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How Can I Manage Side Effects Of Sertraline?

Posted on Thu, 21 Apr 2022

Question: I take 100mg of sertraline and am tired of the negative side effects, I cant take it anymore. What is the quickest way I can get off this medication??

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (59 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Doses should be reduced gradually

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Could you please let me know since how long you are taking this 100mg dose?

The best way is to taper this dose over 4-6 weeks.

The dose should be reduced by around 25 mg over every two weeks and should be stopped completely at 6 weeks.

Such a gradual dose reduction will prevent any withdrawal symptoms. You should reduce the doses only after consulting your doctor.

Thanks. Please let me know if you have more doubts.

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

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (31 minutes later)

I've read up on the withdrawal symptoms and am 100% ok dealing with the symptoms to get off this medication. Assuming I quit cold turkey (I know this is not recommended at all) how long will it take to get out of my system?

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This could last for 2-3 weeks.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

If the drug is stopped cold turkey then acute withdrawal will last for at least a week and then mild withdrawal symptoms will be there for about two more weeks.

Restlessness, dizziness, hot flashes, anxiety, trembling, insomnia etc., are commonly seen.

If we go by half life then the drug get cleared in around a week.

Thanks.

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