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What are the side effects of stopping Lexapro after 2 weeks of taking it?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Irritability, shakes, heart palpitations and the reoccurence of symptoms you were having before taking the Lexapro. In order to stop taking an anti-depressant you need to gradually step down your dosage.
Answerlexapro withdrawl is no joke. I wish I had been informed of it before I started taking it. I became incredably disoriented, had vision problems (flutters), breathing problems, even stepping down my dosage did not help. It is scary and It took me almost 3 weeks before I stoped feeling these effects. AnswerThe biggest mistake many can make is coming off the drug (or any drug) on their own. They feel because it's not addictive they can do so, but it's important that one works well with their doctor to decrease the dose very slowly. Your brain has been use to this drug altering brain chemistry!I stared taking of Lexapro about 2.5 years ago for "circumstantial" depression. I was also attending psycho-therapy sessions monthly, but when the symptoms of depression got very hard, i.e suicidal thoughts constantly, I increased these sessions to weekly.
The therapy helped me more than Lexapro ever could have. Now, with help from the Therapist, I've worked out what my demons are and am able to recognise their triggers.
AnswerI stopped taking Lexapro (cold turkey) over 2 weeks ago. Initially I stopped accidentally. I started a new job that changed my daily routine. At day 5 of not taking Lexapro, I decided to continue cold-turkey as I hadn't experienced any recognisable symptoms of withdrawal. However, within a few days the symptoms began in earnest and continue still. My symptoms were as follows:-- General malaise
- Chronic lethargy
- Crying spelll (just once thank God!)
- Dizziness accompanied with "electic brain zaps". (By far, the most persistant symptom for me)
- Irritability and unreasonable aggression
- Slight diarrhea
Like most people have stated, going off a potent drug like Lexapro cold turkey is not a good idea. I wouldn't do it again. My therapist recommended weaning off very slowly over a period of time that is half the amount of time that you've been taking the drug. So, if you've been taking Lexapro for 2 years, then you should decrease slowly to 0mgs over a 1 year period. My GP on the other hand, suggested weaning off over just a 2 month period!
I've been off Lexapro now for just over 2 weeks and the good news is that the symptoms, while not yet disappeared, have lessened significantly. So, in total disregard to the advise of my very helpful Therapist, I will continue fighting the withdrawals cold turkey ONLY because I want to try for a baby over the next few months.
I certainly would't recommend going Cold Turkey to anyone else.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoLexapro is classified as a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor and Antidepressant.
Simply stated Lexapro interacts with chemical messengers that control the brain.
Side effects can vary from one person to the next, are unpleasant and can cause harm.
DO NOT stop taking Lexapro or any other medication without first consulting a doctor.
Discontinuing medications without consulting a doctor is quite common and often results in recurrence of the symptoms that were intended to be treated by the prescribed medication.
Example: Your doctor prescribed Lexapro for depression and anxiety. You feel much better now and think you can live without taking the medication. You stop taking the medication and suddenly all the symptoms you experienced prior to taking Lexapro return 10 times worse that before.
Again, DO NOT stop taking Lexapro or any other medication without first consulting a doctor. If you elect to discontinue the medication your doctor will be able to inform you of the risks and adverse effects relative to your specific case ... not your friend's case or someone who decided to post their experience on Wiki.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoLexapro is an serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is prescribed to treat anxiety and depression. Abruptly halting this medication without tapering off under a doctor's instruction can result in mild to severe withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sensory disturbances, increased anxiety/depression, headaches, episodes of shaking/trembling, fatigue, sleep disruptions, dizziness, and other flu-like symptoms. It is said that these effects can last upwards of a month after discontinuation of the medication.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agocheck out here for other people's experiences and advice, might help, good luck!
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How long doesit usually take for the lexapro too take effect after taking the first pill hours or minutes?
Lexapro demonstrates therapeutic effects after 1-2 weeks.
What the symptom if you quite taking laxapro after 7 years?
Symptoms can vary but for most people, Lexapro is fairly easy to stop taking. Talk to your doctor about tapering off the medication and you should be totally done within a month, maybe as short as 2 weeks. Many people experience only minor side-effects from discontinuing use of Lexapro but talk to your doctor or a pharmacist and make sure to taper off as stopping immediately can cause some side effects.
You stopped taking lexapro 2 weeks ago and am starting to get side effects now is this normal?
I have everyday, bad migraine headaches. Facial pain, neck pain too. I wonder if it is the Lexapro 30 mg I was taking for 5 years, then switching to Cymbalta 20 mg for 2 weeks. Is this normal, to still have headaches?
Can you mix ecstasy with Lexapro if you do not take Lexapro dose that day?
No you can't... both lexapro and ecstasy are dealing with the same material in your brain - seratonin. ecstasy brings it levels very high, while lexapro keeps it in a controlled level, so the ecstasy just won't work. not taking lexapro that day is meaningless, as the drug is not effective the same day, it keeps a certain level in your blood (which is why it takes 2 weeks after starting taking lexapro to really feel the effects)
Does Lexapro cause diarrhea?
yes, lexapro can cause many abdominal symptoms: diarrhea, constipation, gas, general discomfort, etc. these are initial side effects and usually subside after about 2-6 weeks. and F.Y.I. I personally have experienced these side effects now that I am tapering off.
How does Lexapro affect thyroid?
I take synthroid for hypothyroidism. I stopped taking 20 mg lexapro suddenly about 5 weeks ago and am now having many symptoms of hypothyroidism even though i am still taking my synthroid as usual. Any correlation?
Does Lexapro cause aggressive behaviors?
I've started taking Lexapro 3 weeks ago and have noticed a dramatic rise in aggressive behaviour from myself. My family have noticed it also. Normally I am a very relaxed and easy going person.
What are the side effects of taking geritol?
I have been taking geritola for 3 weeks and i notice that i have bloating in my stomach.
Are there any successes on weaning off antidepressants without side effects?
I stoped taking lexapro after 2 years of 10 mil dose it was about 2 weeks of feeling like I had a hang over before my head cleared up the first 5 days were the worst
What are the symptoms of stopping the pill after finding out you are 6 weeks pregnant?
Little to none. Many women are taking birth control when they find out they are pregnant and then stop taking it.
What should you do after taking lexapro 10mg and have constant headache?
When I started taking Lexapro I had a constant headache. My doctor told me that was a 'normal' side effect of the drug and it would subside in a few weeks. For me it took about a month to be headache free. To me it was worth it because I chose the headache over the constant sadness. I also suffer from migraines and the Lexapro headache was not debilitating like migraines so I stuck it out and the headache went away. The headache returned after I increased the dosage to 20mg and it took about 3 weeks to adjust.
Is it unsafe or just uncomfortable to stop taking Lexapro?
Lexapro is an antidepressant used to treat Bipolar, and Major depression disorders. This is one of many medication that can take at least 30 days of taking the medication for it to be able to take full effect. But, yes if you have been on Lexapro for longer than 3 weeks then it could be unsafe. Depending on what the medication is used for the reactions could cause the disorder to become worse than before the medication.
