How long can you take Lexapro? If this is your first episode of depression, your doctor may prescribe Lexapro for a set period, for example, 6 months to a year. Some people with persistent depression may need to take it for many years. There are no known problems when Lexapro is taken long-term.
Lexapro is usually taken for a period of many years, either until a person feels that they don't need it anymore or until they begin experiencing negative side effects and decide to switch medications. However, ceasing to take Lexapro should not be undertaken lightly—or without clinical oversight.
If you are experiencing your first episode of depression or anxiety, you may take Lexapro for a defined period—such as between six months and one year. For individuals with a chronic mental health condition, it may be necessary to take Lexapro for an extended period (over many years).
Once the Lexapro has started working, your doctor will likely recommend that you stay on it for at least six to 12 months. ⁸ When you do decide to stop taking your Lexapro, make sure to do so on your doctor's advice to properly wean you off the medication.
“If you make a decision to come off Lexapro, make sure you communicate this with your doctor first. Together, you can come up with a safe plan to wean you off the medication.” They'll be able to help you devise an appropriate plan so you can slowly reduce your use and minimize any withdrawal symptoms.
In time, the brain readjusts and people should experience a return to their normal state. If depressive symptoms do arise and gradually worsen, it's best to consult a psychiatrist or doctor, if they don't improve within a few weeks or if they become severe.
People taking Paxil and Effexor often have more intense withdrawal symptoms. These drugs have short half-lives and leave the body faster than drugs with long half-lives. The faster an antidepressant leaves the body, the worse the withdrawal symptoms. This is because of the sudden imbalance of chemicals in the brain.
Take your time. You may be tempted to stop taking antidepressants as soon as your symptoms ease, but depression can return if you quit too soon. Clinicians generally recommend staying on the medication for six to nine months before considering going off antidepressants.
While the medication does not cure anxiety, it works best as part of comprehensive anxiety treatment. Lexapro can be effective at reducing the symptoms of anxiety, and it may be especially helpful for multiple types of anxiety disorder, including: Specific phobias (off-label)
Lexapro weight gain can be a common side effect, but it doesn't impact everyone who takes this medication. Multiple studies conclude that SSRIs like Lexapro can result in weight gain. However, it varies from person to person depending on individual factors such as age, lifestyle habits, diet, and activity level.
Lexapro withdrawal symptoms are most often described as flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, fever, headache, trouble sleeping, and mood swings. The safest way to safely stop taking Lexapro, or any other antidepressant, is to do so under the direct supervision of your doctor.
If you've only been taking the med for a few weeks, you may be able to reduce it in about a month. Someone coming off antidepressants after 10 years, or a higher dose, might have to gradually reduce their dose for several months.
It's usually recommended that a course of antidepressants continues for at least 6 months after you feel better, to prevent your condition recurring when you stop.
Lexapro is generally safe when taken long-term. When taking any long-term medication, problems can pop up in other areas of our health. Lexapro can have side effects like memory problems, weight fluctuations, and bleeding problems that can cause long-term health complications.
While there is no set-in-stone timeline, most people report that after 90 days the most severe of the symptoms tend to decrease. There are, however, some who report that it takes as long as a year for withdrawal symptoms to stop.
The length of time it takes for Lexapro treatment to start working can vary. It's common for some symptoms — like improved energy, sleep, and appetite — to improve within a week or two.
Lexapro reaches peak concentration in the blood about 5 hours after taking it. However, it does not work immediately and needs around 2 weeks to reach steady and consistent concentrations in the blood. This means the timing of the daily dose is unlikely to affect how a person feels.
Talk to your doctor before you stop taking antidepressants. It's important that you do not stop taking antidepressants suddenly. A dose of antidepressants should be slowly reduced, normally over several weeks, and sometimes longer.
Lexapro is an antidepressant prescription drug used to treat depression and anxiety. You may experience side effects such as fatigue, diarrhea, or headaches within the first week or two of taking Lexapro. Talk to your doctor to see if Lexapro is right for you.
Then, when you're taking the lowest possible daily dosage, they may recommend taking a dose every other day instead of every day. (For details about dosage, see the “Lexapro dosage” section above.) If you have withdrawal symptoms when stopping Lexapro, talk with your doctor.