Revealed on: 22 Could 2023
Lexapro (Escitalopram) is an antidepressant remedy indicated to deal with psychological well being situations like main depressive dysfunction (MDD) and generalized anxiousness dysfunction (GAD). The drug can be generally used off-label to deal with varied different situations, together with obsessive compulsive dysfunction (OCD), panic dysfunction, and post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD), to call a couple of. Lexapro is in a category of medication generally known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which enhance serotonin ranges within the mind.
Analysis exhibits us that Lexapro might be extremely efficient, however warning is important if you cease taking it. Stopping Lexapro too shortly may end up in extreme withdrawal signs. Any time you cease taking a drug, it may be a major shift in your physique. Realizing what to anticipate may help.
Preserve studying to be taught extra about Lexapro withdrawal unwanted side effects so you’ll be able to cease taking this drug safely.
Can Lexapro Be Stopped Chilly Turkey?
To place it bluntly, you shouldn’t cease taking Lexapro chilly turkey. Stopping antidepressants or any main drug “chilly turkey” () or with out the steering of a physician is all the time strongly discouraged.
Any time you cease taking remedy all of the sudden, it may be harmful. Not correctly weaning off a drug may end up in extreme withdrawal signs and different well being problems. Moreover, some individuals who give up chilly turkey expertise signs for for much longer.
It’s best to all the time discuss along with your healthcare supplier earlier than trying to vary your remedy routine.
“It’s best to by no means cease taking Lexapro chilly turkey. Probably the most environment friendly technique for minimizing withdrawal signs is to steadily taper off your remedy. Tapering is the method of steadily decreasing your dosage till your physique adjusts to decrease ranges of a medicine. To keep away from extreme signs, your physician can set up a dose schedule and intently monitor the method.”
Withdrawal Signs of Lexapro
When coming off any SSRI remedy like Lexapro, it’s not unusual to have SSRI withdrawal signs. In truth, some analysis suggests that as much as 20% of people who find themselves on antidepressants expertise what’s generally known as Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome once they discontinue the usage of their remedy.
Abrupt discontinuation signs embrace complications or nausea, emotional signs resembling temper swings or irritability, cognitive points together with issue concentrating or reminiscence issues, and sleep disturbances like insomnia or vivid goals.
Emotional signs
Emotional modifications throughout antidepressant withdrawal signs can vary from delicate to extreme and rely upon elements such because the dosage taken earlier than stopping and the way lengthy you have been on the drug.
Emotional Lexapro withdrawal signs can embrace:
- Anxiousness
- Issue concentrating
- Melancholy
- Temper swings
- Depersonalization
- Suicidal ideas
Bodily signs
Bodily signs related to Lexapro withdrawal may differ in severity. They rely upon elements like physique chemistry, dosage, and size of time taking the drug.
Bodily Lexapro withdrawal signs can embrace:
- Change in urge for food
- Dizziness or confusion
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Nausea or indigestion
- Sweating
- Weight modifications — weight reduction or weight achieve
- Altered notion of sure senses, resembling odor or style
Psychiatry and Prescriptions On-line
Obtain an analysis and prescription for psychological well being remedy (if wanted) from a psychiatry-trained medical supplier.
How Lengthy Does Lexapro Withdrawal Final?
The period of Lexapro withdrawal unwanted side effects can differ from individual to individual. Typically, signs may final between 1 week and several other months after discontinuing use, nevertheless it’s actually essential to notice that everybody’s expertise with Lexapro withdrawal differs. Some will take longer than others to get better totally after they cease taking Lexapro.
When you’re contemplating coming off Lexapro, the hot button is doing so steadily and solely underneath medical supervision. Stopping any sort of drug too shortly may end up in extra intense unwanted side effects. In uncommon instances, withdrawal signs may embrace seizures on account of excessive chemical imbalances throughout the mind attributable to sudden cessation of SSRIs (like Lexapro).
Lexapro withdrawal timeline
As talked about, Lexapro withdrawal can differ.
“The primary indicators of Lexapro withdrawal sometimes seem 1 to three days after your final dose. They will start sooner (inside a couple of hours) or later (over per week). The vast majority of the time, signs go away inside a couple of weeks, however they will last more.”
For most individuals, withdrawal signs will finally disappear totally (generally inside 2 weeks), however they might final for as much as 6 – 8 weeks (or longer in excessive instances).
When does Lexapro withdrawal peak?
Whereas the depth ranges, Lexapro withdrawal signs are inclined to peak round day 5.
The way to Address a Lexapro Withdrawal
Lexapro withdrawal might be tough, which is why it’s so essential to grasp the potential unwanted side effects of coming off the drug so you’ll be able to learn to cope. One of the simplest ways to reduce Lexapro withdrawal is to steadily scale back your dosage over time. This helps restrict potential unwanted side effects and permits your physique to regulate slowly.
Search assist from a psychological well being skilled instantly when you expertise any intense withdrawal signs as you taper off from taking the drug. A health care provider or therapist can present recommendation on how finest to handle your signs and make sure you’re supported all through the method.
How Do I Safely Come Off Lexapro?
“If you decide to come back off Lexapro, be sure to talk this along with your physician first. Collectively, you’ll be able to give you a secure plan to wean you off the remedy.”
They’ll have the ability that will help you devise an applicable plan so you’ll be able to slowly scale back your use and reduce any withdrawal signs.
Your physician will even be capable to provide you with tips about managing unwanted side effects of Lexapro so that you’re much less uncomfortable and have minimal disruption to your day by day actions. That is the one method to make sure most security all through the whole course of.
Speak with a Licensed Psychiatrist
Coming off Lexapro — or any psychiatrist prescribed remedy — can really feel scary, however understanding the potential dangers and signs related to withdrawal will assist. Merely put, speaking to a psychiatrist or physician is a should earlier than you make any remedy routine modifications.
Are you able to cease taking your antidepressant however scared you’ll wrestle with tough signs of Lexapro withdrawal? You don’t should undergo this alone. On-line remedy with Talkspace can give you reasonably priced, handy, customized assist and steering that will help you handle your situation and get your remedy underneath management. When you’re fascinated with making an attempt a unique remedy, discuss to your physician about options like Celexa or Zoloft. They will stroll you thru the variations in Celexa vs. Lexapro.
Get began at present, and begin feeling higher tomorrow.
Sources:
- DailyMed – LEXAPRO- escitalopram pill, movie coated LEXAPRO- escitalopram resolution. U.S. Nationwide Library of Drugs. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=13bb8267-1cab-43e5-acae-55a4d957630a. Accessed February 6, 2023.
- Warner CH, Bobo W, Warner C, Reid S, Rachal J. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Am Fam Doctor. 2006;74(3):449-456. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16913164/. Accessed February 6, 2023.
Talkspace articles are written by skilled psychological health-wellness contributors; they’re grounded in scientific analysis and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our group of medical specialists (therapists and psychiatrists of assorted specialties) to make sure content material is correct and on par with present trade requirements.
Our aim at Talkspace is to supply probably the most up-to-date, beneficial, and goal info on psychological health-related matters with a purpose to assist readers make knowledgeable selections.
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