Citalopram vs Sertraline

[tiredmumofthreeee]

I’ve gained over 20lbs in almost two years on 20mg of Citalopram despite not changing diet or activity levels, and am finding it really hard to lose any of it. My GP has suggested switching to Sertraline - saying that different drugs affect people in different ways so it’s hard to know if it would make any difference/make it worse/better. In other ways Citalopram has helped me a lot but the weight is making me miserable - would you try the switch? Any experience with Sertraline vs Citalopram?

bump for visibility as would be v grateful for any experiences!

I gained a load of weight on sertraline 😕 and only partly because I stopped giving a shit about anything. I haven't been on citalopram so can't compare. I guess it might be worth a try though.

If you're unhappy with the side effect of your current med I would consider trying sertraline. You can always switch back, but you may well find that sertraline does not cause you the same level of weight gain.

Everyone is different and side effects will be different for each person too, so it is impossible for us to know how you will find sertraline. Personally, I have been on sertraline for three years now and have not experienced weight gain or changes in appetite. I have become more active because it has helped my depression and anxiety so I am in far better shape than I was before I started taking it. Therefore, it is hard to say if it's directly the sertraline that has made me lose weight/not gain weight or whether the effect on my mood and mental health has helped me to live a healthier lifestyle.

Sertraline worked great on depression front but caused bladder to stop functioning correctly so had to switch to mirtazapine which has made me starving and fat! Not tried citalopram but annoying to hear it's also a weight gain one.