Anxiety - Starting sertraline slowly? Advice please?

I started on 12.5mg for a few days & didn’t feel anything at all, I then increased it to 25mg and felt better within 2 weeks. No side effects at all just a bit tired & some restless sleep for a few weeks. Nothing terrible. For most people 25mg isn’t considered a therapeutic dose, I then increased to 37.5mg and was a exhausted zombie. So my pdoc decreased me back down to 25mg. I’d say it’s helped my depression 70%. I’ve tried numerous meds that did absolutely nothing. I’ve been on this dose for 8 months now. For many people the drug gives them energy or at least doesn’t knock them out or the tiredness usually goes away in a few weeks, other side effects usually go away after a few weeks also. I’m not one of those people, I’d increase my dose if I could stay awake! We never know how a med will affect us unfortunately until we try it... best of luck, if you’d feel better trying 1/4 tab for a few days I don’t see any harm in that.

Hello Chelsea

I understand your concern. However, I think your Doctor is right to ask you to start with 25 mg. If it is too much you can always try starting again at 12.5 mg (though it may be difficult to break a 50 mg pill into quarters). Be aware that some people dose as high as 200 mg per day with sertraline and that the starting "therapeutic" dose is considered to be 50 mg. But at the end of the day only you know what you're comfortable with.

Take care for now and all the best.