Changing anti depressants

[Bev62]

Looking for advice please. I've been taking 12.5 mg Escitalopram for 6 months now and Psychiatrist is advising me to change to Venlafaxine as not a great improvement in anxiety & depression. He wants me to lower dose to Escitalopram to 10 mg for a week before changing to 37.5 venlafaxine for a week then upping to 75mg. I'm terrified of side effects and mood dropping when doing this. Anyone out there done this and how has it been?

I've done this but with different anti depressants, tapering off one while starting another should prevent worrying side effects so try not to worry. The fact you're seeing a psychiatrist tells me your mental health is particularly bad, so trust that they will keep a close eye on you during the transition.

Changing anti depressants was one of the best things I ever did.

I changed from escitalopram to mirtazipine and then added venlafaxine. My anxiety and depression are so much better. However, I think for me I will be on the medication for life to stop recurring poor mental health.

Tks Jojo can I just ask you if you had withdrawal/side effects while making the change?

I'm on 225mg venlafaxine for my depression after taking paroxetine I got immune to. Side effects differ between people

@Bev62 No withdrawal symptoms atall. I have only ever had withdrawals when I completely stopped medication. It isn't advised!