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I have recently changed my medication to Sertraline.

Posted , 3 users are following.

tony19783
tony19783

After being on Paroxetine ( Seroxat ) for a number of years I changed to Sertraline 4 weeks ago, I am on 50mg. The side effects have been quite drastic, diarrhoea, heart palpitations, restlessness and a couple of panic attacks which I have never had before. On the plus side the medication is doing what it is supposed to do. I plan to give it a chance to work properly, say up to 3 month's. Has anybody else had any similar experiences with this medication?

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • debra34304
    debra34304 tony19783

    Posted

    Hi Tony y did you switch from paroxatine? How long was u on it for? What dose was you on. Can you remember how long it took to kick in properly please 
    • tony19783
      tony19783 debra34304

      Posted

      Hi Debra,

      I was on Paroxetine for about 20 years without any noticeable side effects. I was on 50mg, the maximum is 60mg. It lost it's effectiveness. I did try increasing it to 60mg before deciding to try something else. I cannot remember how long it took to take effect but I don't think it was too long.

  • sean52055
    sean52055 tony19783

    Posted

    Hi Tony

    Been on 50mg Sertraline 2 days and the side effects are unreal as you say diarrhoea, shakes, insomnia, dizziness, feeling sick, strange sensation in my head, no appetite, just to mention a few. But last night I halved the tablet just before bed time and so far this morning feel fine. I must have slept through the worst of it but then again took sleeping tablets before bed time which may have worked. Going to try this for a week and if it helps then go back to 50mg and take it at night. Side effects unreal . Sometimes its better to wean yourself on to them and this is what I am going to try.

    • tony19783
      tony19783 sean52055

      Posted

      Hi Sean,

      I am thinking of reducing the dose to 25mg too, I was only on 25mg for one week before increasing it to 50mg. Not sure what to do. I can either stay on the 50mg a bit longer and hope the side effects subside or reduce to 25mg to see if that reduces the side effects. It really is trial and error mate to see what best works for you, I wish you well. 

    • debra34304
      debra34304 sean52055

      Posted

      Hi Sean what sleeping tablets are you taking. And how long Av u been on them. Thanx x
    • sean52055
      sean52055 tony19783

      Posted

      took 25mg last night and 2 sleeping tabs and slept like a log and woke up feeling great and so far no side effects so I will keep it going for a week and then try to increase.
    • sean52055
      sean52055 debra34304

      Posted

      I'm on zopiclane 7.5mg but had not taken them for a while but they really worked last night as I had a great sleep but I also cut the sertraline down to 25mg. Will do this for a week and then up the sertraline and see what happens. Night time seems to work for me taking tablets.

    • debra34304
      debra34304 sean52055

      Posted

      Hi Sean how long was u on zoplicone b4. R they hard to taper off x
    • sean52055
      sean52055 debra34304

      Posted

      was on them for over a year and had no difficulty going off them but I did it gradually just incase

       

    • debra34304
      debra34304 sean52055

      Posted

      Hi Sean do you take 2 a night? Av u ever taken any through the day to help keep you calm. The sleeping tablets won’t stop my antidepressants from working will they? X
    • sean52055
      sean52055 debra34304

      Posted

      Hi Debra

      They done me no harm but as I just told Tony I stopped the sertraline as I could not stand the side effects any longer they were not worth it. Going back to clinic to see what's available without side effects.

      Sean

  • debra34304
    debra34304 tony19783

    Posted

    HI Tony I used to be on it for 17yrs and it helped me really well. Then the doctor switched me to sertraline which really didn’t do anything for me. So he put me back on paroxatine which I’ve been on 20mgs now for the past 7wks with little progress. Any advice or reassurance please x
    • tony19783
      tony19783 debra34304

      Posted

      Hi Debra, 20mg Paroxetine isn't very strong at all. I was on 50mg's for years and it helped up to a certain point. At the end of the day you have to do what is good for you, everybody's experiences seem to be different. Good luck. 

  • sean52055
    sean52055 tony19783

    Posted

    Hi Tony

    The side effects were so severe  that I stopped taken them. The sickness and not eating and the shakes got soo bad I could not even hold a glass. medication is supposed to help people but that tablet was not for me. Will get it changed at next visit.

    Sean

    • tony19783
      tony19783 sean52055

      Posted

      Hi Sean,

      I came off the Sertraline this morning, GP has prescribed me Citalopram 10mg, start tomorrow. I could not handle the side effects, those tablets have made me feel so ill. Hope you find something suitable soon.

    • debra34304
      debra34304 tony19783

      Posted

      Hi Tony how long was you on sertraline for? As the doctor Justed stopped it
    • tony19783
      tony19783 debra34304

      Posted

      Hi Debra,

      I was on Sertraline 50mg for 4 weeks, the side effects were terrible. The GP has put me straight on Citalopram 10mg, start today.

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