How do I wean off lexapro 5 mg?

The most effective way to minimize symptoms of withdrawal is to slowly taper off your medication. Tapering involves adjusting your dose by a small amount, gradually decreasing until your body gets used to lower levels of the medication.

How long does it take for 5mg of Lexapro to leave your system?

Article at a Glance: Lexapro is a SSRI medication that can remain in your system for about six days after taking it. The half-life of Lexapro is about 27 to 32 hours, depending on the person. People who take high doses of Lexapro can experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop it suddenly.

Is 5mg enough for Lexapro?

An initial dose of 5 mg is recommended for the first week before increasing the dose to 10 mg daily. The dose may be further increased, up to a maximum of 20 mg daily, dependent on individual patient response. Maximum effectiveness is reached after about 3 months. The treatment lasts several months.

What is 5mg of lexapro used for?

Escitalopram is used to treat depression and anxiety. It works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (serotonin) in the brain. Escitalopram belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).

Can I just stop taking 5mg Lexapro?

If you’re prescribed Lexapro, you should not stop taking it without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Lexapro suddenly may cause a range of withdrawal symptoms that are often referred to as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome.

Can I cut Lexapro 5mg in half?

Taking it with food may help to reduce upset stomach. You can cut or crush the 10-mg and 20-mg tablets. You can’t cut or crush the 5-mg tablets.

Can 5mg of Lexapro cause serotonin syndrome?

It is also a well-tolerated medication, with a side-effect profile comparable to the other SSRIs. While a number of side effects have been seen during escitalopram therapy, such as insomnia, nausea, and increased sweating, there are no reported cases of serotonin syndrome associated with escitalopram therapy to date.

Should I take 5mg or 10mg of Lexapro?

The recommended dose of Lexapro is 10 mg once daily. A flexible-dose trial of Lexapro (10 to 20 mg/day) demonstrated the effectiveness of Lexapro [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. If the dose is increased to 20 mg, this should occur after a minimum of three weeks. The recommended dose of Lexapro is 10 mg once daily.

What are the side effects of coming off of Lexapro?

Features. Side effects of suddenly stopping Lexapro or missing a dose can include any, some or all of the following: headache, irritability, dizziness, problems sleeping, grogginess, sudden feelings of gloom and doom, sweating, a strange burning sensation, tingling in the body and confusion.

What happens when you stop Lexapro suddenly?

Stopping Lexapro abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, nightmares, headache and paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin). Depression is also a part of bipolar illness.

What are symptoms of Lexapro withdrawal?

Common Lexapro withdrawal symptoms include: flu-like symptoms, fatigue, nausea, sleep interruption, dizziness, uncontrollable shaking, sensory alterations, increased anxiety, and headaches.

Is it safe to take Lexapro?

Fortunately, Lexapro ( escitalopram ) is safe to take with most nasal decongestants and there is likely a safe and effective option for you to use. You are likely to get the most benefit from Sudafed ( pseudoephedrine ). Sudafed is safe to take with Lexapro as there is no drug interaction between the two medications.