Sertraline to Citalopram

[Kitkat2003]

I started on Sertraline on the Wednesday 1st April after experiencing Anxiety and panic attacks, I started on 50mg, but by the following monday I had to ring my doctor, because the side effects were so bad, she recommended dropping down to 25mg, which I did for a couple of days, but I made the decision this drug wasnt for me. The doctor told me to stop and prescribed me Propanolol to try and help with the racing heart etc and also 10mg Citalopram. I'm on Day 4 of this treatment, but what I was wondering is because I was on sertraline for just over a week will the serotonin levels from the first drug still be in my system and the 10mg of Citalopram just be carrying on the work that sertraline was doing, but at a lower dose. When will I notice a difference. Hope that all makes sense.

[blackcat64013]

I am writing as a patient who has tried 4 antidepressants before finding the right one for me.

Sertraline has a half life of about 1 day. This means that for every day that passes without taking it, the level in the blood drops by 50%. So after 1 day it will be 50%, day 2 is 25%, day 3 is 12.5% etc.

The new drug will take 1-4 weeks to work. This is just a guide than a rule. Each body will react differently as you have already found out. Both drugs are from the same group of antidepressants called SSRIs so you should be okay switching over.

From my experience it is a great help to keep track of dates started and stopped in case you need to provide a history to a new provider. Finding the right meds can be trial and error I am afraid. Your doctor prescribes based on your symptoms using their knowledge and patients experiences. Working as a team with your doctor equals a better outcome.

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Hi, I use this medication to help with my anxiety. I have been taking it for over a year now and for me I noticed great benefits. It did take a while to get in my system and 10mg I'm told is a low dose but I have never needed to increase my dose but the doctor did talk about taking 20mg daily. I have stuck with 10mg as it works for me. I'm certain my doctor said it could take up to 2mths to get into your system and to start feeling the benefit. I hope it works for you. I do take cerelle mini pill to and if my anxiety is really bad I can safely take kalms with both these meds. I have only had to do this once, short term when I changed jobs last year.

[Anon030716]

Hi, I have been prescribed both sertraline 50mg and propranolol 10mg for my anxiety and was just wondering what side effects you suffered with?? My anxiety itself is holding me back from taking these meds but I know I need to take something as it’s getting unbareable ☹️ I have a panic attack atleast everyday and I just need some advice and wishful thinking really, Thankyou x

[Kitkat2003 in reply to Anon030716]

Hi I was only on it for a week and I took myself off it, I couldnt get out of bed for the week, it floored me, I was nauseated, sick a couple of times, very aggitated, not good, but please dont let that but you off, everyone is different, and I have heard good reports about it.