Reducing Sertraline - advice

[Tasha2106]

I have reduced my dose from 50mg to 25mg for the last 3 days. First day I felt absolutely fine but for the last 2 days I have felt angry, moody, nauseous and just out of sorts. Anyone got any advice about how to cope with these symptoms.

I’ve read when coming of ad’s you drop my only 10%
So you dropping by 50% is way to much hence after 2/3 days the imbalance!

I know it’s hard when the the tablet/capsule only come in ex amount of doses
I’d try for if it’s a tablet
Cutting it in half, then half again so
12.5mg for at least 4/6 weeks

I’ve recently come off sertraline. Gosh it was rough. I was originally on 100mg, then reduced to 50mg for two weeks, now completely off it. For the first week I felt fine, then I began to get headaches that were absolute agony. Never felt pain like it, seriously considered ringing 111 at one point.

Then that eased off and I felt a bit better again for a couple of days and crashed again. My mood just plummeted. Crying spells, feeling worthless etc, basically depression all over again, which lasted a good few days.

Fingers crossed, it seems to have eased off now, so I’m assuming it was just withdrawals, as awful as they were.

I would try and ride it out, but if you’re having any thoughts of self harm or suicidal ideation, or it doesn’t settle after a week, I would give your gp a ring ASAP

Do it slow slow slow - more gradually. I made a chart!! Do it over a few weeks.

As slowly as possible is the best way to taper off. Please don't rush it. And take each reduction for a month before you reduce again.

So if I continue to take 25mg for a couple of weeks, what is the best way to then come off them completely. My GP suggests take one miss a day then take one miss two days? Does this sound right. I’m struggling with side effects of withdrawal - feeling extra tired, snappy and just generally achy - is this normal?

Tasha please don't do the alternate days as this messes with your nervous system. It is best using a pill cutter to cut the tablet again to 12.5 and stay on that for a week or two or at least your symptoms settle. If symptoms persist wait until wait until they settle even if it takes longer.

I didn't have any trouble with the every other day thing. I'm down to 50 a day, and will shortly go to 50 alternating with 25. When that settles I'll do 25 a day. Then miss every third day. Then every other day etc.

You do need to stay at each dose until you feel ok though.

Get a pill cutting of amazon couple quid
I’d defo go from 25mg to 12.5mg
These drugs are so powerful, and nobody wants bad SE from coming off if they can bloody help it

Not on sert, so presume it’s a tablet
You could if you want
Cut the 25mg in half 12.50mg
then half again
So 6.25mg = 18.75mg
A much slower way, and don’t drop again till symptoms have subsided

I would not do alternated days
Messes with your brain to much

Same experience going from 50 to 25. Awful. Hold at 25 until you feel stable-you will.

I then alternated 25 and 12.5 for a week. To be honest it was okay but tiring, like a constant mental loop. Possibly helped reduce physical withdrawal.

I'm on day 5 of cutting from 100 to 50. I've been on 50 for 3 years, 100 for only a few months.
First few days were awful, horrible stomach upset, lethargy, miserable and aimless. I slept over 10 hours a day. Now feel fairly normal but will stay on 50 a long time. Don't feel brave enough to go to anything under 50 :/

Also OP supplements such as Omega, magnesium and b complex do help with the side effects. How are you doing?