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A member asked:
After 10yrs on citalopram my doc is starting me on sertraline. is this stronger? i'm worried about withdrawals from the citalopram.
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Similar meds: Citalopram and sertraline are both medicines in the anti-depressant class known as ssris (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). They are similar but not identical. Perhaps the citalopram is not working as well as desired precipitating the switch. If you start the sertraline while coming off of the citalopram, there should not be withdrawal. There is little withdrawal with citalopram anyway.
Answered 10/8/2016
5.2k views
Don't worry!: Both citalopram & sertraline raise serotonin levels. Taking you off one and putting you on the other is simply looking to improve "molecular efficiency". You can't have a withdrawal syndrome if you're continuing to get the same neurotransmitter boost from sertraline that you once got from citalopram. Sometimes one stops working as well & switching the meds might help. Wait&see, but keep breathing!
Answered 9/20/2019
5.2k views
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