Should I change from citalopram to sertraline?

[MenopausalRubbish]

x posted in MH

Hi

I have been on Citalopram for nearly two years. I am on a low dose of 10mg a day but it makes me feel very sleepy. I can't work out if I really feel sleepy or have just convinced myself I feel sleepy.

I am happy on it and would come off but am going through menopause to think it is easier to stay on for a bit. I asked to change to something that would make me feel less dozy and was prescribed Sertraline.

The problem is that reading suggests that Sertraline may give me insomnia, which I know I won't cope well with.

Is Sertraline generally something that will make me feel more agitated than Citalopram? So confused.

[PollyPerky]

Can't help- sorry. But...if you have been prescribed ADs for anxiety that could be hormonally linked around menopause, the latest NICE guidelines are telling GPs to use HRT not ADs unless someone has clinical depression. Just something to think about.

[MenopausalRubbish]

Do you know why that is Polly? Many thanks.

[PollyPerky]

If you go to the website Menopause Matters they have links to the NICE guidelines on the Home page- there are links to the whole report and a shorter version 'for patients'. You can find the piece about ADs about halfway through- think it's under 'treatment'.

My understanding from reading the report is that they say (these are my words paraphrasing it) 'ADs have no place in the management of menopausal symptoms [low mood, flushes etc] except in women diagnosed with clinical depression.'

The reasoning is that the symptoms are caused by loss of oestrogen so the correct treatment is oestrogen- not ADs which may have serious side effects.

[jojotunny]

I don't think there is any difference in the 2 I prefer citropram and was on 20mg and never felt sleepy infact I felt more energetic hope that helps

[jojotunny]

Plz excuse the spelling