Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1096473

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Sertraline to escitalopram switch

Posted by jkl77 on December 29, 2017, at 13:30:09

I want to switch from sertraline to escitalopram. I am on 100 mg sertraline now, and want to go to 20 mg escitalopram.
Very preferable would be to just stop taking sertraline, then taking 20 mg escitalopram the next day, no tapering. Do you think it´s safe?

The conservative way is to taper sertraline to 50 mg, then start escitalopram at 10 mg.

Of course I will consult my doctor, but it would be interesting to hear others experience on this subject.

 

Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch

Posted by linkadge on December 29, 2017, at 16:19:18

In reply to Sertraline to escitalopram switch, posted by jkl77 on December 29, 2017, at 13:30:09

The half life of sertraline is around one day. Personally, I don't think there would be an issue with a direct switch.

20mg of escitalopram *may* be stronger than 100mg of sertaline however. You may wish to just do a direct switch to 10mg of esitalopram for a day or two and see how you feel - then bump it up, if needed.


Keep in mind, if you stop the sertaline, there will still be *some* drug in your system for a few days. As such, it may take a few days for the *feel* of escitalopram to be distinuished from the sertaline.

 

Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch

Posted by jkl77 on December 30, 2017, at 3:06:30

In reply to Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch, posted by linkadge on December 29, 2017, at 16:19:18

Ok. Maybe I will go for the direct switch without tapering, but one drug-free day in between to be on the safe side.

 

Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch » jkl77

Posted by beckett2 on December 30, 2017, at 10:17:26

In reply to Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch, posted by jkl77 on December 30, 2017, at 3:06:30

My doc had me switch those two within five days or so in a cross taper for my own comfort, otherwise given my constitution, I'd have been laid up. As it was, I had a few panic attacks.

 

Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch

Posted by jkl77 on December 31, 2017, at 5:58:47

In reply to Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch » jkl77, posted by beckett2 on December 30, 2017, at 10:17:26

How high was the doses when crosstapering?

 

Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch

Posted by linkadge on January 1, 2018, at 9:38:48

In reply to Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch, posted by jkl77 on December 31, 2017, at 5:58:47

I can't imagine needing more than a day (or two at max) switching from one SSRI to another (the exception being fluoxetine).

If you were switching to a more stimulating drug (say venlafaxine), then yes you might want to taper that drug on. But, escitalopram is fairly nutral in that regard.

You might notice that escitalopram is a bit more sedating than sertraline.

Linkadge

 

Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch

Posted by Ruuudy on February 23, 2018, at 21:47:19

In reply to Re: Sertraline to escitalopram switch, posted by linkadge on January 1, 2018, at 9:38:48

> I can't imagine needing more than a day (or two at max) switching from one SSRI to another (the exception being fluoxetine).
>


If you were switching from fluoxetine to another SSRI or SNRI, how many days would you allow for the fluoxetine to diminish?


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