How long does sertraline take to work

Treatment and medication
1

Hi guys.

So I suffer from major depression and I've tried a few different ADs (fluoxitine and vensir) which didn't work and I've now been started on sertraline 50mg. I've been taking them for 3 weeks now and I feel worse. I don't have any motivation for anything which was my problem before. All I want to do is sleeping and I have lost a new job because I just didn't have the motivation. My marriage is being seriously affected by it all. I have also been getting angry so easily and my skin has broken out.

Do I stick with the sertraline and has anyone else experienced the same?

2

Hi Vicky

It could be a number of things the medication takes 4-6 weeks to take full effect so it might not be in your system yet. It could be the dose isn't enough. 50mg is a starting dose were you on a higher dose on the other tablets?

Or it could be the wrong medication...

I know this doesn't help but as everyone's different it's hard to tell some times

3

Hi Vicky

Hang in there, I have been on sertraline 100mg for 8 weeks now and apart from a very regent glitch have been feeling a lot better than I did. I have been on citilopram before but have to say this drug is faster acting.

I started feeling better around week 4-5 onwards so hang in there

Best of luck

4

Hi Dave thanks for the reply. I was down to 75mg of vensir before starting the sertraline. I'm gonna wait another couple of weeks and see if there's any improvement. I'd say my gp will likely want to increase to 100.

5

Sorry to hear you are having such a terrible time.

Give it another week to see if the symptoms you describe are side effects. If you don't start feeling better then maybe you need a higher dose.

Did you try a higher dose with the other medications?

6

Hi Steve yea I'm gonna stick at it and hope it improves. My gp will likely want to increase the dose.

Many thanks

7

Thank you. Yea I think I need a higher dose but will give it another week or so. The highest dose I was on with vensir was 225 it did nothing for me.

8

Been on setraline 5 weeks . 4 weeks at 50mg and 1 week 100mg.

First three weeks were so hard not able to sleep etc etc. I have a good doc who has had numerous calls and kept me on track.

Now i am starting to feel a boost and hope upping dose will help more.

Stick in there. Its torture but whats the alternatives?

9

Hi Geoff yea I'm gonna stick to it and hope it improves. Gonna see about upping dose soon.

Many thanks

10

Hi when did your sleep start to improve? Did you have poor sleep before starting setraline.  Did you have increased anxiety and how long did that last?

I am 3 weeks in and have terrible sleep and increased anxiety  really needto hear that it will improve soon

Thanks

11

Hi how are you feeling now??