Sertraline Discontinuation and Switching Guidelines

Discontinuation and Switching Considerations

• The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends careful attention during sertraline discontinuation to avoid withdrawal symptoms due to its relatively short half-life compared to fluoxetine, in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders, with a strength of evidence level not specified 1, 2
• A minimum washout period of 5-7 days (potentially extending to 2 weeks) is recommended when switching from sertraline to an MAOI, to prevent serotonin syndrome in adult and pediatric patients, based on moderate-strength evidence from clinical guidelines 3
• Twice-daily dosing may be required in youth at low doses due to the shorter half-life of sertraline relative to fluoxetine, in pediatric patients with psychiatric disorders, with a strength of evidence level not specified 1, 4