Citalopram to Sertraline

Treatment and medication
1

Hi, first time poster.

I’ve just been prescribed sertraline 50mg to replace the citalopram 40mg I’ve been taking for a few years. I’ve been experiencing increased depression and anxiety over the last month or so, so I’m hoping the change will help in getting back to normal.

The doctor recommended that I stop taking the citalopram altogether and start taking the sertraline. I was just wanting to know if this is the best way for switching between these particular tablets? Especially as the citalopram is at the highest dose? From research online, it seems that people usually gradually reduce the citalopram before starting on sertraline.

Does anyone have any experience on switching who could advise? Thanks.

2

Hi Mario!

I did the same switch a few months ago, because of increased anxiety. I was on 20 mg citalopram and went on to 50 mg sertraline. My doctor asked my to go down to 10 mg citalopram during one week and then start on 50 mg sertraline at once. The switch went well (part from the week on 10 mg of citalopram, which was really bad).

I am afraid I don’t have any general advice for you.

Good luck!