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Im being changed from Fluoxetine to Sertraline what's the difference?

Posted , 2 users are following.

pitch86
pitch86

I finally decided to go and see the doctor before xmas and was put on Fluoxetine. I suffer from depression, manic epiosdes, mood swings. I certainly feel like i have a few different personalities.

I was, at first, diagnosed with a "chemical imbalance", but after my 2nd check up and advised the doctor that it was making me higher than a kite in a hyper active world and not feeling in control / de attached from  myself  and high agression he has prescribed me Sertraline and maybe thinks it isnt a "chemical Imbalance".

(Im not overally sure what one of those is, so if you have any information on that it would be great.)

Im due to take these next week once i have come off Fluoxetine.

I have read different forums about Setraline and obviosuly every one has different side affects / reasons, so i wondered what the differences are and how it will be any different to what i am taking now.

Thanks

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • PharmaSara
    PharmaSara pitch86

    Posted

    Hello

    Just wanted to say a bit about switching from one antidepressant to another. Both these drugs are from the same group (SSRIs, Im sure you know that already) so their side effects will be quite similar, but as you say, everyone gets different ones, so you may notice differences, but on the whole, if you got on ok with fluoxetine, you should be ok with sertraline as they work in the same way with no significant differences influencing choice.  

    You are right to wait before starting the sertraline...current advice is 4-7 days after stopping F, you then start S at the low dose of 25mg daily then increase slowly if necessary in line with your doctor's instructions. 

    Are you having to switch because of the feelings of a 'high' you mentioned from taking F? Normally SSRIs are not prescribed if you suffer manic episodes / mania as they are obviously for depression. What is your diagnosis?

    I don't see how it'd be much different really, taking F or S.

    Hope this helps. Just a few opinions from a pharmacist!

    • pitch86
      pitch86 PharmaSara

      Posted

      Thanks so much for your reply. I'm currently on my last week of F ( 1 every 2 days) before I start S which is 50mg

      I think he's stopped me taking them due to the high feeling, not being In control and my anger. The diagnosis was at first chemical imbalance but know unsure. I'm due for next check up in round 4 weeks so we have time for it too work?

      I currently am taking for depression and anxiety thou think it's more than this.

      I wasn't sure why myself I'm being switched as I've only been on F for 4 weeks and wasn't sure if S was stronger/ weaker

      The side effects had gone until I started coming off F

    • PharmaSara
      PharmaSara pitch86

      Posted

      Hmmm, interesting. If I was you, I'd ask your doctor why you are changing specifically to sertraline. Sometimes they have favourites that they have more experience in using, and no-one else understands their choice! But after four weeks of trying it, you should be in a good position to see any side effects and mention these to your doctor. Maybe you were having withdrawal effects from reducing the fluoxetine dose, and when it's all gone out your system (it hangs around the longest) and been on S for 4 weeks, you'll feel better anyway. You can expect SSRIs to take at least 3 weeks to kick in, so stick with it, you often feel a bit worse before you feel better, but it'll come good. Take it in the morning with some food. 

      Its not not possible to say whether F or S is 'stronger' as that's a bit of a misleading term - they do the same job. Both for depression and OCD, but they're not for mania. And saying its a chemical imbalance is a bit difficult too, as how can that be proved as they don't do a blood test to measure the chemicals involved! Maybe best to see after 4 weeks how you feel and then go from there.  Sorry if I've rambled on a bit, hope it helps anyway.

    • pitch86
      pitch86 PharmaSara

      Posted

      It's not a problem! Ramble away! I appreciate your help thanks
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