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Can Xanax Be Substituted For Lexapro?

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Posted on Mon, 18 Aug 2014
Question: I ran out of my lexapro 1 day ago, I take 20mg a day. I am starting to feel very upset and paranoid and I am not sure what to do, I have some xanax but I am not sure if that will substitute, I am very nervous and dont know what to do.
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Lexapro is an antidepressant which belongs to SSRI group. This medicines can not and should not be suddenly discontinued as the side effects of discontinuation are really bad.
Xanax is sedative medicine which works much different than Lexapro so it is not a substitute of it. It may help a little with discontinuation symptoms but for sure it wont give complete relief.
So please get Lexapro prescription as soon as possible and take it.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5798 Questions

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Can Xanax Be Substituted For Lexapro?

Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Lexapro is an antidepressant which belongs to SSRI group. This medicines can not and should not be suddenly discontinued as the side effects of discontinuation are really bad. Xanax is sedative medicine which works much different than Lexapro so it is not a substitute of it. It may help a little with discontinuation symptoms but for sure it wont give complete relief. So please get Lexapro prescription as soon as possible and take it. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.