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How Long Does Sertraline Take To Be Effective At Treatment?

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Posted on Fri, 29 Dec 2023
Question: At my primary’s instruction, I increased my Sertraline from 50mg to 75mg on March 6. How long should it take for me to see the benefits or increase to 100mg?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Soujanya (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It would take around 4-6 weeks to attain complete benefits.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

It would take around 2 weeks to start the response and around 4-6weeks to attain complete benefits. You can continue the same dose for 2 more weeks and then you can escalate the dose.

Please have a word with your treating doctor regarding this, and follow accordingly.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Soujanya, Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Soujanya (54 minutes later)
Thank you. During those 4-6 weeks until complete effectiveness, can I experience fluctuations - periods of no anxiety AND periods of anxiety?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Soujanya (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
The intensity of anxiety symptoms will be decreased.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Your anxiety may not fluctuate, but the intensity of it will be decreased as the days pass on gradually, it reaches its full effect.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Soujanya, Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Soujanya (4 hours later)
I experienced complete relief of anxiety symptoms on day 8 of the increase from 50mg to 75mg. This lasted until today, day 14, and I’ve had bad anxiety today. I am increasing because I’ve had unpredictable episodes of anxiety that come and go over a period of months. Why am I experiencing anxiety today?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Soujanya (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There might be some unconscious stressor.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

It is clearly evident that 75 mg is working better for you, so that is the reason you have experienced complete relief.

I can understand that the current episode of anxiety could be due to some unconscious stressor or some disturbance of thought.
Please try to find out that.

Another possibility could be paradoxical anxiety in the initial stages of antidepressant treatment.

If that is the case, it will get subsided on its own.
So, nothing to worry.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Soujanya, Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Soujanya

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 709 Questions

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How Long Does Sertraline Take To Be Effective At Treatment?

Brief Answer: It would take around 4-6 weeks to attain complete benefits. Detailed Answer: Hello, It would take around 2 weeks to start the response and around 4-6weeks to attain complete benefits. You can continue the same dose for 2 more weeks and then you can escalate the dose. Please have a word with your treating doctor regarding this, and follow accordingly. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Soujanya, Psychiatrist