Lexapro Detox Side Effects, Lexapro Withdrawal Symptoms, & Treatment

Lexapro Withdrawal Symptoms

Lexapro withdrawal symptoms include nausea, dizziness, irritability, trouble sleeping, and flu-like symptoms. It is important to tell your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms after stopping Lexapro. You may need to taper off Lexapro to reduce the risk of withdrawal slowly. Your doctor will be able to guide you through this process.

It’s important to note that the severity of withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro can vary significantly from person to person. Some may experience no withdrawal symptoms, while others may react more intensely. If you are concerned about possible withdrawal symptoms due to stopping Lexapro, it is crucial to speak with your doctor. They will be able to help you determine the best way to stop taking Lexapro to minimize the risk of withdrawal. Additionally, there are several ways to help reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms, such as slowly tapering off the medication, taking shorter durations between doses, and using lower doses.

Lexapro Withdrawal Warning

Most people take Lexapro for several years, either until they feel they no longer require it or until they start to experience Lexapro withdrawal side effects and opt to switch prescriptions.

However, stopping Lexapro use should not be done carelessly or without medical supervision. Severe withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro may occur, especially if you try to stop taking it suddenly. Instead, the dosage should be gradually reduced over time while supervised by medical experts who can assist in preventing or lessening any withdrawal symptoms. Clinical oversight is especially beneficial in the rare instance of a complication because knowledge is essential for spotting and solving possible issues before they become life-threatening. It would be best to discuss any worries you have with your doctor before quitting Lexapro.

Lexapro Detox Withdrawal

Some people who take Escitalopram (Lexapro) and feel better may assume they no longer need the prescription drug and stop taking it. Do people abuse Lexapro? Or can Lexapro be abused? Quitting Lexapro abruptly is unwise because the drug has an essential relationship with serotonin, the neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and blood platelets associated with depression. As a result, when drugs like Lexapro that affect serotonin levels in the brain are suddenly stopped, you may experience severe physical and emotional symptoms. How long till Lexapro is out of your system? Usually, It can take around six days for Lexapro to be eliminated from your body.

Is Lexapro for opiate withdrawal a good idea? And how long do Lexapro withdrawals last? Lexapro detox withdrawal can take a real toll on your life; SSRIs like Lexapro work by increasing serotonin levels in your brain. It takes your brain a while to get used to the drug’s absence when you stop taking them. Unfortunately, the amount of time this takes can vary widely.

How long does withdrawal from Lexapro last? Lexapro detox withdrawal symptoms typically arrive one to three days after your last dose. It can start sooner (within hours) or later (more than a week). Symptoms generally resolve within a few weeks, although they can continue longer.

What Is Lexapro?

Lexapro (Escitalopram) is a medication used to manage and treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It belongs to a class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) [1]. Lexapro takes time to build up in the body. As a result, it can take a few weeks before a person notices its effects on the symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Lexapro is a prevalent antidepressant, possibly one of the most frequently prescribed in the United States. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the symptoms of Lexapro detox withdrawal. In addition to treating depression, this drug is also prescribed for anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. SSRIs have long been associated with withdrawal symptoms. While medical professionals still refer to these symptoms as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, many believe the name minimizes the seriousness of the problem [2].

However, quitting to take Lexapro should be done under clinical supervision. Lexapro detox withdrawal symptoms can be severe, especially if you stop abruptly. Instead, the dosage should be slowly tapered over time and under the recommendation of medical professionals who can help mitigate or prevent any Lexapro detox withdrawal symptoms. Clinical supervision is valuable in the rare case of a complication, as expertise is necessary for identifying and effectively addressing potential problems before they become critical. It would be best to speak with your doctor about any concerns about stopping this medication.

Side Effects Of Lexapro

Pros and cons of Lexapro? SSRIs, including Lexapro, are tolerated well compared to other antidepressants. You may have more withdrawal Lexapro side effects if you take a higher medication dosage. Lexapro is more likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects at a high dosage, such as diarrhea [3].

Lexapro Withdrawal Timeline and Symptom Durations

How long someone has taken the drug and at what dosage are two factors that affect how long Lexapro withdrawal symptoms last. Additionally, withdrawal symptoms may continue longer if you stop taking Lexapro abruptly instead of gradually. As a result, it is impossible to determine with precision how long withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro will continue. On the other hand, the most severe symptoms frequently worsen after 90 or three months, according to many people. Some claim it takes them months or more than a year to recover fully.

How Long Does Dilaudid stay in your System?

Lexapro (escitalopram) is an antidepressant from a group of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It’s commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. But how long does Lexapro stay in your system?

The average half-life of Lexapro is 27 to 32 hours. This means that it takes approximately one and a half days for the drug to be eliminated from your body. However, this can vary depending on age, weight, metabolism, and other factors.

How Long Does 5mg of Dilaudid stay in your System?

Generally, 5mg doses of Lexapro take slightly longer to leave the system than higher doses. On average, it can take 2-3 days for 5mg doses to be eliminated from your body.

It’s important to note that Lexapro can remain in your system longer than expected if you have liver or kidney problems. If you have concerns about how long the drug will stay in your system, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information. They can also advise managing withdrawal symptoms and other side effects as you taper off the medication.

It’s also important to remember that Lexapro can stay in your system for up to four days after you stop taking it. This means that if you are tested for drugs, you can test positive even though you no longer take the medication. If this concerns you, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about how long Lexapro may remain in your system. They will be able to advise you on steps you can take to minimize any risks associated with testing positive.

In summary, Lexapro generally stays in the body for approximately one and a half days (27-32 hours). However, this time frame can vary based on individual factors and dose size; 5mg doses may take slightly longer to be eliminated. If you have concerns about how long Lexapro may remain in your system, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

By knowing how long Lexapro stays in your system, you can better understand its effects on your body and how to manage any withdrawal symptoms that arise after stopping the medication.

How Long Does Lexapro Stay in your System?

Lexapro can stay in your system for up to four days after your last dose. However, the time it takes to eliminate the drug from your system may vary based on age, weight, metabolism, and other medications. Speaking with a healthcare provider to determine the best way to take and discontinue this drug is essential.

Learn More:

• Lexapro and Alcohol
• Lexapro Withdrawal
• Drug Abuse Treatment
• Depression Treatment
• Anxiety Treatment
• Detox Programs
• Strattera and Alcohol
• Lithium and Alcohol
• Seroquel and Alcohol

20%

SSRIs like Lexapro cause discontinuation syndrome in 20% of users.

Source: NIH

13.8%

Antidepressant use grew from 10.6% to 13.8% between 2009-2010 and 2017-2018.

Source: CDC

Common Side Effects

Lexapro’s side effects seem to be the same in men and women. 

Side effects can include:

People with depression tend to have a low appetite and reduced body weight. Lexapro may cause small weight gain in adults [4]. However, if you gain weight, your weight may just be evening out because your depression is better managed and your appetite has returned. Other individuals lose weight when they’re taking Lexapro. The increase in serotonin may lead to a loss of appetite. Most of these side effects are mild. They should ultimately fade on their own without treatment. Tell your physician if they’re more severe or don’t go away.

• Agitation
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real)
• Coma (loss of consciousness)
• Coordination problems, overactive reflexes, or muscle twitching
• Racing heart rate

• High or low blood pressure
• Sweating or fever
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Muscle stiffness

• Headache
• Confusion
• Trouble concentrating
• Thinking or memory problems

• Weakness
• Unsteadiness that can lead to falls
• Seizures

How Long Does Lexapro Stay In Your System?

Every drug has a “half-life,” which is a term used to indicate how long it takes for the medication’s concentration in the body to drop to half of its initial dose. So, how long to get Lexapro out of system? Lexapro’s half-life varies from 27 to 32 hours, depending on the individual. For instance, if a person took 10 mg of Lexapro, the dosage would be halved to 5 mg within 27 to 32 hours, then to 2.5 mg within another 27 to 32 hours.

Lexapro’s half-life will continue to dimish until it is eliminated entirely from a person’s bloodstream. How long for Lexapro to leave your system? It can take up to 160 hours, or around six days, for Lexapro to be eliminated from your body because a drug must pass through five half-lives to be eliminated from your system. In addition, since Lexapro is not a restricted substance, it is rarely detected in urine screening tests.

Can You Get Addicted to Lexapro?

For those who take Lexapro as directed, long-term use may not be of issue. However, even if someone takes the recommended dose daily, they probably still depend on the SSRI. If someone stops taking Lexapro, they will experience withdrawal symptoms regardless of whether they are misusing it or as directed. As a result, doctors gradually taper Lexapro dosage for their patients to minimize adverse effects.

Side Effects Of Stopping Lexapro

Can you get addicted to Lexapro? Side effects of suddenly stopping Lexapro or missing a dose can include any, some, or all of the following: irritability, headache, dizziness, problems sleeping, grogginess, sweating, sudden feelings of gloom and doom, a strange burning sensation, tingling in the body and confusion. It’s never a good idea to stop your medication abruptly. Stopping Lexapro may cause some withdrawal symptoms. If withdrawal from Lexapro develops, they usually begin within three days of abruptly stopping Lexapro. The symptoms are generally mild and resolve without treatment in one to two weeks.

Can you abuse Lexapro? Like most substances, it is possible to abuse them; being mindful and following a medical professional’s guidance is vital. Also, it is not recommended to mix medications like cocaine and Lexapro. Lexapro and cocaine have their specific effects and use cases.

