Mon15: Tapering sertraline

[Mon15]

Hi, I've been on sertraline, 50mg  since April 2024. I want to come off it. I started taking 50mg one day  and then 25mg the next day 2 weeks ago to start weaning off it. I felt ok but I noticed 2 days ago my mood was a bit down. I have an appointment with a doctor in 2 weeks time as they didn;t have any earlier ones but I don;t know if I should go back to 50 mg until then or just stick to what I'm doing. I've only found this site today and read about reducing the dose by 10% every months. Can someone please advise me what to do?  

Thank you 

Edited September 20 by Emonda
Name to title

[Emonda]

Welcome @Mon15

 

21 hours ago, Mon15 said:

I started taking 50mg one day  and then 25mg the next day 2 weeks ago to start weaning off it.

 

21 hours ago, Mon15 said:

but I noticed 2 days ago my mood was a bit down.

 

Alternating doses is not recommended. You need to take the same dose each and every day at the same time.

 

So, 50mg one day, 25mg the next. That averages out at 37.5mg per day. You may consider settling at 37.5mg and holding there for stability. Think in terms of months, not days or weeks of holding.

 

Once you have been stable for months, then, consider the maximum 10% taper.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage? The reductions should get smaller and smaller each month, for example: 10mg, 9mg, 8.1mg, 7.3mg etc. This process involves a degree of trial and error, as there is no way of predicting how an individual will respond. Importantly, if you develop unpleasant side effects from tapering, halt the taper, give yourself time to settle, and once stable, taper more slowly and by smaller amounts moving forward. The experience of others suggests that the lower you go in dose, the slower you need to go with tapering.

Those that taper too quickly often develop very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. This Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) is a helpful summary of what many experience.

We don't suggest many supplements, but two that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. Add one at a time and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

Avoid alcohol.

Don't change the manufacturer of your AD.

Once again, welcome to S.A.

I hope this helps, Emonda

[Mon15]

Thank you for your reply and advice!