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Will Zoloft Be Effective When Celexa, Lexapro And Paxil Haven't Helped?
Question: First, I am aware that different people respond differently to antidepressants . I was on Celexa for many yrs. when it quit being effective. I was put on Lexapro for 2 wks. until I could see a psychiatrist. I was taken off the Lexapro and put on Paxil for 6 weeks again with no results. My Dr. put me on 50mg of Zoloft 6 days ago and is taking me off the Paxil with 20mg per day. Is there any hope the Zoloft will take effect soon. Or is there anything else that might boost the meds for faster results? This has been going on for nearly 3 months. Thank You
Brief Answer:
There are other options present to get response of anti-depressant drugs
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Yes, people show response to anti-depressants or SSRIs in different manner. You have taken two antidepressants before and now on Sertraline with not much relief. Celexa, Lexapro (Esctitalopram), Paroxetine and Zoloft (Sertraline) are SSRI drugs and most of individuals start showing effects to SSRIs in about 4-6 weeks but you have not shown much improvement in symptoms.
If an individual fails to improve with SSRIs or show poor response then re-evaluation is advised and following options can be utilised to see good and rapid results-
-First is addition of some supplement drug. I would advise you to get your Vitamin B12, Thyroid hormone levels checked to rule out any co-morbid condition. Low vitamin B12 levels are commonly found in depression with poor response to SSRIs. Similarly HYPOTHYROIDISM is common condition seen in resistant symptoms. Get the tests done to rule out these conditions. To fasten the response I would advise you to start taking supplements of B12 and Omega-3-Fatty Acids along with your drug. These supplements will help to fasten the response.
-If even after addition of supplements symptoms persist and you don't show much response then AUGMENTATION of drugs using some other anti-depressant is option.
Clinicians usually advise to add BUPROPION to the drug therapy. The drug would help to fasten the response of Zoloft.
-Some time substitution of drug with a drug of different class of anti-depressants can prove useful. Drugs like SNRIs as Venlafaxine or Duloxetine or other drugs as Mirtazapine can help to control the symptoms. These drugs are more efficacious than Zoloft and would result in early response.
I hope this helps you. Discuss with your psychiatrist regarding your persistent symptoms and the options I have mentioned and get prescription of drugs accordingly. Please don't be stressed, your symptoms will improve with medicines. Some times individuals show poor response to drugs but with time their symptoms show reduction.
Thanks. If you have more doubts ask again. Take care
There are other options present to get response of anti-depressant drugs
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. Yes, people show response to anti-depressants or SSRIs in different manner. You have taken two antidepressants before and now on Sertraline with not much relief. Celexa, Lexapro (Esctitalopram), Paroxetine and Zoloft (Sertraline) are SSRI drugs and most of individuals start showing effects to SSRIs in about 4-6 weeks but you have not shown much improvement in symptoms.
If an individual fails to improve with SSRIs or show poor response then re-evaluation is advised and following options can be utilised to see good and rapid results-
-First is addition of some supplement drug. I would advise you to get your Vitamin B12, Thyroid hormone levels checked to rule out any co-morbid condition. Low vitamin B12 levels are commonly found in depression with poor response to SSRIs. Similarly HYPOTHYROIDISM is common condition seen in resistant symptoms. Get the tests done to rule out these conditions. To fasten the response I would advise you to start taking supplements of B12 and Omega-3-Fatty Acids along with your drug. These supplements will help to fasten the response.
-If even after addition of supplements symptoms persist and you don't show much response then AUGMENTATION of drugs using some other anti-depressant is option.
Clinicians usually advise to add BUPROPION to the drug therapy. The drug would help to fasten the response of Zoloft.
-Some time substitution of drug with a drug of different class of anti-depressants can prove useful. Drugs like SNRIs as Venlafaxine or Duloxetine or other drugs as Mirtazapine can help to control the symptoms. These drugs are more efficacious than Zoloft and would result in early response.
I hope this helps you. Discuss with your psychiatrist regarding your persistent symptoms and the options I have mentioned and get prescription of drugs accordingly. Please don't be stressed, your symptoms will improve with medicines. Some times individuals show poor response to drugs but with time their symptoms show reduction.
Thanks. If you have more doubts ask again. Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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