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How to Gradually Go Off Lexapro

According to the official Lexapro website, Lexapro is intended to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. For adolescents ages 12 to 17, it is only used to treat MDD. It works by increasing the available supply of serotonin in the brain, which is believed to influence a persons' mood. It is available by prescription only and to this date has been prescribed to over 18 million patients in the United States.

Things You'll Need

  • Patience
  • Support
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Instructions

  1. Coming Off of Lexapro

    • 1

      When you have decided that you feel it is the appropriate time to stop taking Lexapro, contact your prescribing physician to map out a certain plan that is right for you. Your physician will slowly lower your daily dosage of Lexapro to allow the brain to learn how to produce the appropriate amount of serotonin on its own.

    • 2

      Do not try to come off of Lexapro by deciding simply to not take it anymore. This will cause many negative withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, dizziness, and a feeling in your head that feels like a slight electric shock. Your brain needs time to adjust to lower levels of serotonin, and quitting Lexapro cold turkey may cause you to go into a relapse and have to start the process all over again.

    • 3

      When tapering off of Lexapro, it is important that you consume a lot of water. Drinking water helps to quickly flush toxins out of your body, which will lead to shortening the length of time you may experience some of the negative side effects. Just as such, you will want to try and cut down on your caffeine intake, as caffeine can alter your mood, which may cause an interruption while you are trying to come off of Lexapro.

    • 4

      Take your dosage of Lexapro at the same time every day, even when the dosage gets lower and lower. Also, do not forget to take your dosage every day, as this will only agitate the tapering process.

    • 5

      Take a daily multi-vitamin. This will help with some of the side effects you may experience, as vitamins have been known to help with anxiety and insomnia. Taking a daily multi-vitamin will also give you more energy throughout the day, which, in itself, can lead to people that are suffering from depression, to feel much better about themselves.

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