1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Sertraline

Sertraline better tolerated than Citalopram?

Posted , 6 users are following.

clarkio
clarkio

Hi,

    I was prescribed Citalopram late last year and despite it working really well for me on a previous occasion I could not handle the start up side effects on this occasion and had to stop after 11 days.  Since then have been on Mirtazapine which unfortunately just hasn't worked for my anxiety.

 

Am currently withdrawing from the Mirtazapine and doctor has suggested trying Sertraline which I'm a bit woriied about as it's another SSRI like Citalopram.

    So my question is has anyone had bad start up side effects on Citalopram but then gone on to find that they tolerated Sertraline better.  Not wishing to bias the converstaion too much but I'm hoping for positive type responses as I really need to get rid of this anxiety which has been hanging around for about a year now.

Thanks

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

Next
  • Clare1972
    Clare1972 clarkio

    Posted

    Hi Clarkio, 

    Some years ago I had Citalopram for my anxiety, I didn't find it that helpful and I had weight gain and sweating. Last year I took Sertraline it worked really well for my anxiety, I was housebound before I took it and was able to get out and about very happily after I had got up to one tablet. It was a complete success for me. I decided to come off it to try for a baby but suffered some other stressful situations so decided to go back on the sertraline again now. 

    Last time I took Sertraline I didn't have many side affects but I started on 12.5g and then moved up really slowly over a few months. This time I have had a lot more side affects but I have gone back on the tablet a lot quicker. 

    I would say citalopram did nothing for my anxiety but Sertraline worked workers.

    x

    • clarkio
      clarkio Clare1972

      Posted

      Thank you, interesting to hear you say you started on 12.5mg.  My doctor suggested starting on 25mg and was wondering if it was possible to start on a lower dose to try and lessen side effects.
    • Clare1972
      Clare1972 clarkio

      Posted

      I didn't have the confidence to start on half as the doctor had advised. I started on 12.5g, stayed on that for 1 week then upped again and stayed there for another week. It took me 5 weeks to get to half a tablet but I think I didn't notice any positive results until I was on half and above. The side affects were annoying but manageable.  It was a bit fiddly cutting up the tablets but I got a pill box and would cut them up for the week ahead. 
    • clarkio
      clarkio Clare1972

      Posted

      Thanks, that sounds like a sensible strategy.
  • Guest
    Guest clarkio

    Posted

    Hi Clarkio.......I had been on Citalopram for about three years and stopped taking it last year as it made me always feel very fatigued.have been taking Sertraline for about 5 weeks and feel pretty okay on it.I am on 50 mg.I started on 25mg to allow my body to get used to it,then 37.5 for another week until I upped it to 50 mg.hope this helps!All the best,Sally :-))
    • clarkio
      clarkio Guest

      Posted

      Thanks Sally happy that the Sertraline is working ok for you, gives me hope it'll work for me as well.
  • e97070lle
    e97070lle clarkio

    Posted

    Hello..

    I took citalopram, at various doses, for 12 years approx and recently weaned myself off to start sertraline (50mg). I havent really had major side effects with either, (a few to begin with when on the sertraline such as upset stomach and increased anxiety). However, I havent really found sertraline to be very helpful, at least at the 50mg dose. If anything I feel I have gone backwards slightly. I am going to the doctor later to see what he says!

    I know that sertraline takes a while to really get into your system. Are you going to start on 50mg? Some people start lower than that, but I was put onto 50mg straight away and was terrified of side effects (my constant fear of side effects actually caused side effects, I think!) but overall it wasnt too bad.

    • Clare1972
      Clare1972 e97070lle

      Posted

      Hi Jane, My doctor says 100-150mg is the normal dose so maybe they will suggest you put it up. I have heard a few people say they got better as the dose got higher. Good luck at the doctors today.

      x

       

    • e97070lle
      e97070lle Clare1972

      Posted

      Thanks Clare. Are you on 100 or 150 and if so how did it compare to 50mg? What, if any, side effects did you experience with the increased dose? x
    • Clare1972
      Clare1972 e97070lle

      Posted

      I am actually on 37.5g at the moment and planning to go to 50mg at the weekend my doctor has been pushing me to go higher quicker but I don't want the side affects and I had a terrible bout of gastroenteries a few weeks ago and my stomach is still affecting so I didn't want to rush upwards. This time around I have had most of the side affects going! but I think last time I took it I was in better shape and less anxious so I didn't really notice the side affects. 

      Have you noticed anything good from them yet?

    • e97070lle
      e97070lle Clare1972

      Posted

      Hi Clare

      I think I feel less dizzy and light headed on it, I used to feel very unsteady on my feet and like I was going to fall over all the time and had to cling to the walls, walk by the edge of a room or grab something, or just stop, or sit down etc. and this has pretty much gone. I dont know if it is the sertraline but I hope it is. Anyway, has your doctor said she/he will want you to go onto a higher dose than 50mg? I remember my doc saying that 50mg is the lowest and they may have to move me up (this was when I was first prescribed it).

       

    • Clare1972
      Clare1972 e97070lle

      Posted

      I am glad that has gone it sounds awful! I think my doctor plans to get me up higher but she says until I get on a normal dose (50mg) then wait 2 weeks for it to settle, they can't tell if it is working and so will decide then. I have been on it for about 6/7 weeks now (mainly on half)  but she insists that until when I get to 50mg that is day one and she will decide 2 weeks later! 
  • Louise1982x
    Louise1982x clarkio

    Posted

    Hi Clarkio,

    Am sorry to hear you are having a rubbish time too. I was on citalopram last yr for depression and was ok apart from grinding teeth, sweats and lethargic. I finished them in june( i thought I had conkered my demons) and after having 8 wks off them ended up suffering from anxiety which in my case is 100 times worse than depression I think 200mph its so draining. Well bk to the tablets i've been put on sertraline this time and 3wks into the course I am suffering with headaches, nausea but the anxiety has increased which has made my life more manageable. The doc did say 6wks for it to work properly so am keeping my fingers crossed as I just want to get bk to my happy go lucky self rather than this crazy whirlwind am in. 

    Ps my mums on sertraline she had no side effects and it has changed her life around. 

    Good luck and well wishes xx

  • Louise1982x
    Louise1982x clarkio

    Posted

    I was meant to say decreased anxiety not increased sorry!! Thats me working 200mph lol

    Take care 

    • clarkio
      clarkio Louise1982x

      Posted

      Thanks Lousie.  Yes anxiety is my main problem too.  When I tried Citalopram last year they made me feel terrible (anxiety went through the roof, insomnia, pins and needles etc.) which was odd as when I'd taken them 10 years previously I found them a mriacle drug.

      Glad to hear you've not found the Sertraline too bad to get started on.  I would gladly trade my anxiety for bit of nausea.

    • Louise1982x
      Louise1982x clarkio

      Posted

      Hi Clarkio

      Thats just how I feel would rather have nausea than the constant feeling of something going to happen and butterflies in my tummy. 

      Hope u feel btr soon

      hakuna matata x

Back to top
Next

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.