Posted by Cam W. on May 27, 2001, at 0:11:46
In reply to Cam, hard time switching from Paxil to Zoloft, posted by Jackster on May 26, 2001, at 18:19:34
Jackster - Many people switch directly from Paxil™ (paroxetine) to Zoloft™ (sertraline), but even though the two drugs are SSRIs, they have different secondary receptor binding profiles.
I do not believe what is happening to you is Paxil withdrawl. You are still getting a serotonergic effect from the Zoloft. More likely you are experiencing start-up side effects (eg increase anxiety and panic attacks) that are common at the initiation of an SSRI. These panic attacks should subside within a week or so. The Zoloft is a more activating drug than Paxil and this could be contributing to the increased panic attacks at the initiation of Zoloft therapy.
Ask your doctor, you may need to increase your dose of a benzodiazepine (Xanax) for a week or so, to try to decrease the number and severity of these attacks.
Good luck and keep us posted. - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:64364
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64391.html