Switching Antidepressants Charleston SC - 3 Ways Providers Switch | Hope Integrative Medicine
November 6, 2026 · 1:16
How providers switch from Lexapro, Zoloft or Prozac to another antidepressant, when a cross-taper or washout is needed, and the warning signs to know.
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Transcript
Switching antidepressants safely: direct switch, cross-taper or washout. Here are three things to know. There are three ways to switch. A direct switch stops one medicine and starts the other the next day, often between similar medicines. A cross-taper lowers the first while raising the second, over one to several weeks. And taper and wait stops the first completely before starting the second. Your prescriber picks the method based on the two medicines. Lexapro to Zoloft is often a direct switch. A cross-taper is most common between different classes, such as an SSRI to Wellbutrin. Taper and wait is required for some combinations, mainly moving to or from an MAOI. Overlapping serotonin medicines can rarely cause serotonin syndrome: agitation, sweating, fever, fast heartbeat, muscle twitching or stiffness, and diarrhea. Get urgent care for these. Dizziness, nausea and brain zaps can appear if the first medicine drops too fast. The new one needs four to eight weeks for its full effect. Read the full article at hopeintegrativemed.com. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first medicine is lowered over one to several weeks while the second is raised. It is the most common approach, especially between different classes, such as an SSRI to bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine or venlafaxine (Effexor XR).
Stopping the first medicine completely and waiting before starting the second is required for some combinations, mainly moving to or from an MAOI.
Fluoxetine (Prozac) stays in the body for weeks. A long wait is needed after it before an MAOI, and extra care is needed when switching from it to other medicines.
