Abruptly stopping the Lexapro can cause antidepressant withdrawal syndrome (aka antidepressant discontinuation syndrome). [2] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source The symptoms are unpleasant and include flu-like symptoms, insomnia, trouble balancing, and sensory issues. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source
Wait until the life situation that caused your depression, anxiety, or underlying condition has resolved or stabilized, or until you have found other forms of support before stopping. Your doctor can help you figure out if your condition has improved. In most cases, it’s best to take your antidepressant for at least 6-9 months before stopping it, although it depends on your reaction to the medication and the condition you’re treating.
Separation Divorce Job loss Moving Illness Grief
It may take more or less time to stop taking Lexapro depending on your circumstances. Everybody reacts differently to a Lexapro taper, so your doctor will need to monitor you closely. Many people have extreme reactions to radical drops in a tapering schedule, like suicidal thoughts. That’s why going slowly is so important. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
The length of your tapering schedule will depend on how long you’ve been taking your medication, as well as the dosage you’re taking. As an example, you may take 20 mg for 5 days, then 15 mg for 5 days, and 10 mg for 10 days. You might finish by slowly moving from 5 mg twice a day to 5 mg once a day. In some cases, your doctor may want to start decreasing your dosage by ½ or ⅓. For example, if you’re currently taking 20 mg doses, then you may take a pill every other day instead. If you have any symptoms of withdrawal, your dosage might increase or you may need to taper slowly. Talk to your doctor if you notice any side effects.
If you have any questions about your tapering schedule, talk to your doctor.
For instance, if you notice a pattern that you’ve experienced headaches for the past 3 days, that might be a withdrawal symptom. However, if you just had a single headache, it may have been caused by something else. If you think something may be a symptom, contact your doctor and ask them for guidance.
Mood changes, such as irritability, fatigue, agitation, insomnia, and/or nightmares. Cardiovascular issues, like increased heart rate or intermittent palpitations. Gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, or food aversion. Sensory confusion, like prickling/tingling sensations, general confusion, paranoia, or anxiety.
Withdrawal symptoms will often appear rapidly, and they’ll be transient. The symptoms may feel nonspecific or vague, and you’re likely to feel “not like yourself. ” Rebound symptoms will resemble your old psychiatric condition, they’ll come on slowly, and they’ll be more persistent. If you used to deal with obsessive thoughts, the obsessive thoughts will likely come on strong and stick around. Consider if your current symptoms include physical as well as emotional symptoms. For example, muscle pain and prickling sensations aren’t usually caused by depression, but they are part of withdrawal. Consult with your doctor for more insight into your unique situation.
You might ask a close friend, “I’m going to be weaning myself off of Lexapro. Can I call you if I need to talk about it?” If you need help, you might ask, “I’m feeling a lot of muscle pain and fatigue right now, so do you think you could load the dishwasher tonight?” or “I’m feeling dizzy and have a headache, so would it be okay if you gave the presentation without me?”
Lay on the couch and watch some movies, bundle up in bed with a good book, or take a long bath and listen to some relaxing tunes.
Go for an evening walk. Jog around your neighborhood. Take a dance class. Work out at the gym. Do an aerobic workout. Swim laps around a pool.
Get a good night’s sleep by following a sleep routine. Meditate for 5-10 minutes daily to calm your mind. Eat a healthy diet of fresh produce and lean protein for good nutrition. Avoid drinking alcohol. Relax by engaging in your hobbies, being creative, or resting. Spend time with loved ones and pets. Use positive self-talk to boost your mood.
Ask your doctor for a referral to a therapist who can help you. Alternatively, look for a therapist online.
Do not take your Lexapro again to relieve symptoms. While it seems logical that your old SSRI would help with withdrawal symptoms from SSRIs, this can actually make your symptoms worse. [19] X Research source
