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changeover

Posted , 4 users are following.

e97070lle
e97070lle

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of coming off one drug and starting sertraline.

I have done one week at 20mg of my current meds (citalopram) and going to start a week at 10mg. After the week of 10mg has come to an end, I am going to start sertraline, but wondered if it was ok to start it straight after the week of taking 10mg had ended or leave it a couple of days to ensure the citalopram is definitely out of my system.

I dont want to bother the doctors by getting an appointment just to ask this question... so wondered if anyone had any experience or tips/advice?

Thank you.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • keltezza
    keltezza e97070lle

    Posted

    Hi Jane,

    I too was on citalipram and moved to Sertraline, I was told by my doctor to reduce citalipram to half tablet for one week, then half Sertraline and citalipram for one week. 

    And then whole tablet. Now after 1 month, I have reduced to half a tablet.

    Hope that helps! X

    • e97070lle
      e97070lle keltezza

      Posted

      Thanks for that - how did you find the changeover? How are you finding sertraline?
    • keltezza
      keltezza e97070lle

      Posted

      Hey, Sertraline is fine ( I think) for me anyway.smile with citalipram I had a long list of side effects that were HORRIBLE. 

      I'm very lucky to say that I don't have any side effects on Sertraline. 

      Though, it is different for everyone. 

  • oliver87290
    oliver87290 e97070lle

    Posted

    Hi Jane, this is from the MIMS reference book "Reduce dose gradually over 1–4 weeks" - personally, I think the side-effects of reducing can take a little longer to taper off completely, but if you are starting on something else it should counter that. You could do a lot worse than talk to a pharmacist at Boots (or any other dispensing chemist, for that matter) they are probably more clued-up than the GP! Good luck. Olly
    • e97070lle
      e97070lle oliver87290

      Posted

      Thanks. I was thinking I may ask them. Have you had a similar experience of changing anti depressants?

      Jane.

    • oliver87290
      oliver87290 e97070lle

      Posted

      I am taking Sertraline at the moment. It has been about 2 years. about 12 years ago I started off with Seroxat, then went through about 4 or 5 other types of tablets over a period of 4 years. I don't have any strong recollection of swapping being difficult.

      Stopping entirely was a little bit more challenging, but even that was more like having a lingering cold than anything worse. Most people seem to have very vivd dreams with Sertraline, and it can be a bit sedating for some too. I found I got used to the vivid dreams fairly quickly; it took me a lot longer to find a good time to take my pill, in terms of the sedating effect. For most of teh last 2 years I have been taking it at bedtime.

      It took an age for me to connect that with feeling like cr*p in the morning - being too tired to shower half the time! Now, I have changed to 4pm, and the dreams have intensified, but I am most definitely brighter in the morning. Both the GP and the pharmacist dismissed the timing as being of importance - but my experience tells me different. I wouldn't dwell on how you feel too much, but it helps to note general changes. 

      Good luck!

    • e97070lle
      e97070lle oliver87290

      Posted

      With vivid dreaming - are they nightmares or just generally vivid/strange?

      Do you find sertraline helpful overall? I will be taking it for anxiety so hope it's helpful!

      Thanks for your reply.

    • oliver87290
      oliver87290 e97070lle

      Posted

      Hi Jane - not nightmares - but strange, vivid, intense - sometimes fun, sometimes less so - but I have always been quite aware of my dreams - you know how some people say they never dream? I am not one of those! There was a strong component of anxiety for me too - and I have found it very helpful. Almost completely lost my libido, but I feel a small price to pay; and I don't intend to be taking them for ever - I have already reduced my dose from 150mg to 100mg. I reckon I will give it another 6-8 months before making another reduction. 

      I often see people on the discussion boards trying to assess the usefulness of an antidepressant after a matter of weeks. Unless you have an acute reaction to a drug, I reckon it has to be given a month or two to load the dose, and become accustomed to it. Like I said, I wouldn't try to pay too much attention to every sensation you feel - if you focus too much on your body, ever, you will find an ache and pain inplace you didn't even know you had! But adopting a mindfulness to your energy, sleeping, waking, apetite can be very helpful. I may take many months to put the feelings of anxiety entirely behind you, and it may well help to see if you can get some counselling/talking therapy, but one day at a time, those months will whizz past. Once again, good luck.

  • cherry123
    cherry123 e97070lle

    Posted

    Hi Jane..my experience of sertraline was that it definitely helped with my anxiety. I started on 50mg about 18 months ago then after 2 months it was increased to 75mg. U need to stick with it for 6 weeks at least as it can take this long to show any effect. I am currently in process of weaning off them..slowly..started over 2 months ago and am now down to 25mg every fourth day. Have just to take 2 more of these & then stop so will see then but so far so good. Haven't had any bad withdrawal effects so far & the really bad sweats I had on sertraline have decreased dramatically. Had vivid dreams too but I think the pros of sertraline outweighted the cons for me. The big question now is how I will b when they are completely out of my system.  Sertraline certainly worked for me so far and I hope it does for u too. Definitely if u have any questions ask your gp/pharmacist. Best wishes and keep posting! 
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