Evey Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Hi everyone, I was wondering what the process is when you switch from one SSRI to another SSRI. Do you just stop the one you've been taking and start the other or do you taper down as you start the other or... ? I'm most interested in changing from 40 mg of Paxil to Zoloft, but interested in hearing anyones story. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tryp Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 When I switched from Celexa to Zoloft, I tapered down the Celexa and started the Zoloft two weeks later, but I think there were other factors involved. IIRC my pdoc wanted to see how I would feel off Celexa before adding another drug. You can do it a couple of different ways - whatever your doc recommends is probably fine. I have also done cross-tapers between antidepressants before, where you decrease the dose of one at the same time as increasing the dose of the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calypte Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I think it just depends on your doctor. I just quit Lexapro (20 mg) cold-turkey when I switched to Zoloft (50 mg) and didn't have any problems. Same thing when I went from Zoloft to Effexor (an SSRI, technically). However, Paxil is the SSRI that tends to have the worst withdrawal symptoms, so there's something to be said for doing a cross-taper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eden Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 (edited) In my only experience between SSRIs I titrated down on one while simultaneously titrating up on another. I'd say it didn't go well but SSRIs jsut don't agree with me, regardless of the apporach. Edited March 3, 2012 by Eden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallowedink Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I stopped Citalopram c/t, but I tapered off Fluoxitine. Depends on your doctor and your dosasge, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 when i went off seroxat/paxil I was in hospital and I tapered off over a week and then went on zispin/remeron. I had no problems coming off paxil, however I do know that a lot of people have problems withdrawing from it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Emperor Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 I don't know. Some people's doctors have them taper off the current AD and then go on to the next one. I know that my doctor would just switch me from AD to AD without tapering anything. Maybe I'd take a day break between taking the old one and taking the new one sometimes. Don't know why that was. But yeah, in my experience, you just go from one to the next, and for me there were no ill effects. But YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 If going from SSRI to SSRI, I usually just stop taking on and start the other. I don't get discontinuation symptoms as long as I start the new SSRI right away. I only have a problem coming completely off SSRI's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 In my personal experience, I've just switched AD's (except for MAOI's) from one to the other, no tapering. That's just experience. I had no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted March 3, 2012 Author Share Posted March 3, 2012 Has anyone switched from Paxil to Zoloft. I wonder what the equalivant dose is for 40 mg of Paxil. I'm a bit worried about changing. I've been on Paxil for almost 10 years at various dosages, but I feel like it isn't working as well as it once did. :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tryp Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 As far as I know, 40 mg of Paxil is equal to about 100 mg of Zoloft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 Theres probably a conversion chart on the net somewhere. I'll look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 Anyone have a link to one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Elvis Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 I think 40mgs Paxil = 200mgs zoloft. Both are the max recommended effective dose for depression for each drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan77 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 Approximate equivalent dosages of SSRIs: citalopram 20mg escitalopram 5 mg fluoxetine 20mg paroxetine 20mg sertraline 50mg http://www.globalrph.com/antidepressants.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heybeesly Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 I'm switching from Celexa to Zoloft starting today, and my pdoc made me a whole week-by-week chart to get me through it. This week I take 20mg Celexa in the morning, and 25mg Zoloft in the evening. Next week I take 10mg Celexa in the morning, and 50mg Zoloft in the evening. The third week I stop the Celexa and take 75mg Zoloft. In the past I've always just stopped taking one and started the other without much issue. I'm interested to see how this cross-tapering works out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share Posted March 8, 2012 I'm switching from Celexa to Zoloft starting today, and my pdoc made me a whole week-by-week chart to get me through it. This week I take 20mg Celexa in the morning, and 25mg Zoloft in the evening. Next week I take 10mg Celexa in the morning, and 50mg Zoloft in the evening. The third week I stop the Celexa and take 75mg Zoloft. In the past I've always just