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Can I Take Citalopram and Sertraline At The Same Time Of Day?

Posted , 4 users are following.

1pPinchersPurse
1pPinchersPurse

Hi,

I've been on Citalopram 40 mg for about a year now.  And, have just been prescribed Sertraline 50 mg to try, (Mirtzapine caused me too many problems with excessive sedative effect).  However, I am not sure if I can take the Sertraline at the same time of day/morning that I take my Citalopram (and Levothyroxine); or, whether I should plan to take the Sertraline (separately) in the evening? (I forgot to ask my GP/Pharmacist).

My GP's plan is to lower my dose of Citalopram, once I've found an additional antidepressant that works for me.  So, for now, I will continue to take Citalopram 40 mg.

Does anyone else take these prescriptions at the same time of day each day? Or, do you find it best to take them at different times?

Thank you!

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • sparrow-
    sparrow- 1pPinchersPurse

    Posted

    hi 1PP,

    it's kind of tricky giving advice because different people tend to have different experiences regarding all the meds out there and how much to take, when to take them, do they make you sleepy or energized, and so on.

    speaking for myself though, i personally found that when i switch antidepressants which are in the same class (eg. you have the ssri meds like citalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine, etc, which are all the same 'family' of med), i just switch from the current one i am taking, to taking the new med instead, at the same time of the day i would have taken the previous med.  i think most would say that taking 2 of the meds at the same time is generally not a good idea.

    doing the switchover the way i mentioned above, i found that in the worst case i might feel a bit 'funny' for a few days during the switchover, but personally i have never experienced any intense side effects doing it that way,  but as i said before, everyone is different, so i'm just really talking about my experiences, which may not be the same as other peoples.  for the record though, my doctor agrees with the switchover method i mentioned, as long as the switching of meds are of the same family (which in your case, they are) and also, not too much of a relative dose difference between the two meds (which in your case, the sertraline dose is ok, but the citalopram dose you are on is a little higher than normal, so perhaps eventually if you want your sertraline dose to be equivalent (in relative terms) to the citalopram dose you are taking, you might be better off with around 100mg of sertraline..  but again, this is just opinion and you might find that 50mg of sertraline is fine for you and enough).

    hopefully ive not been too confusing and unhelpful,  but i think to summarise overall, no it's not a good idea to take both at once and i'm not sure most doctors would recommend that?   but im no expert, and as mentioned everyone's experiences seem to be different regarding meds and dosages (as well as the time needed to settle in on the meds etc)..   anyway whatever happens, here's certainly hoping that your transistion is a smooth one and if you do get some discomfort between switching, that it doesn't last long.

    i've been taking sertraline for a long time and find it to be an excellent antridepressant, and in reviews and comparisons between ssri meds, sertraline is usually at or around the top of the list as one of the better meds (generally speaking of course...  because there are always going to be some people who dont get on with it as well as others so.  it's a case of keeping going, and then it's only a matter of time before you settle on the right med for you).

    ?good luck

    • sparrow-
      sparrow-

      Posted

      oh and to answer your other question about when to take your med, it's honestly up to you, there is no set rule.  it's really just the simple choice of:   if the med makes you feel energized and awake, then take it in the morning (or whenever you wake up).  and if the med makes you sleepy or tired, take it at night (whenever suits you, eg. the evening, or right before bed if u like).  and finally, if the med doesnt make you feel either energized or sleepy, then just take it at anytime of the morning, day or night you wish,  but perhaps (certainly during the first few months), do try to take it around the same time each day, so you have more consistent levels in your bloodstream from day to day   (this isn't so important after a few months of being on an ssri med, at which point it has 'built up' in your system (and your body has adjusted to it) ... and eg. any start-up side effects have gone (or at least have eased down to less-bothersome levels)

    • 1pPinchersPurse
      1pPinchersPurse sparrow-

      Posted

      Thank you SOOOOO much for taking the time to reply...and so thoroughly and thoughtfully! I really appreciate your insight and input!

      I feel like a bit of a twit for forgetting to ask my GP/pharmacy for further clarification on taking this new med.  I was upset and distracted about other things at the time.

      The only thing the pharmacy asked about when I picked up the prescription was to make sure that I stop taking the mirtazapine before taking the sertraline.  I had only taken the mirtazapine a few times and had to stop, so there's not enough in my system to worry about those two clashing. Phew!

      I was a bit confused without clearer instructions, so I took my Citalopram as normal today; but, hesitated to take my first dose of Sertraline, also.  Just as well I did, I think!

      The Mirtazapine was awful for me - it was prescribed to help me with my awful, out-of-control "vampire-like" sleeping pattern.  However, well within 20 minutes of taking that one, I basically crashed out face first into my laptop! Somewhere, somehow, I must've put myself to bed...But, I don't remember, and I slept for a straight 18+ hours, at least! Then, when I was able to get up, I kept falling asleep, and was feeling really dizzy, disorientated, confused, and brain-fogged ...Anyone who didn't know me, likely would've thought I was drunk!

      After reading your reply, I've resolved to not take the Citalopram in the morning, but take my first dose of Sertraline shortly before bedtime tomorrow - antidepressants tend to make me feel (more) tired...I'll see how that goes. <:0P

      Thanks, again! You're a star! :0)

       

    • sparrow-
      sparrow- 1pPinchersPurse

      Posted

      hey no problem, i hope it works out well for you, i do tend to ramble on a bit sometimes and realise my posts are often really long, but luckily u didnt seem bothered about that smile

      i also took mirtazapine in the past, and found that it doesnt seem to be in the same class or 'family' of the other antidepressants and seems to work in a different way.  i didn't quite have the reaction you did, but what i did get was really increased restless legs syndrome (which i have had on and off for years).. so i stopped taking mirtazapine, fast.  it's hit and miss isn't it.. something works really well for one person, and then the next person takes the same thing and it's a disaster.  luckily eventually we all find something which suits us, as long as we keep trying and keep going.

      anyway, feel free perhaps to update us here on how u get on, if u like  smile

      best of luck

    • 1pPinchersPurse
      1pPinchersPurse sparrow-

      Posted

      Hiya,

      Well, it's been a few weeks since I started Sertraline at 50 MG...I seem to be doing okay, so far.  Have a follow-up appointment with my GP this coming Friday.

      I did get confirmation from my GP surgery to stop taking the Citalopram, and move straight into Sertraline - so glad I asked!

      Unlike with Citalopram, I've been taking Sertraline at bedtime to see if that helps with my topsy-turvy sleep cycle, etc.  Still struggling there, though.  Still feel tired all the time.  Have had a few other mild side affects, including severe headaches.  No major stomach issues, though, as so many have reported...Most of those seem to have subsided now.

      I'm still trying to assess my mood levels so far...which has been challenging because I normally find the Christmas & New Year holidays to be quite stressful ,for a variety of reasons, anyway.  Added to the mix, worrying about a close family member's failing health...<:0(

      I'm not sure if I'll be kept on the same dose, or whether it will be bumped up.  We shall see...

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