From citalopram to sertraline

Treatment and medication
1

Hello , I am new to this forum and just after a bit of advice really.

I have been on citalopram 6 or 7 years and felt 30mg wasn’t helping anymore, so got switched to 50mg sertraline.

It will be three weeks on sunday i have been on this and feeling very down. I am off work today cause I really did just not want to go, i suffer with social anxiety and not very good with people at work , which is a new job i have been in for 2 months.

Do you think i should up to 100mg or have i not given it enough time, or is it a low dose coming from citalopram thats maybe why not working yet?

The last couple of days though i have had random bouts of where my head is really clear and feels like it is trying to work then goes away for abit.

So just wondering , thank you Carly

2

Hi Carly. Like you I swapped from citalopram to sertraline about 5 weeks ago. Started at 25mg for a week, 50mg for 2 weeks and 100mg for 2 weeks.

Doctor basically told me that about 150mg would be the equivalent dose to 40mg citalopram. I know that we need to be patient for this to work. I am not yet feeling any benefits just side effects but got to give them a chance to work I guess. Maybe give it another week before you increase see how you feel. I also take diazepam when needed. Here if you want to chat x

3

Hi Sharon. Thank you for the reply.  Yes i will give a little bit longer and if no change will go to 100mg. Wish i could just fast forward time lol . X

4

Hi Carly,

I started Sertraline just over 4 weeks ago on 50mg. I was supposed to increase to 100mg after 2 weeks. The side effects were awful and I was struggling at work, I was worried about doubling the dosage so decided to decrease down to 25mg and give my body time to adjust...after 10 days I upped another 12.5mg (cut tablet) to 37.5mg and I’m now on 50mg. Despite the side effects I did notice an improvement in my mental health and since I started taking the medication I have not had a panic attack...I’m happy to stay at 50mg for the time being and if and when I feel I need to increase to 100mg I do it gradually and during holidays from work, if possible...I’m happy with how things have turned out so far, and I am seeing a big difference now with my mental health!! Hopefully you’ll be able to work out what’s best for you x