When starting lexapro how long do the side effects last?

Answer 1

I started on 10 mgs of Lexapro and experienced tolerable but not fun side effects for about a month. After then, I started feeling a lot better. About a year later, my doctor and I decided to try 20 mgs. Again, I experienced tolerable but not fun side effects for about a month (maybe two at most) and then started feeling better. Again, after a year of being on 20 mgs, my doctor and I increased my medication to 30 mgs. This time I only experienced side effects for a couple weeks (one month max) and started feeling better. So, for me, the side effects lasted about a month with each increase in dosage. Hope this helpts, but it could really be different for anyone. If your side effects aren't tolerable for the time being, tell your doctor.

Answer 2

I recently decided to get off of Lexapro. I had NO libido, weight gain which started 3 to 4 months into taking it (about 20 lbs), NO energy at all, and my boyfriend told me I was "robotic". I was very unemotional and not my usual lovey-dovey self. I had been on it for 3 & half yrs (minus 1 yr for my pregnancy). I started taking it every other day for a week & half to wean off. Then I took half a pill every other day. I felt fine until about 3 days after I had taken my final dose. Withdrawal symptoms: SEVERE migraines, which I'm prone to anyway. BUT they were so bad that I left work 3 times over the last 3 weeks. That's unusual for me- I can usually tolerate them better than that. I also had those very annoying brain zaps, nausea, and I felt like there was a very thick fog in my head. I felt like I was floating through my day... clueless and unfocused. I also found myself VERY emotional (I cried twice during one episode of American Idol). LOL! I found the only thing that helped me was sleeping. I would wake up and feel ok in the morning, but by noon I was back to the foggy-headedness and nausea. I recommend avoiding alcohol during your withdrawal. It made my symptoms 10 times worse one night when I had a couple of cocktails. It took me about 3 weeks to get through the withdrawal symptoms. I thought I was going to lose my mind! Now I feel great though. The symptoms are gone, my sex drive is back, and I find myself much more "lovey" with my boyfriend. The severe weepiness has subsided but I at least feel like I CAN cry when I need to release my emotions (something I couldn't do on the Lexapro because the emotions just weren't there)! I feel like a normal human being again! I never realized how much Lexapro changed the true person inside of me. I didn't like it. I was on it originally for my "snippy-ness" which my doctor originally thought was a sign of depression. Now my new doctor thinks I was misdiagnosed all those yrs ago (Greeat!). She is going to put me on a stimulant for Adult ADD (snapping at people due to stress is a common symptom of ADD- something I never knew). For those of you who are having a hard time getting off the Lexapro: PATIENCE! It WILL get better. Everytime you feel awful, just think of the end result. You're almost there... you will get the Lexapro out of your body and these symptoms WILL go away. Don't be tempted to take a small dose of it to help your withdrawal symptoms. You will only set yourself back and it will make for a longer, bumpier ride on the "Withdrawal Express". :) Keep your head up and take some time off of work if you are able to. And lastly, sleep, sleep, sleep! My heart goes out to you......

Answer 3

Everyone's withdrawal period is different, and the amount of time it takes to be fully off the drug depends on many factors. Check out this link for information on the topic: http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/05/07/lexapro-withdrawal-symptoms-how-long-do-they-last/