Anyone changed from Citalopram to Sertraline?

[fallenempires]

How did you manage with reducing doses before introducing the new AD?

[HeadHeartAndSoul]

I was just moved straight from onto the other, going from 200mg Citalopram to 50 mg before it was increased to 100mg after two weeks.

[Moodybint]

Yes I have. I came off of Citalopram first, which made me feel quite ill for a few weeks. Went onto Sertraline and had no side effects apart from being slightly more tired!

[Moodybint]

I'm on 50mg

[fallenempires]

Thank you both.I've been advised to cut the citalopram right down to 10mg before taking the sertraline 50mg.
Very worried about doing this as I have an awful lot on at the moment & don't want to suffer more.
Last time I switched from fluoxeteine to citalopram I just switched from one to the other overnight.

[Moodybint]

Did the doctor suggest why you need to reduce? I only reduced as I decided to come off of them totally, then realised I needed something, so went onto Sertraline.

I take them for anxiety and have virtually no anxiety now. If you really have to reduce then do it very slowly. Perhaps discuss with your doctor again?

[Moodybint]

Also, what dose Citalopram are you cutting down from?

[fallenempires]

Cutting down from 40mg of citalopram.

[fallenempires]

Sorry, apparently it's a precautionary measure.

[Moodybint]

Ah I see. I only did from 20mg. Just make sure you get plenty of rest (if possible) and eat well etc. You may have no side effects at all. I have friends who were fine coming off of them.

[fallenempires]

Thank you!

[Sunnysidegold]

Hi, I came off 40mg citalopram in Feb before switching to 50mg of sertraline. I came down 10mg for 3 days then another ten and so on. I was worried because I was having an awful time with anxiety (was switching to sertraline because it was supposed to be better for anxiety).I had very few side.effects from coming off the citalopram but had a couple of nausea type feelings starting the new meds. Am now on 200mg (top dose) of sertraline and it's been.rrally good for me. Hope this helps, good luck

[fallenempires]

Thank you Sunnyside that sounds encouraging as we are/were on similar starting dosage.How quickly did you need to up the Sertraline?This is where my concern is as I'm obviously on top dose for citalopram.

[Vanillasky17]

I just finished off one pack and started the other. Am on 100mg and have been for about 6/8 weeks. I feel it's only just starting to work now.

[Sunnysidegold]

I started at 50mg but increased to 100mg after a week or so.i increased to 150mg in September and 200 in October. It is working very well for me at the moment.

[fallenempires]

Vanilla I'm confused,why are we all being told different things regarding switching?

[AgentCooper]

This is strange. I switched from 40mg Citalopram to 100mg sertraline with no reduction. GP told me there was no need to reduce as they were both SSRIs.

[fallenempires]

Sunnyside am glad to hear that you're doing well on them,always encouraging to hear positive outcomes as it's useful to others who have the fear of switching or changing(aka me!)

[fallenempires]

Sorry Vanilla & Agent missed your posts but thank you both.I'm baffled too,previous GP has since retired.GP that I've seen is utterly lovely but did seem to think that I needed to reduce over a period of time which atm is a scary prospect.I have had a few ongoing side effects which aren't ideal at all with citalopram but I've put up with it.Is this a new NICE thing perhaps?I did a Dr Google and it suggested some serotonin overload due to certain AD's life span if that makes sense?I'm utterly terrified tbh as I have things going on atm which I have no control over or responsibility for & I'm holding it together by all that I have left.The AD's that I'm on didn't solve the problems they can't but they have taken the edge off them.

[Moodybint]

Could the doc perhaps give Diazepam to tide you over?

[fallenempires]

Thanks Moodybint that might be an idea.

[WanderingTrolley1]

I switched from 20mg citalopram to 50mg Sertraline without any reduction.

[fallenempires]

Thank you Wandering not sure what to think tbh.Still taking normal dose as terrified to cut down.I was in the situation once when I was waiting for my prescription to come through & had to halve tabs for a few days & it was horrific.

[Pe3887]

Have just been switched from citalopram to sertraline as bad neausea in morning and suffered racing heartbeat. Went up to 148 bpm one morning. Apparently citalopram shouldn’t be taken when your on beta blockers as can give heartbeat problems

[Summerx]

I did exactly the same on the same dosage. Felt absolutely horrendous for about a week, anxiety and panic, stomach upset, headaches etc then everything settled down.

[Summerx]

I went from 40mg Citalopram straight to 100mg Sertraline. Felt absolutely horrendous for about a week, anxiety and panic, palpitations, stomach upset, headaches etc then everything settled down for me luckily