Lexapro Withdrawal Symptoms

The immediate withdrawal period from Lexapro can contain a combination of both new symptoms and the intensification of symptoms that a person notices before taking the drug. Some of the signs of Lexapro withdrawal that are most commonly seen during this period include:

The second phase of Lexapro withdrawal happens weeks after using the drug. Unfortunately, many conditions that are noticed during this time fail to disappear. Lexapro Symptoms that arise during this time can be so difficult that many people feel the temptation to stay on the medication for the rest of their life rather than continue the Lexapro detox withdrawal period. Some of the symptoms of emotional withdrawal from Lexapro symptoms that arise during the second phase include:

• Anxiety. This results from the low levels of serotonin in the brain.
• Concentration problems. This is partly due to the adverse effects of the other Lexapro detox withdrawal symptoms and is also related to imbalanced neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
• Depersonalization. This is a sort of inexplicable sensation where a person does not feel quite like their natural self. They may feel emotionless or listless. 
• Depression. Since the drug is often used to treat depression, once a person stops taking it, the depression may return or worsen without other treatments that can provide adequate emotional support in place of Lexapro.
• Irritability or mood swings. Some people may experience bouts of unexplained anger and irritability, and mood swings, either when taking or when quitting Lexapro.
• Suicidal thoughts. These thoughts can increase or intensify during Lexpro detox withdrawal. If this occurs, seeking medical support as soon as possible is essential.

Many of these effects can be difficult enough to deal with independently. However, the results of Lexipro withdrawal are not limited to the psychological—there may be physical effects.

Other Serious Side Effects Of Lexapro Withdrawal

Lexapro Restless Leg

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by distressing sensations deep inside the limbs, typically occurring at bedtime or rest. The pathophysiology of RLS has been related to dopaminergic pathway dysfunction, aligning it closely with depression from both pathophysiologic and treatment perspectives. 

Certain antidepressant drugs may induce or exacerbate RLS, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). In several studies, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, bupropion, venlafaxine, duloxetine, and mirtazapine was reported to increase the risk of RLS.

Can coming off antidepressants cause restless legs? You can have tremors, restless legs, an unsteady walk, and trouble synchronizing your speaking and chewing motions. Explained emotions Mood fluctuations, agitation, nervousness, manic, depression, irritation, or bewilderment are all possible, as can paranoia and suicidal thoughts.

Lexapro Seizures

When taken with other medications, Lexapro increases the risk of seizures in those who already have them. Lexapro may result in a prolonged QT interval, meaning it takes the heart longer to recharge between beats. It is unwise to stop taking Lexapro suddenly because it affects serotonin levels in the brain. An antidepressant rehab center can help people recover from the side effects of Lexapro withdrawal.

 Lexapro Sleep Issues

Unfortunately, taking Lexapro or similar antidepressants may result in sleeplessness. You might observe that it takes you longer to fall asleep than it should or that you have trouble dozing off even when you feel weary. Unfortunately, taking Lexapro or similar antidepressants may result in sleeplessness. Sleep problems such as nightmares, unusual dreams, excessive/vivid dreams, or insomnia are some less common symptoms of Lexapro withdrawal.

Lexapro Lightheadedness 

Stopping antidepressants like escitalopram (Lexapro) suddenly can trigger a “discontinuation syndrome.” Such withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro may include dizziness, vertigo, anxiety, amnesia, headaches, trouble concentrating, brain zaps (electric shock-like sensations in the head), tremor, fatigue, insomnia, and digestive upset.  

Lexapro and Nightmares

Nightmares are found among people who take Lexapro, especially for people who are female, 60+ old, and have been taking the drug for 2 – 5 years. This can mean violent or gory dreams, ultra-vivid or highly emotional dreams, more prolonged or intense dreams, or more general nightmares.

Quitting Lexapro Cold Turkey

Don’t stop taking Lexapro cold turkey. Work with your doctor to come up with a tapering plan. Wean yourself off of Lexapro per your doctor’s instructions by taking increasingly lower and lower doses. Lexapro cold turkey withdrawal symptoms can include changes in appetite, brain zaps, sweat, dizziness, weariness, disorientation, headaches, and insomnia.

Lexapro Medical Detox Treatment

You may hear the term “detox” used in a typical way to describe cleansing the body of unhealthy and harmful food. However, what is medical detox, and how does it differ from our familiar understanding of the term?

Medical detox refers to freeing the body of toxic, addictive substances under the supervision of a team of licensed medical professionals. This team is usually headed by a doctor and consists of clinical staff, nurses, and therapists. In addition, some facilities employ advanced practice staff like physician assistants or nurse practitioners to deliver medical care during detoxification.

Like asthma, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis, addiction is a chronic condition that sparks up occasionally but can be managed. Medical detoxification recreates a similar role in addiction to a hospital emergency department driving long-term medical conditions. Identical to an ER visit for an asthma attack, medical detox for addiction stabilizes an acute chronic illness flare-up. Still, it does not change the long-term course of the condition.

For most individuals who seek inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment, Lexapro medical detox is the priority, and Lexapro detox occurs at the beginning of treatment. While detox is not considered complete addiction treatment, those who finish medical detox are more likely to stay in treatment longer and have long stretches of sobriety.

There are a few methods that doctors have developed to manage Lexapro detox withdrawal. First, because sudden withdrawal from the drug also results in more severe conditions, doctors usually slowly taper the person off the medication. In cases where even tapering off the medication results in Lexapro detox withdrawal symptoms, some doctors help the person switch to another antidepressant with a shorter half-life, which is then slowly discontinued.

Most Popular Lexapro Detox FAQs