stopped taking one and started the other without much issue. I'm interested to see how this cross-tapering works out. May I ask what you are taking the Zoloft for? I may be switching from Paxil to Zoloft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heybeesly Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 May I ask what you are taking the Zoloft for? I may be switching from Paxil to Zoloft For depression. I was on Celexa for a while, but it hasn't been helping very much and it seriously messes with my sleep. So, time to try something new. My pdoc said it might help with my anxiety a bit as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted April 26, 2012 Author Share Posted April 26, 2012 Hi everyone, I'm the person who started this thread. My doctor has me going down on Paxil while going up Zoloft. I was originally on 40 mg of Paxil. Right now I'm at 10 mg Paxil and 150 mg Zoloft. I am sooo very anxious, horribly. Do you know think its because of the Paxil withdrawal? And Zoloft hasn't kicked in yet? Please help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 My husband was crazy anxious when he came off of Paxil, plus he lost his temper easily. He doesn't even like to talk about it. This was just when I met him, so I wasn't present for much of it, except the anxiety. He is on Lexapro now, and hasn't noticed side effects. But there was a several year gap between the paxil and the Lexapro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted April 26, 2012 Author Share Posted April 26, 2012 I'm wondering if the Zoloft should be working by now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share Posted April 27, 2012 Anyone? I'm so anxious and worried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancesintherain Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 If you are at 100mg, the zoloft might not be working yet...it can either take 4 to 6 weeks or 6 to 8. I cant remember which, but it doesnt sound like either have passed. Im 95% sure that is true even if you are doing a cross-taper. You could also be in the crappy middle ground of still experiencing withdrawal symptoms without feeling the benefit of the new one. I am sorry you are not feeling any benefit yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share Posted April 27, 2012 If you are at 100mg, the zoloft might not be working yet...it can either take 4 to 6 weeks or 6 to 8. I cant remember which, but it doesnt sound like either have passed. Im 95% sure that is true even if you are doing a cross-taper. You could also be in the crappy middle ground of still experiencing withdrawal symptoms without feeling the benefit of the new one. I am sorry you are not feeling any benefit yet. Thank you so much for this reply, dancesintherain. You literally made me feel so much better.Oh I'm at 150 mg now and 10 on Paxil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopard Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 Hi everyone, I'm the person who started this thread. My doctor has me going down on Paxil while going up Zoloft. I was originally on 40 mg of Paxil. Right now I'm at 10 mg Paxil and 150 mg Zoloft. I am sooo very anxious, horribly. Do you know think its because of the Paxil withdrawal? And Zoloft hasn't kicked in yet? Please help. Hi Evey ... Zoloft can be a stimulating SSRI for many people. Also, you may not even need 150mg. 200mg is the max, and you have not even finished d/c Paxil yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Hi everyone, I'm the person who started this thread. My doctor has me going down on Paxil while going up Zoloft. I was originally on 40 mg of Paxil. Right now I'm at 10 mg Paxil and 150 mg Zoloft. I am sooo very anxious, horribly. Do you know think its because of the Paxil withdrawal? And Zoloft hasn't kicked in yet? Please help. Hi Evey ... Zoloft can be a stimulating SSRI for many people. Also, you may not even need 150mg. 200mg is the max, and you have not even finished d/c Paxil yet. Do you think my doctor should have waited to up me to 150 mg? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forceof75 Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 wondering how it worked for you ad I'm going through the same thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destiny2483 Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 (edited) Hi All, I am 31 years old, I have been on Paxil for about 15 years. My highest dose is now and it is 50mg. I dont think it is working any more and the Dr. & Therapist think I would benefit from a change. They want to taper me from Paxil in a 5 week period while adding zoloft. So my first week would be 40 mg paxil and 25mg zoloft, second week 30mg paxil 50mg zoloft and it would continue til my paxil was gone and zoloft 100mg. I have severe anxiety and obbsessive worrying thoughts. I have ocd as well. I have never taken another med for my anxiety and I am nervous and anxious just thinking about it, but my quality of life isnt great. I have been in the ER 75 in a 7 month period. I have a 7 year old daughter and want to be able to go out and have fun and enjoy life. Has anyone been where I am and does it sound right to lower a dose of meds and add another. I am scared and need feed back and support. I heard great things of zoloft and then i have heard acouple bad things. Please Help. Thanks Amanda Edited April 4, 2014 by Destiny2483 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts