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How Long Does Lexapro Take To Show Effect?

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Posted on Tue, 8 Sep 2015
Question: Hi,
I am on Klonopin 3 mg, Lexapro 10 mg, Keppra 1000mg and Solian (amisulpride) 100 mg.
I am on Lexapro 10 mg since one week and i was before during several weeks on Lexapro 5 mg. I am waiting now for antiOCD effect of Lexapro. I've been told here in HCM that it takes 1-2 weeks to Lexapro to show antiOCD effects and 4 weeks to show full effects, but i would like to know if this timetable is the same or it can vary since i was before on Lexapro 5 mg and at the same time i am intermediate metabolizer for cyp2D6 and cyp2c19. I am talking about antiOCD effects and not about antidepressant or antianxiety effects.
Thanks,
XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes at least for 4 weeks you have to wait

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing back.I am pretty much aware about your case.

Significant anti OCD effects of SSRI in general come after at least 4 weeks. And higher dose of SSRI is needed than that of in depression. So even you were on 5 mg lexapro since few weeks it will take about 4 weeks to see anti ocd effects at 10 mg dose.

I also would like to mention that previously lexpro dose of 30 mg (if I am not wrong) has been used in your case. So if at 10 mg you do not feel anti ocd effects no need to worry. Though you are intermediate metabolizer it requires higher dose for anti ocd effects. So you need some what lower dose than people with normal metabolism but not less than 15 mg at least for anti ocd effects.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Chintan Solanki

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Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

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How Long Does Lexapro Take To Show Effect?

Brief Answer: yes at least for 4 weeks you have to wait Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Thanks for writing back.I am pretty much aware about your case. Significant anti OCD effects of SSRI in general come after at least 4 weeks. And higher dose of SSRI is needed than that of in depression. So even you were on 5 mg lexapro since few weeks it will take about 4 weeks to see anti ocd effects at 10 mg dose. I also would like to mention that previously lexpro dose of 30 mg (if I am not wrong) has been used in your case. So if at 10 mg you do not feel anti ocd effects no need to worry. Though you are intermediate metabolizer it requires higher dose for anti ocd effects. So you need some what lower dose than people with normal metabolism but not less than 15 mg at least for anti ocd effects. Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.