Is Setraline more expensive than Citalopram?

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

My usual GP has been away for quite a long time so went to see the one I was originally registered to (with?). We discussed upping my dose from 20mg to 30, which she agreed with. However, I brought up the fact that I was still breastfeeding DD and she said she was not happy with doing the increase in such situation. We went through other ioptions and I thought about them some more at home.

So today I call her to say that after all I am willing to come off Citalopram to then switch to an AD that does not show in breast milk, which first I didn't want to do. She says OK and then tells me to see my usual doctor to get the new prescription in 2 to 3 weeks , when i'm off Citalopram.

Am I being suspicious here thinking she doesn't want to prescribe the more expensive drug? She was happy to advise me different options and then accepted coming off the original drug but then directed me to the other GP for the prescription. So it wasn't as if she didn't want to embark on other GP's territory with changing my AD .

[fluffydressinggown]

They are around the same price.

I think she maybe wants you to start the new medication with your usual GP and then they can monitor you as needed.

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

Hmmm, I just remember reading something on here obviously the net, that Sertraline was more expensive. So that's my conspiration theory down the drain.

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

Hmmm, I ask about Karvol and I get 30 replies. I ask about this and it's tumbleweed.

[ImNotCute]

I've taken both, so out of curiosity have looked up the answer ( have a drug reference book around the house due to dh's job). Sertraline is cheap as chips: less than £2 for a month's supply. The other poster may be right about the actual reason.

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

Thank you fluffy and Cute. I hold my hands up and accept I was being paranoid. It's just that the second GP is the one I'm actually registered with so I thought it odd she sent me back to the other one. I'm more than happy to see her again, I originally chose her as she is rather benign (well, at least seems so).
And all this talk about the GP's budget and the 'new' NHS, I'm recently a bit suspicious whenever they prescribe or don't prescribe to me. Clearly paranoid, not only anxious and depressed .

[WithanAnotE]

Just to wade in too.
I was switched from Citalopram to Sertraline so i could breast feed. The (then) NICE guidance recommended it as it had one of the lowest concentrations passed into breast milk (2010). Not much odds in the price either.

My doc just did a straight switchover though (I.e. stop and next day start Sertraline) to avoid any potential withdrawals or relapse.

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

Thanks WithanAnotE, i we t back to my usual GP and she said it was fine to start taking it straight away to. Well, every other day Sertralune and the Citalopram but only for a week or so.

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

Sorry for the atrocious spelling, usual excuse - on my phone with buttery fingers.

[katcatkat]

For me and others I know sertraline has more side effects whereas citalopram is less likely.
Could be this

[DrinkFeckArseGirls]

Thanks. katcat.

No, really thanks! Just one more thing to worry about but forewarned is forearmed. It wasn't that great for me starting Citalopram and the increasing it so hopefully Sertraline will be a bit more 'lenient'. Plus I've put on a stone, which I'm sure is due to Cit. and I can't shift it with gym and careful eating.