to choose from: the Tab S11 (£799) and Tab S11 Ultra (£1,199).

These replace the Tab S10+ and Tab S10 Ultra, but you can still buy the Galaxy Tab S10 FE (from £499) and Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ (from £649), both of which sit in the mid-range section of the tablet market.

The Galaxy Tab A11, meanwhile, is the cheapest of Samsung’s tablets, starting at just £149. There’s a Galaxy Tab A11+ model, too, which has a larger screen.

Samsung’s AI features are predominantly reserved for the pricier tablets, including the ability to erase unwanted objects from pictures or extract text from screenshots. The Tab S11 models have the highest display resolutions, as well as extra storage and increased performance speeds.

The S11 models also have two rear cameras, compared to the Tab S10 FE and Tab A11’s single lenses. Only the Tab S11 and Tab S10 FE support Samsung’s S Pen stylus for on-the-go doodling (the Galaxy Tab A11 doesn’t). They also offer features like Samsung’s DeX mode, allowing you to connect to a bigger screen and use it like a desktop computer.

The 68-year-old actress, best known for her role as Liz McDonald in Coronation Street, revealed her diagnosis earlier this month and has since returned to her home in Norfolk to begin treatment.

Callard was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer just 20 minutes before filming her first scenes for Fair City in Dublin.

In a video update shared on Instagram on Sunday (February 8), she said: “I’m feeling really positive, and I’m very strong.

“I begin hospital stuff and everything now I’m home. Everything begins this week.

“On Wednesday, they’re testing lymph nodes and lymph glands and all of that, and I will keep everyone updated.”

She also took the opportunity to thank fans and well-wishers for their support.

Callard said: “I really want to say thank you so much to everyone for your wonderful messages.

“Everybody’s been truly fantastic. I’m so appreciative of all the love that’s coming. Thank you.”

She first publicly shared her diagnosis on February 6 during an appearance on The Late Late Show.

Callard told host Patrick Kielty: “It’s difficult to know where to start.

“I knew I was coming over here for four weeks, and then I’d have a couple of weeks back in the UK, and then back here – for a long time.

“I’d had some tests just before I left the UK and literally 15 to 20 minutes before [her first scene] I was in my dressing room at Fair City, getting ready to go on, and I was quite nervous and thinking, ‘I hope everybody thinks I’m all right, whatever.’

“And my consultant rang me and said, ‘You’ve got to come back to the UK.’

“I said, ‘Well, I can’t possibly, you know, I’ve just taken a new job, I’m away for a month.’

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”

Despite the shock, she remains optimistic and grateful that the cancer was detected early.

Callard said: “I’m fine. I’m absolutely fine.

“My head was a bit mashed for the first few days.

“It’s very early stages, and I’m along with, you know, thousands of other women as well.

“I travel back to the UK tomorrow (February 7), just for a couple of weeks.

“They’re going to test lymph nodes and lymph glands and all that.”

Callard, who appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020, has said she intends to return to work as soon as she can.

She had been due to appear in the Dublin-based soap Fair City, playing Lily, the long-lost mother of Carrigstown resident Gwen, played by Emily Lamey.

Callard said: “I need an operation and some radiotherapy, and then I’m coming back to Fair City, so I will be back in just a few weeks.”

Radgie’s, a new takeaway and street food style venue, has announced its opening date for this Friday (February 13), taking to social media saying: “See you Friday RADGIES.”

The unusually named takeaway with a bright pink pop of colour is the brainchild of Darlington-based owner Ishy Miah, who learnt the trade working at his dad’s long-established venue Café Spice.

The 23-year-old owner said the new venture has been years in the making.

Radgie’s is opening this Friday. (Image: RADGIES)

He said: “I’ve been working in hospitality since I was about 13 years old. My family run restaurants, so I thought it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

“I’m a really big fan of unique, tasty food such as smash burgers, Nashville chicken and unique pizzas.

“I thought this is the kind of food I’d want in a town and what you’d find in big cities like Newcastle. So, I thought, all this would do really well in Darlington.”

The owner said the name and display was specifically chosen to “stand out from the rest”.

He added: “With the whole name and the theme, I just thought, it’s quite fun and bold. It stands out, as we’re not you’re normal pizza shop.

“We’re different, so I chose a unique name and a unique theme with the bold pink to stand out from the rest. You’ll never forget it because it’s that different.”

A taste of Nashville and South Asian food will be on the menu, including smash burgers, Nashville Chicken, curry, pizzas and parmos.

The new business has taken over a long vacant store which has since undergone a full refurbishment.

Ishy said: “When we first got it, it had been empty for a while. We literally stripped it back to bare brick.

“Floors were removed, ceilings were redone, walls were reboarded, plastered, skimmed, decorated – everything is brand spanking new.

“We’ve got some really good chefs in. One of my chefs is currently working in a restaurant in Mayfair in London, so he knows his stuff.

“We’ve got a great team, we’re all experienced in hospitality and I just feel like the food we will serve is going to be absolutely unbelievable.”

Since announcing the opening, Ishy has said the response has been “mixed”.

AI design for Radgies interior (Image: RADGIES)

He said: “I’ve had a mixed response since announcing my opening.

“Some people think I’m absolutely crazy. Some people think it’s a really good idea, so I guess there’s only one way to find out, but I’m confident in the food.”

As opening day approaches, the owner said there has been some hurdles along the way.

He said: “We thought we were ready and then things came up and it’s been a bit stressful.

“There’s been a few obstacles along the way, but our main focus is getting everything ready for opening now.

“We’re sticking with that opening date and hopefully we can get everything done. We’re almost there now. “

The 23-year-old who is currently working as a quantity surveyor while studying for a masters, said 2026 was the right time to start his new venture.

He said: “When 2026 came, I thought, you know what, I’m just going to do it.

“There is always going to be an excuse, such as I’m doing a master’s or I have work, but this is what I have wanted to do, and I thought this was the time to do it.

“It’s so exciting to bring something fresh and new to my hometown. I love Darlington and I can’t wait for everyone to try it.”

You can find the new takeaway venue on 89 Victoria Road, Darlington.

The BBC has visited Iran for the first time since the crackdown by security forces on nationwide anti-government protests last month.

Iran’s leaders are marking 47 years since the Islamic Revolution, with bunting and flags decorating the streets of Tehran – but the pain is still raw after unprecedented force was used to put down the protests.

Human rights activists have said they have confirmed the killing of at least 6,400 protesters, but warned that the final death toll could be far higher.

The BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet is reporting from Tehran on condition that none of her material is used on the BBC’s Persian Service. These restrictions apply to all international media organisations operating in Iran.