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On Medication For Depression And Anxiety. Having Memory Problems. What Medicine Should I Take?
Question: I into depression/anxiety after a crisis, about 2 months ago. I started Venlafaxine (75mg/day; I've been on it for 6 weeks). It works well, but I've become phenomenally forgetful (memory problems). I asked the doctor to switch to Sertraline (it worked great once in the past). He gave me Sertraline, but I don't think I should just switch one day from Venlafaxine and start Sertraline the next day. But how do I diminish Venlafaxine and start Sertraline, without having too much time in-between?
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
Venlafaxine need 2-4 weeks to stop from a dose of 75 mg.
Please follow the below mention cross tapering regime.
You reduce the dosage of venlaxine by 37.5mg a day and start sertraline 12.5 mg a day. You continue this two drug regime for 2 weeks and after two weeks if you feel better, stop venlaxaxine and continue sertraline 12.5 mg doses. If you feel worse, increase sertraline to 25 mg and continue venlaxanine 37.5 mg for another two weeks. Then you stop venlafaxine (4 weeks from start of dose tapering) and according to your requirements based on your psychiatrist's opinion, increase sertraline gradually 12.5 mg every two weeks.
This needs to be confirmed with your treating doctor/psychiatrist.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Best Wishes,
Dr Sourav Ganguly
Thanks for your query.
Venlafaxine need 2-4 weeks to stop from a dose of 75 mg.
Please follow the below mention cross tapering regime.
You reduce the dosage of venlaxine by 37.5mg a day and start sertraline 12.5 mg a day. You continue this two drug regime for 2 weeks and after two weeks if you feel better, stop venlaxaxine and continue sertraline 12.5 mg doses. If you feel worse, increase sertraline to 25 mg and continue venlaxanine 37.5 mg for another two weeks. Then you stop venlafaxine (4 weeks from start of dose tapering) and according to your requirements based on your psychiatrist's opinion, increase sertraline gradually 12.5 mg every two weeks.
This needs to be confirmed with your treating doctor/psychiatrist.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Best Wishes,
Dr Sourav Ganguly
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Answered by
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