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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Lexapro

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Posted on Tue, 20 Oct 2015
Question: I have been on 10mg Lexapro for 10 yrs. want to get off it. i have taken 1 pill every other day for 2 wks. now i am on my 3rd day without taken any. am i setting my self up for withdrawl symptoms as i have read that anyone coming off this drug has them some much stronger than others.
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Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
less chances of withdrawal symptoms now.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.

Lexapro can cause withdrawal symptoms.

You have taken 10mg every other day for two weeks. You have not taken the drug since three days. Have you experienced any withdrawal symptoms till now?

If not, then chances of getting withdrawal symptoms decrease with time. Every individual reacts differently to drugs.

However, to be on safer side, i would suggest you to now take lexapro after every two days for another two weekd. You can gradually increase the drug free interval.
This is one strategy of withdrawing from drug.

You can stop the drug when you feel that there is no relapse of depressive symptoms or no withdrawal symptoms.
This is a subjective observation.

Keep in touch with your doctor.

Hope this helps.
Take care.
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. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2144 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Lexapro

Brief Answer: less chances of withdrawal symptoms now. Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to HCM. I can understand your concerns. Lexapro can cause withdrawal symptoms. You have taken 10mg every other day for two weeks. You have not taken the drug since three days. Have you experienced any withdrawal symptoms till now? If not, then chances of getting withdrawal symptoms decrease with time. Every individual reacts differently to drugs. However, to be on safer side, i would suggest you to now take lexapro after every two days for another two weekd. You can gradually increase the drug free interval. This is one strategy of withdrawing from drug. You can stop the drug when you feel that there is no relapse of depressive symptoms or no withdrawal symptoms. This is a subjective observation. Keep in touch with your doctor. Hope this helps. Take care.