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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chris87 on April 1, 2009, at 13:04:36
I'm switching from Lexapro to Zoloft. Unfortunately, Lexapro hasn't done anything for my OCD or anxiety, and it also makes me incredibly tired. I'm a little wary of trying Zoloft, but it's the one my doctor suggested. His pharmacology knowledge isn't very strong though, so I'm hoping someone could confirm what he told me. I'm on 20mg of Lexapro. He told me that 50mg Zoloft is equal to about 10mg Lexapro. When switching, I simply take the Zoloft in place of the Lexapro that I would have normally taken. He advised me to take 50mg to start.
Does this sound right? Is there anything that I should be aware of? I appreciate the help.
As a side note, how is it that my psychiatrist is so clueless with medication? I mean he was asking me if Zoloft was FDA approved for OCD. I'm thinking to myself that's pretty bad when you have to ask your patient. I know so many of the drugs are used off-label...I don't even see the point in worrying about it. Then he was like...maybe we should try Luvox...that has approval for OCD.
Posted by overtheedge on April 1, 2009, at 13:29:20
In reply to Switching from Lexapro to Zoloft, posted by chris87 on April 1, 2009, at 13:04:36
Hi,
as far as i know zoloft treats ocd, i have been on it for about 5 yrs, doesn't, or should i say didn't make me tired all the time i have been taking it. starting dose for me was 50mg, tried raising it to 100 but to strong a dose for me....
time for me to find a new med now but good luck, i think you'll like it oh and it worked well on my anxiety as well but i also take klonapin, so not sure if it was the klonapin or the zoloft that did the trick with that, although i had no more anxiety on it..
Posted by tensor on April 1, 2009, at 13:29:27
In reply to Switching from Lexapro to Zoloft, posted by chris87 on April 1, 2009, at 13:04:36
Do you have benzos at hand? If you're the anxious type, like me, 50mg of Zoloft can be tough the first days, i.e. more anxiety. If you don't have or get any benzos start at 25mg.
> As a side note, how is it that my psychiatrist is so clueless with medication?
I have always wondered that too, pdocs tend to stick to a few meds, their own 'favorites'. But it's not like there's a plethora of i.e. antidepressants, and it's not like there's a new one released on the market each week either, so it wouldn't be that hard to stay updated with at least the most popular ones.
Regards,
Mattias
Posted by Zana on April 1, 2009, at 13:52:11
In reply to Re: Switching from Lexapro to Zoloft » chris87, posted by tensor on April 1, 2009, at 13:29:27
I don't know the answer to your questions but it sounds like you are not sure your doctor does either. Have you thought about finding a psychpharm doc who is more knowledgeable. I would be very uneasy with a doc who didn't seem to know a lot about pysch meds.
Zana
Posted by desolationrower on April 1, 2009, at 20:06:59
In reply to Re: Switching from Lexapro to Zoloft, posted by Zana on April 1, 2009, at 13:52:11
well, the thing is the ssris are basically all the same (although individuals sometimes have odd reactions to particular ones) and the FDA approvals for the various depression/anxiety disorders on them are mostly marketing. about the only compartive research showing any difference is favorable to lexapro, although it was funded by lexapros' manufacturer, so its not too convincing. But switching to another ssris like that is the right approach for OCD, good luck with the new drug.
-d/r
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2009, at 21:17:11
In reply to Re: Switching from Lexapro to Zoloft, posted by desolationrower on April 1, 2009, at 20:06:59
d/r I found them all different some stimulating others not. Prozac was a definite stimulator for me. Where although only took 50mg of zoloft felt nothing but of course was on benzos. Luvox is my favorite as no side effects and it intensifies valium and xanax so you need less benzos. Phillipa
Posted by Relapse on April 1, 2009, at 22:43:46
In reply to Switching from Lexapro to Zoloft, posted by chris87 on April 1, 2009, at 13:04:36
Wow, I agree with zana, find a pdoc you can trust. That said I've tried most of the ssri meds over the last 13 years. Zoloft has been the best for me concerning off the chart anxiety and depression (I minor in OCD). However, concerning OCD, I understand your dose needs to be at the higher end to be effective. The published max dose is 200mg. I take 150. You may have to up the dose later. It is standard to start out with 50mg and bump up from there. As folks advise here don't rule out the older drugs. If I well.. relapse on Zoloft, thats where I'll be heading.
Good Luck, Dave
Posted by manic666 on April 2, 2009, at 3:02:35
In reply to Re: Switching from Lexapro to Zoloft, posted by Relapse on April 1, 2009, at 22:43:46
dont worry about the cross taper its ok , i did the same you may an will feel dopy for a few days then your clear to wait to see if it will work or not, 50mg is good 100mg was to much for me on benzo zombied me, on 75mg an hope to drop to 50mg unless you are rendered 80% depressed 50 is cool
Posted by raisinb on April 2, 2009, at 9:11:29
In reply to Switching from Lexapro to Zoloft, posted by chris87 on April 1, 2009, at 13:04:36
He's right about the dose equivalents. 50 mg might not totally do it for you, so you can bump up in small increments.
You may also have start-up side effects like anxiety, insomnia, hand tremors and muscle twitches.
Zoloft has been a great med for me. I have MDD with significant anxiety. I have been on both Zoloft and Lexapro and I felt that Zoloft was a bit stronger, though more likely to make me apathetic and take away my sex drive at higher dosages.
This is the end of the thread.
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