Lexapro Withdrawal: How did you taper successfully?

Posted by brodeed @brodeed, Apr 30, 2023

I tried Lexapro for 4 weeks and I couldn’t handle the side effects anymore. Now I’ve been off for 8 days and I’ve been having issues with withdrawals since last night. Should I go back on at a lower amount and taper off or stay off and go through the withdrawals?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Always check with your pharmacist AND dr and SLOWY taper each week you drop IF having symptoms you might have to stay on that mg another week it could take 2-3 months easily to drop down

REPLY

What side effects did you have taking Lexapro 5mg?

REPLY

I had a lot of side effects. Diarrhea, constipation for two days, insomnia, but also tired all the time, sweating, dry mouth, made me have to urinate alot, mood swings a few times, made my anxiety terrible and I was nauseous most of the time. These side effects did lessen after two weeks but after the last day I took them I couldn’t handle the night time anxiety I would get.

REPLY

I use lexapro for a month, headache every day, I was using 5 mg so the doctor told just stop it because it’s a very low dose , so it the depends on the dose .

REPLY
@ainigriv99

I use lexapro for a month, headache every day, I was using 5 mg so the doctor told just stop it because it’s a very low dose , so it the depends on the dose .

Jump to this post

Has anyone experienced sleep loss due to taking Lexapro? I take a 3 mg melatonin. B4 bed.
I am on 10 mg taken daily at 8 am. How about High BP? Sometimes I notice a little lack of focus when we watch a movie. You thoughts?

REPLY
@adelheid61

Has anyone experienced sleep loss due to taking Lexapro? I take a 3 mg melatonin. B4 bed.
I am on 10 mg taken daily at 8 am. How about High BP? Sometimes I notice a little lack of focus when we watch a movie. You thoughts?

Jump to this post

I have taken Lexapro for years. I have sleep issues anyway so never have it a thought it might be worse due to drug plus tired all the time. Will certainly talk to Doc on Fri. And share what he says.

REPLY

I’m trying to wean down to 15 mg of Lexapro from 20 mg of Lexapro after taking first Citalopram, then Escitalopram (Lexapro)) for 20 years. I’m currently taking 20 mg one day then 15 mg the next day for a slow taper. However, I’m nauseated & losing weight. Can anyone suggest a better plan? I have been using the plan I described for 2 weeks & feel pretty awful.

REPLY
@adelheid61

Has anyone experienced sleep loss due to taking Lexapro? I take a 3 mg melatonin. B4 bed.
I am on 10 mg taken daily at 8 am. How about High BP? Sometimes I notice a little lack of focus when we watch a movie. You thoughts?

Jump to this post

I found that taking Lexapro at dinner time rather than before bed helped my sleep problems. I also tried taking it at breakfast rather than before bed but I felt drowsy during the day.. Maybe experimenting with the time you take it will help. But be sure to do this gradually…just few hours earlier each day. Everyone is different! I also take Melatonin at bedtime as well as Clonazepam for restless legs.

REPLY
@johnbluffside

Always check with your pharmacist AND dr and SLOWY taper each week you drop IF having symptoms you might have to stay on that mg another week it could take 2-3 months easily to drop down

Jump to this post

How slowly did you taper? My Doctor has suggested 20 mg one day & 15 mg the next which I have been doing for nearly 2 weeks but I’m nauseated & dizzy. I’ve been on this drug for 20 years. I have read the longer you’re on it the harder it is to reduce dosage?

REPLY
@smrdc

I found that taking Lexapro at dinner time rather than before bed helped my sleep problems. I also tried taking it at breakfast rather than before bed but I felt drowsy during the day.. Maybe experimenting with the time you take it will help. But be sure to do this gradually…just few hours earlier each day. Everyone is different! I also take Melatonin at bedtime as well as Clonazepam for restless legs.

Jump to this post

Thanks for your reply. We are actually moving across coasts in about 3 weeks so I will probably continue the Lexapro 10 mg in the am (along with my Rampiril 10 mg for blood pressure), and stop taking Melatonin 3 mg before bedtime as we will have our doggie with us and I will need to get up early with hubby to complete our 4 day travel successfully I would like to taper off the Lexapro completely as I have never taken this stuff b4. I will wait till we get to the other end before doing so though. Have you done any therapy alongside taking Lexapro? What mg Lexapro are you currently taking?
Thanks for sharing & caring.
Adel 😊
Ps. My Xyla (enclosed)

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.