Dear Doctor - I Am Curious About How To Appropriately

Posted on Sat, 17 Nov 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 17 Nov 2018 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : Dear Doctor - I am curious about how to appropriately switch my antidepressant. I have been taking Zoloft 50 mg for a few months and overall, I do not feel good. I am not depressed or anxious but I feel very numb and not excited about anything anymore. I don't like it.

I am going to switch over to Celexa, which has worked for me in the past. I am wondering - if I just start tomorrow with the celexa at 10 mg will I have some weird side effects from switching over? Or will it be smooth? What should I expect to happen? I am hoping I can just make a clean switch without a problem. Please let me know!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Switch likely to be smooth

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Ask A Doctor service.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all, it will be important to know that Celexa and Zoloft act in similar fashion, on the same receptors and withdrawal symptoms of one can be addressed with the use of another. So if you stop Zoloft abruptly the chances of withdrawal symptoms is minimal as the majority of withdrawal symptoms will be taken care by Celexa.

Secondly, if you have some response with Zoloft the effect will be lost immediately, however, the effect of Celexa will take some time. In other words, if you have had a positive outcome with Zoloft till date, it will be lost for a few days leading in some worsening of symptoms. I need to make it clear that this will be temporary. In case you have no response will Zoloft there is little chance to have any problem during the switch.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.

In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (3 days later)

Yes. I would like to know wnich dose I should be on to make sure that it is similar to Zoloft 50. Would celexa 10 be good?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up.

The starting dose of Celexa is 10 mg per day and it will be almost equal to 50 mg of Zoloft.

In case 10 mg does not show effect over the 2-3 weeks than the dose should be increased to 20 mg per day.

I hope this answers you further.
Thanks and regards.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar