Posted by Bill L on December 17, 2001, at 9:01:18
In reply to Anxiety Disorder - How to switch Paxil to Zoloft, posted by BobS. on December 16, 2001, at 17:57:02
Have you ever tried Celexa? I would try Celexa before trying Zoloft since your major problem is anxiety. I read a recent article by clinical physicians who reported that Celexa was better for anxiety than Prozac or Zoloft. Atleast in experiences with their patients. They did not have to prescribe anti-anxiety medication as often to patients using Celexa compared to Proxac and Zoloft.
Also, a new version of Celexa will be on the market in a few months which is more effective with fewer side effects than the current Celexa. It's called escitalopram. That's good news because even the current Celexa generaly has less side effects than most other antidepressants.
You also mentioned weight gain and sexual dysfunction. Between Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa I don't know if there is any difference in weight gain. But all 3 of them would probably cause less weight gain than Paxil in most patients.
For sexual dysfunction, I take 120 mg of Ginkgo twice a day (240 mg total) along with Celexa and it has helped a lot. I read about Ginkgo's effect on SSRI induced sexual problems in some medical articles. The only precaution is that you should aviod taking Ginkgo if you have or develop bleeding problems. Escitalopram caused less sexual problems and less daytime tiredness than Celexa in clinical trials.
> I am currently at 5 mgs Paxil per day after my last failure to discontinue the Paxil. I had at least four other Paxil discontinuation failures, suffering "all" the classic discontinuation symptoms, both physical and mental. Since I am chained to an SSRI (going on 6 years) I want to try Zoloft instead on the assumption that weight gain and sexual dysfunction might be somewhat less problematic on Zoloft. I also take 1.5 mgs Xanax per day, which I hoped would allow me to get off Paxil. My doctor is very good except at empathy for the agony/anxiety of SSRIs. I can take Xanax indefinitely, if needed, however I am concerned about memory if I push it to 2 mgs or above. Hence the need to keep some SSRI in the mix, just not totally numbing Paxil.
>
> In addition to advice on switching can someone give me a rough equivalent of Zoloft mgs to 10 mgs of Paxil?
>
> BTW, my problems are purely anxiety, no depression of any consequence.
> Thanks,
> BobS.
poster:Bill L
thread:87133
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011213/msgs/87190.html