Effexor to Zoloft Switch

Posted by edse @edse, Sep 12, 2024

Hi ,
I’ve been on Effexor for 15 years with good results ( lowered anxiety levels immensely) until this summer.
My Dr suggested switching ( cross taper) from Effexor to Zoloft over a 4-5 week period.
I’m on week two and feeling terrible- anxiety, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, low mood.
Having an overall tough time.
Have you experienced this? Any suggestions or advice?
Thank you!

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susanh824 | @susanh824 | Sep 13, 2024

I've never tried switching from Effexor to another medicine, but I have done a taper from Effexor, which was supervised by a consulting pharmacist. In my opinion, I think you are trying to make the switch too quickly. There are definitely side effects associated with tapering or quitting Effexor. Perhaps you should ask your doctor to make the switchover at a slower rate. Good luck!

reginald56 | @reginald56 | Sep 14, 2024

Out of curiosity why did he choose Zoloft. I have done a 8 month slow taper on Effexor but am now feeling like I need to be on something else.

edse | @edse | Sep 14, 2024

I don’t know why she suggested Zoloft….
I found the tapering of Effexor was awful so she then suggested staying on Effexor and a small dose of Zoloft to augment it.
But my pharmacist didn’t agree with that- she is suggesting Effexor and augment with pregabalin.

tinavlag | @tinavlag | Jan 11 1:00pm

Is Effexor or Zoloft better for Panick?

| @hopeseeker22 | Jan 12 2:01pm

Warm milk.

whatchamacallit213 | @whatchamacallit213 | Feb 16 11:46am

Can you take half a pill at a time when you are switching medication?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 16 2:34pm

In reply to @whatchamacallit213 "Can you take half a pill at a time when you are switching medication?" + (show)

@whatchamacallit213, you are asking a good question that deserves an answer from a medical professional, like your prescribing doctor. Fellow patients on here in this support group cannot give medication advice, only share their experiences.

Are you switching from Effexor to Zoloft?

skg1950 | @skg1950 | Apr 20 1:09pm

I was on celexa for many many years and then last year I switched to bupropion which was not really good and then a few weeks ago I started Zoloft and I still feel a lot of anxiety and some depression and I think it affects my sleep. I will be talking to my doctor very soon about going back to celexa or increasing Zoloft.

maryjjeandennis | @maryjjeandennis | Apr 22 10:13am

In reply to @skg1950 "I was on celexa for many many years and then last year I switched to bupropion..." + (show)

@skg1950 I would return to the antidepressant that worked for you. I was in Lexapro many years and tried several other meds that did not work. I decided to return the Lexapro at a much lower does. I’m glad I did.
GOODLUCK
Mjdennis

logie | @logie | Apr 23 7:13am

Hey, I was on Lexapro for three years but was switched to Zoloft to see if it would be a better match. It was NOT. It gave me panic attacks whenever I tried to exercise regularly. I plan on switching back to Lexapro when I go see the doctor. I'm not a doctor, but it's best to choose what feels right and safe for you. Good luck.