swapping citalopram to sertraline after 19 years. Can antidepressants stop working?

[sugarlove1]

I started taking citalopram when I was 30 due to terrible panic attacks and anxiety. They worked brilliantly and totally took the edge off the anxiety and stopped the panic attacks. I currently take 40mg but I don’t feel like they’re working effectively anymore. My anxiety is through the roof and I feel depressed and I can’t be bothered with anything. I’m seeing my GP next week and am thinking of asking for a switch to sertraline. Is it possible to switch straight over and has anyone swapped antidepressants after a long time taking them and had good results please?

[mits123]

Hi. I took citalopram on and off for many years, the last time the GP put me back on it it was hell! They swapped me over to sertraline, from what I can remember I had to reduce citalopram by half for 1 week, then stop citalopram altogether taking half the dose of sertraline for 1 week and then the 3rd week full dose of sertraline it worked OK. Was very scared about changing to another medication but it went fairly well with minimal side effects. Be guided by your GP and hopefully everything will work out, it is not unknown for antidepressants to stop working if you have been on them a while

[sugarlove1 in reply to mits123]

God I really want to avoid reducing the citalopram. I was hoping they may just do a straight swap.

[kenster1]

I wish you well never had a great time switching after many years on mirtazapine and ended up back on them.

[Stressedoutwoman]

I’ve switched before thought the fluxotine wasn’t working after 19 years went on sertaline had to reduced then build new no straight swop I don’t think you can

Anyway was awful on new meds felt so much worse changed back after 2 months as couldn’t stand it any longer was feeling more anxious weepy panicky and thankfully settled back down on fluxotine

Sometimes I think we think they not doing anything but they actually are

Good luck

[gerrerd]

I was on Citalopram for a few years, they stopped working change to a different one that was much better,

[sugarlove1]

thanks. Did you ween off the citalopram first please? My GP said to cut the 40mg to a half dose for a week and then move to sertraline

[Jimmyluke55]

I was on citalopram for 20 years and felt they were not working so they put me on mirtazapine I was so ill then they changed and put me on on sertraline it took a while to feel better but still have bad weeks , I’m on 200 mg at the moment good luck love xx