Doctor has prescribed 100mg of sertraline, is this a lot?

[vanessaj9991]

Doctor has prescribed me sertraline after sending in an e consultation due to PMDD symptoms (very sad and tearful between ovulation and period starting) and mild depression at other times. I do cope okay however.

I looked at the dose and it tells me to take one tablet a day for two weeks (50mg) and up dose to 100mg after two weeks taking 2 tablets a day. This seems like a lot considering the average dose is 50 and although I am suffering from depression I'm not suicidal or unable to function.

I don't think the average dose is 50mg is it? I think that's true starting/therapeutic dose. It might be a bit quick to go up to 100mg so you may want to go up a bit slower but I've never stayed at the starting dose of any AD for more than a couple of weeks and generally end up at the max within a month or so.

Hi, I obviously can't offer individual medical advice but I think you're right to be a bit cautious. I had very severe panic disorder and I am doing well on 50mg after two years. In my experience, the initial side effects you get while weaning onto the drug take more than 2 weeks to disappear so it's not really enough time to judge whether that is the right dose for you. I started to feel better at about 2-3 months and realised that 50mg would be enough to keep my symptoms well controlled. It's very individual and everyone will be different of course, depending on physiology/diagnosis/symptoms!

If I were you I would start by breaking the 50mg tablets in half and taking 25mg for the first week or two, this is what I was advised to do by GP and I'm glad I did because I felt quite strange at the start (not intended to scare you - again you may be fine!). You can then go up to 50mg for a few weeks and review how you feel after that.

@mynameiscalypso online it says 'the usual dose of sertaline is 50mg a day in adults'. So not average I mean usual. So I was just surprised to see id been told to take double that. I'm a bit nervous about taking it too

Be VERY careful. A lot of people have reported it's made them immune to feeling anything almost making them into a robot.
I've been on it before and had to stop for that same reason. Very dangerous, am shocked they are still prescribing them Willy nilly.
I would ask for another anti depressant.

I’ve been on 200mg for a long time. I also think with Sertraline that it seems a lot as starter doses in others tend to be 10mg.

DH was told by the doctor that 50g was a 'little old lady' dose. I think they prescribe up to 200g.

I started on 50mg for a couple of weeks then got increased to 100mg

I appreciate you had a bad experience but many thousands of people take sertraline (and others) on a daily basis and they are not only safe but life saving. The vast majority of people have no side effects.

50mg is definitely the usual starting dose rather than the usual therapeutic dose. This is from the BNF, which is the prescribing guide.

I think you can definitely stick at 50mg for as long as you like especially if you're worried about taking it. I've taken up to 250mg before and been fine. I hope you find it helpful.

It's not dangerous and nobody gets prescribed it unless it's thought to be potentially useful.
Sorry it didn't suit you, but there a lot of people whose lives have been improved by this medication.

I was on 200mg for years.

I totally get your concern! I’ve been on 100mg of Zoloft (sertraline) for a long time, and honestly, it has helped me so much with emotional stability and overall mood. Your doctor’s plan makes sense—starting with 50mg for two weeks helps your body adjust before moving to 100mg. That’s actually a very common dosage for PMDD and depression.

Even though 50mg is the typical starting dose, many people end up at 100mg or even higher if needed. The goal isn’t just to treat depression but to stabilize mood fluctuations, which can be intense with PMDD. If after a few weeks at 100mg you feel it’s too much, you can always check in with your doctor about adjusting.

When I order my sertraline, I always go with fast-supply24.com/buy-zoloft-uk.html, since I know their quality is reliable and I’ve never had issues with effectiveness. If you ever need reassurance, just know that you’re not alone in this, and the adjustment period usually gets better with time! 💙

I was on 50mg and my GP said they couldn't prescribe any higher, they would have to refer me for that

My own experience has been starting on 100mg and I am now on 200mg. I have had no side effects at all and I still feel like me, only a less depressed version.

MH professional here (plus long-term user of 200mg sertraline.

Usual starting dose is 50mg. If tolerated and if symptoms persist it’s raised to 100mg, ditto 150mg… upto a max dose of 200mg.

Contrary to a PP above, it is not used as a mood stabiliser (mood stabilisers are lamotrigine, lithium & valproate). Sertraline is an antidepressant and also used in order to treat anxiety.

Also contrary to the same poster as above - there is nil variation in quality been different brands. It has to meet rigorous testing standards to ensure standardisation of drug.

OP - if you’re in doubt I implore you to ask your GP and not to put much store in strangers online.