Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 403794

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How long for Lexapro to eliminated from body?

Posted by BRC on October 16, 2004, at 10:16:30

How long does it take for Lexapro to be completly out of the body? And should I tapper my dose down. Or can you just stop taking it.

Thanks,

Brian

Re: How long for Lexapro to eliminated from body? » BRC

Posted by Larry Hoover on October 16, 2004, at 11:22:42

In reply to How long for Lexapro to eliminated from body?, posted by BRC on October 16, 2004, at 10:16:30

> How long does it take for Lexapro to be completly out of the body? And should I tapper my dose down. Or can you just stop taking it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Brian

Really, how long it takes to eliminate Lexapro from your body is less of a concern than how you go about it.

You should always taper the dose when discontinuing any SSRI.

Most discontinuation plans suggest that you drop by no more than 1/4 of the total dose per week. If discontinuation symptoms arise, it may be necessary to reduce that rate. Alternatively, temporarily substituting with an equivalent dose of Prozac might reduce withdrawal symptoms to an acceptable level, as Prozac's half-life is much longer than any other SSRI.

Presuming a similar half-life as that of Celexa, the racemic mixture of which Lexapro is one half, the half-life is, on average, 37 hours.

Lar

Re: How long for Lexapro to eliminated from body? » Larry Hoover

Posted by BRC on October 16, 2004, at 12:03:28

In reply to Re: How long for Lexapro to eliminated from body? » BRC, posted by Larry Hoover on October 16, 2004, at 11:22:42

Thanks for the info.

Re: How long for Lexapro to eliminated from body?

Posted by Keko on October 16, 2004, at 17:27:34

In reply to Re: How long for Lexapro to eliminated from body? » Larry Hoover, posted by BRC on October 16, 2004, at 12:03:28

ALWAYS, Always TAPER down on your meds. NEVER go cold turkey, it's the worst thing you can do to your body. Your body needs time to get acclimated to less SSRI in your system, the same as it took time (4 weeks or more) for your body to adjust to an increase. If you don't taper down slowly (10% of the med per week is one rule) you may suffer withdrawal. It's just not worth it. Good luck!!!

stopping Lexapro

Posted by CrazyCO on October 17, 2004, at 9:14:28

In reply to Re: How long for Lexapro to eliminated from body?, posted by Keko on October 16, 2004, at 17:27:34

I stopped Lexapro 40 mg a day without tapering off, but I started Cymbalta the following day, so I don't know if that made a difference or not

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