Mental Health How do I switch SSRIs? Risk for serotonin syndrome?

[NormanJones]

I was on 20mg of lexapro then I slowly cut back the dose to 15mg and now 10mg of lexapro. I also have 50mg pills of zoloft which I plan to start taking at 25mg since I cut them in half, when should I start taking them? I did not take any lexapro or zoloft today. Is it safe for me to take 25mg of zoloft tomorrow?

Do I have to taper down to 5mg of lexapro or can I just start taking the 25mg of zoloft? Am I at risk for serotonin syndrome? Does decreasing SSRIs and starting a new one put you at risk for Serotonin Syndrome?

I am asking all of this because my doctor told me to just go from the 20mg of lexapro to the 50mg of zoloft. But when I had the prescription filled the pharmacist told me to slowly cut back on the old medication (lexapro) and then start the new medication (zoloft).

http://wiki.psychiatrienet.nl/index.php/Escitalopram-sertraline

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin_syndrome

 

[T. Calderone]

My doctor switched me a few times - starting with citalopram which seemed to lose its effectiveness. So she put me on Zoloft and it made me nauseous. Then started on Lexapro and I didn't have any trouble with the transition. I know your situation is kind of opposite. I'm late to this but did you start the Zoloft yet?

 

[sadasaulna]

I wouldn't advise taking both drugs if that's what you mean, just do what the doc tells ya.

SS is overblown in many cases, although I have experienced what I think was mild SS from taking too much 5-HTP before and its not fun.