Lexapro Withdrawal: How did you taper successfully?

@mmsm Im so sorry to hear that 🙁 I actually spoke with a pharmasist yesterday and he explained that this is a very common and normal way to taper off so hopefully it wont be tooo bad. Wishing you the best of luck!

@mmsm Here's the most recent study:

For someone who has taken Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg for 5 years, a taper of 5 mg for 7 days, then stop is often too fast and not considered best practice for many people.

Why this matters:

Lexapro is an SSRI with effects on brain serotonin receptors that adapt over time. After long-term use, stopping too quickly can trigger SSRI discontinuation syndrome, which is common, not rare.

Symptoms may include:

Anxiety, agitation, or panic.

Dizziness or “brain zaps”.

Palpitations.

Insomnia.

Flu-like symptoms.

Mood swings or depression relapse.

These symptoms can appear within days of stopping and are often mistaken for “anxiety returning” or heart issues.

Is 5 mg for 7 days → stop “standard”?

It is sometimes suggested by PCPs.

It is not the approach most psychiatrists or guidelines recommend after years of use.

It carries a higher risk of withdrawal, especially in sensitive individuals or those already experiencing palpitations.

What is generally considered safer:

Many experts recommend:

Slow, gradual tapering, often over weeks to months.

Reductions of 10–25% of the dose every 2–4 weeks.

Slowing further once below 5 mg, where withdrawal risk increases.

A common example (one of many possible approaches):

10 mg → 7.5 mg for several weeks.

7.5 mg → 5 mg for several weeks.

5 mg → 2.5 mg for several weeks.

Then stop.

(Some people go even slower.)

Important nuance in your case:

Since:

You’ve been on Lexapro 5 years>

You’re already experiencing palpitations.

A cardiologist advised stopping.

A slower taper is usually more, not less, heart-friendly because it avoids sudden nervous-system stress.

Key takeaways:

Withdrawal symptoms are real and well-documented*

Fast tapers increase the risk.

If symptoms appear, it does not mean you “need the drug again” — it may mean the taper was too quick.

A psychiatrist (or PCP comfortable with slow tapers) is often better suited to guide this.

Source's:

. Lexapro (escitalopram) FDA prescribing information (official label) — tapering recommended.
The FDA label for Lexapro says:

1. > “A gradual reduction in the dose rather than abrupt cessation is recommended whenever possible.”
📄 Full PDF: https://www.fda.gov/media/135185/download

2. Harvard Health Publishing — Going off antidepressants:
Harvard Medical School explains that slow tapering over weeks to months helps minimize withdrawal symptoms.
It also notes rapid discontinuation (1–7 days) increases risk of relapse vs. gradual taper.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/going-off-antidepressants
3. Cleveland Clinic — Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome
Discusses common withdrawal symptoms and emphasizes that the best way to prevent them is to slowly taper under a provider’s guidance. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25218-antidepressant-discontinuation-syndrome

Research & Clinical Practice Resources:

4. Clinical practice guideline review (PMC)
A systematic review found most major guidelines recommend gradual tapering for antidepressants, and withdrawal symptoms can be common after stopping long-term use.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8841913/
5. SSRI tapering evidence (PubMed). Research shows tapering over months and reducing dose slowly (especially at low doses) leads to fewer withdrawal symptoms than abrupt stopping.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30850328/
Royal College of Psychiatrists — stopping antidepressants
The UK Royal College states if you get withdrawal symptoms, you should slow down the taper — not stop abruptly. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/stopping-antidepressants

Additional Helpful Info:

7. Wikipedia (Escitalopram) — Withdrawal section
Summarizes evidence that abrupt stopping (especially after long-term use) is linked with withdrawal symptoms, and very slow tapering is recommended. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escitalopram

What these sources collectively show:

✔️ SSRIs like Lexapro can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped too fast.
✔️ Slow tapering (weeks to months) is widely recommended by guidelines and experts.
✔️ Abrupt cessation or very rapid taper increases risk of symptoms.

For context, I want to share where my comments are coming from. I’ve spent more than 20 years independently investigating epidemiological data, scientific literature, and peer-reviewed medical research across a wide range of topics. My focus has always been on primary sources—original studies, systematic reviews, and consensus statements—rather than summaries, headlines, or anecdotal reports.

I make a point of cross-checking claims, understanding study design and limitations, and distinguishing between correlation, causation, and hypothesis. When evidence is incomplete or evolving, I try to say so clearly. When strong data exist, I rely on that rather than speculation or opinion.

I’m not here to persuade or argue, but to contribute information that is evidence-based, transparent, and open to correction if better data emerge. Thoughtful discussion grounded in reliable science benefits everyone, and that’s the spirit in which I participate here.

@tommy901 Hi Tommy, I really appreciate all of that wonderful information. I switched from 10 to 5 with (thank goodness) little to no withdrawal, just have a headache, but not too bad. Unfortunately however, my pcp won't prescribe me more pills and the pharmasist strongly suggested not cutting the 5mg in half. SO with that being said I am just hoping and praying I will be okay.

@lorena1egas I realize this is an old chat, but I wanted to say that I have been taking Lexapro for a long time and experienced the tiredness and narcolepsy type effect and found an add-on with my psychiatrist very helpful. First, I took narcolepsy medicine. Later and still, I take Concerta, which not only helps me. Stay alert, but improves my mood as well.

@anonuser19 I was in a very high dose of cymbalta, a similar drug. It was causing dental problems and I stopped cold turkey. I had an “out of body p” sensation for about a week and then I was fine.

If you desire a slow taper and your doc resists keep a diary of symptoms. At the first sign of symptoms, call your doc. If he’s worth his salt, he/she will give you enough pills to perform a slow taper

I have been taking Lexapro (generic), 30 mgs a day for 20 years. I stopped taking it cold turkey about three weeks and have felt absolutely ZERO withdrawal or side effects. Nothing. According to its’ half life, it is completely out of my system. How can I not have any side effects? Will something bad suddenly begin months from now? Excitedly optimistic!

@smrdc you have to go much slower in my experience to avoid the terrible side effects. Cutting the pills into smaller and smaller amounts should help. 5 mg at a time is pretty high. Always check with your doctor. A site called Survivingantidepressants.org suggested a decrease of like 10% each day I believe. How are things going now?