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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Safe To Switch From Zoloft To Celexa?

How do I transition from Zoloft back to Celexa? I used to be on Celexa, 30 mg. I weaned myself off during February & March 2015 because I was going to start trying to get pregnant. I didn t do well off my SSRI, so my doctor started me on Zoloft, 25 mg at the end of May. Two weeks later, I increased to 50 mg. Three weeks after that, I increased to 75 mg. I did two weeks of 100 mg this August, but decided to switch back to Celexa (I loved it, and I m sick of waiting for the right Zoloft dosage. I m probably going to put off pregnancy anyway, and Celexa is probably just as safe for pregnancy as Zoloft on top of that). So I m again 75 mg of Zoloft. How do I get back on Celexa 30 mg? What s the best way to do it? My doctor is out of town, and I cannot find a psychiatrist in my area who isn t booked up, retired, or out of network.
Fri, 25 Sep 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
Celexa is citalopram, which is used to treat depression. It may improve your energy level and feelings of well-being. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This medication works by helping to restore the balance of serotonin in the brain.

Zoloft is sertraline, which is an antidepressant.
It is also a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which works by restoring the balance of serotonin in the brain, which helps to improve certain mood problems.

Both drugs are to be avoided during pregnancy. Zoloft should not be used if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
However, during pregnancy, Celexa should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Also, babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying.

Hence you may slowly taper and switch over to Celexa as necessary. It needs to be advised properly by your treating Physician.

Hope the information provided would be useful.
All the best.
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Is It Safe To Switch From Zoloft To Celexa?

Hi, Thanks for posting in HCM. Celexa is citalopram, which is used to treat depression. It may improve your energy level and feelings of well-being. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This medication works by helping to restore the balance of serotonin in the brain. Zoloft is sertraline, which is an antidepressant. It is also a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which works by restoring the balance of serotonin in the brain, which helps to improve certain mood problems. Both drugs are to be avoided during pregnancy. Zoloft should not be used if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. However, during pregnancy, Celexa should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Also, babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may infrequently develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. Hence you may slowly taper and switch over to Celexa as necessary. It needs to be advised properly by your treating Physician. Hope the information provided would be useful. All the best.