Anyone switched from Citalopram to Sertraline?

Posted , 6 users are following.

I'm two weeks into Citalopram (20mg) and wondering if I'm on the right meds.

I know 2 weeks is nothing and it's yet to kick, but my biggest issue is anxiety and going back into the work environment after some time self-employed. I'm OK socially, but performing in a formal business environment again has me waking up at 4am with terrible anxiety and stomach churn (and sometimes during the day).

I can deal with the depression moreso (exercise, walking etc.) but my max. level anxiety turns me into a helpless child and I'm 40 years old.

I've heard sertraline is good for social anxiety but maybe I should stick with Citalopram for now. Any thoughts welcome.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Sertraline has worked for me, I'm only on 25mg, because dealing with the side effects knocked me for 6, and it took me about 9 weeks for them to settle down. 

    Im still getting some now and again, some new like my hair falling out which is my pride and joy. Which I have read it will come back once stopping the medication.

    I'm on them for health anxiety mainly which was causing depression.

    All your side effects will settle down once in your system, but if you up your dose do it a little at a time, big jump will cause side effects again.

    some are lucky and have little side effects but think I must have got theirs lol.

    sorry I'm just telling you what I'm like on sertraline.

    any question please ask 

     

  • Posted

    Hi David,

    I was on sertraline back in 2013 and I felt awful but I did eventually get to my therapeutic dose of 150mg and all was well.

    I then felt it was becoming less affective so I switched to Citalopram...I just didn't get on with it at all. I know it works well for others (my moms been on it for years). So I decided to go back on Sertraline again at 50mg and 50mg has worked well for 4/5 months but I've had some things happen in my life and thought I needed an updose. I am suffering horribly right now, increased anxiety (I'm on propranolol and diazepam to calm the anxiety), intrusive thoughts, shaking, restlessness, night sweats...you name it I've got it! But I am going to stick with it as in the end it will be worth it.

    I guess what I am trying to say is for me Sertraline was better (even though the side effects are hell at the moment) but you haven't really given the citalopram alot of time. It may work well for you in a couple of weeks. It's up to you, hang in there no matter what you decide.

  • Posted

    Hey, I was on steady dose of citalopram for nine years until i had a mental break in 2015 and my depression and anixety got alot worse. They upped my does to the max but this did not change a thing (Doctors suggested a slight immunity to them as id been on them for many years which is why i was not getting the full benifit from them) after 6 months of trying to cope i was still in a very bad way so i changed over to sertraline starting off on 50mg and now a year after starting im on 200mg and still in a very bad place...

    My opinion is that sertraline hasnt worked at all for me iv been on 200mg for the past 2 weeks and still no change and my doctor has told me this is the max dose. 

  • Posted

    Hi David,

    im 42, have used citilopram before and found that it is good for mild to moderate anxiety. I went from 20mg to a max of 40mg over the course of a year. It took 6-8 weeks to kick in but once it did it really reduced my anxiety to pretty much non existent levels. I combined it with excercise and cbt which also helped.  Unfortunately I came off it and regretted it as within a year my anxiety was through the roof with crying spells and panic attacks which I'd never experienced before. 

    I'm now on 100mg sertraline (8th week) and apart from a very recent downturn (poss due to inactivity - not keeping myself busy-old negative thoughts creeping back) I found that this med is really good for me. 

    I would say say hang in there and persevere. Unfortunately there is no quick fix for anxiety, it's a waiting game but the good times will 100% come! just be patient. I find that 2mg of diazepam helps take the edge off when I'm really feeling anxious, mAybe you could ask your doc to prescribe you some to take as and when needed. From experience they are usually reluctant and will only prescribe 10 or so tablets but they are really good. 2mg is a low dose and this is my first ever use of them

    hang in there and good luck

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