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Is It Safe To Switch From Effexor To Lexapro?

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Posted on Sat, 6 Sep 2014
Question: My doctor wants to change my med fron Effexor to Lexapro. I am unable to reach him as he is on vacation, but my question is that I have stopped taking Effexor 5 days ago and want to know if I should start taking Lexapro?
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Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes, you should start it now.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Yes, there is no problem in doing so. You could have started lexapro before completely stopping effexor, i.e., the drugs should be switched and not gap is not needed usually.

When we plan to shift a patient from one drug to another, we start reducing one and building the other sulatenously. By doing this- there is no fluctuation in chemicals and the risk of relapse or mood disturbance is negligible.

However, there is no point in taking tension about it, just start lexapro and dont delay further.

Starting dosage of lexapro is generally 5mg and maximum is 20-30mg.

Preffrably get blood tests for serum electrolytes- Na, K, Cl and Mg.

Wish you good health.
Please feel free to ask more quetions for clarification; I will be happy to help you.

Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
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. Manisha Gopal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 947 Questions

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Is It Safe To Switch From Effexor To Lexapro?

Brief Answer: yes, you should start it now. Detailed Answer: Hello, Yes, there is no problem in doing so. You could have started lexapro before completely stopping effexor, i.e., the drugs should be switched and not gap is not needed usually. When we plan to shift a patient from one drug to another, we start reducing one and building the other sulatenously. By doing this- there is no fluctuation in chemicals and the risk of relapse or mood disturbance is negligible. However, there is no point in taking tension about it, just start lexapro and dont delay further. Starting dosage of lexapro is generally 5mg and maximum is 20-30mg. Preffrably get blood tests for serum electrolytes- Na, K, Cl and Mg. Wish you good health. Please feel free to ask more quetions for clarification; I will be happy to help you. Dr. Manisha Gopal MD Neuropsychiatry