How long does sertraline take to work

Posted , 7 users are following.

Hi guys.

So I suffer from major depression and I've tried a few different ADs (fluoxitine and vensir) which didn't work and I've now been started on sertraline 50mg. I've been taking them for 3 weeks now and I feel worse. I don't have any motivation for anything which was my problem before. All I want to do is sleeping and I have lost a new job because I just didn't have the motivation. My marriage is being seriously affected by it all. I have also been getting angry so easily and my skin has broken out.

Do I stick with the sertraline and has anyone else experienced the same?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Vicky

    It could be a number of things the medication takes 4-6 weeks to take full effect so it might not be in your system yet. It could be the dose isn't enough. 50mg is a starting dose were you on a higher dose on the other tablets?

    Or it could be the wrong medication...

    I know this doesn't help but as everyone's different it's hard to tell some times

    • Posted

      Hi Dave thanks for the reply. I was down to 75mg of vensir before starting the sertraline. I'm gonna wait another couple of weeks and see if there's any improvement. I'd say my gp will likely want to increase to 100.

  • Posted

    Hi Vicky

    Hang in there, I have been on sertraline 100mg for 8 weeks now and apart from a very regent glitch have been feeling a lot better than I did. I have been on citilopram before but have to say this drug is faster acting.

    I started feeling better around week 4-5 onwards so hang in there

    Best of luck

    • Posted

      Hi Steve yea I'm gonna stick at it and hope it improves. My gp will likely want to increase the dose.

      Many thanks

  • Posted

    Sorry to hear you are having such a terrible time.

    Give it another week to see if the symptoms you describe are side effects. If you don't start feeling better then maybe you need a higher dose.

    Did you try a higher dose with the other medications?

    • Posted

      Thank you. Yea I think I need a higher dose but will give it another week or so. The highest dose I was on with vensir was 225 it did nothing for me.
  • Posted

    Been on setraline 5 weeks . 4 weeks at 50mg and 1 week 100mg.

    First three weeks were so hard not able to sleep etc etc. I have a good doc who has had numerous calls and kept me on track.

    Now i am starting to feel a boost and hope upping dose will help more.

    Stick in there. Its torture but whats the alternatives?

    • Posted

      Hi Geoff yea I'm gonna stick to it and hope it improves. Gonna see about upping dose soon.

      Many thanks

    • Posted

      Hi when did your sleep start to improve? Did you have poor sleep before starting setraline.  Did you have increased anxiety and how long did that last?

      I am 3 weeks in and have terrible sleep and increased anxiety  really needto hear that it will improve soon

      Thanks

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.