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Where to find reliable info on tapering off Lexapro (Escitalopram)?
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Jun 25 12:28pm | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
I am on 10 mg of escitalopram. I don’t feel it has done anything for my depression and anxiety. Has anyone tried to wean off this drug? The only thing that works for me is Lorazepam which I use very sparingly as I know it can be habit forming.
In the meantime I would like to get off the escitalopram. It’s just one more drug I feel I don’t need. I also take 25mg of Elavil for pain with arthritis. I seem to tolerate that well and have taken it for over 20 years.
Thank you
Replies to "I am on 10 mg of escitalopram. I don’t feel it has done anything for my..."
@kathyoung I haven't come off of escitalopram. Years ago I did titrate off of Celexa [citalopram], but I have been back on it now for several years. The titration was done with my doctor's oversight. We made sure it was slowly done. Remember, our bodies get used to a medication, even if it gets to a point where there may not be as beneficial an effect as before.
For my example, I was taking one a day. My schedule was: three days on, one day off, for 2 weeks. Then two days on, one day off for 2 weeks. Then one day on, one day off for 2 weeks. Then one day on, two days off for 2 weeks. Then one day on, three days off for 2 weeks. And finally stop. I kept a close monitoring of how I felt, journaled a lot.
What have you considered doing for your depression and anxiety at this point? It's not easy, I know, to get geared up to work and better ourselves, but in the long run it is so worth it!
Ginger
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@kathyoung - I have never tapered off this particular medication, escitalopram (Lexapro), but I have experienced a rough road during a taper of another mental health medication. These types of medications can be challenging to taper off of.
I really got the best help in my own case by getting a taper schedule from my doctor and then calling his office right away if I felt something was getting "off." He and his staff were very quick to help me out.
I moved your post here so you could join members who were talking about the subject of tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro):
- Where to find reliable info on tapering off Lexapro (Escitalopram)? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-off-lexapro-or-cipralex-escitalopram/
Fellow members in this discussion, such as @merpreb @pankaj @elsa1000 @helenfrances @javedqadir may have some input on what they have researched or personally experienced getting off escitalopram (Lexapro). @gingerw also may have some insights for you.
kathyoung, has your doctor offered you advice on how to taper off this medication? If so, what did he or she suggest to minimize side effects?