Any suggestions for going off Lexapro?

[newddmommie]

I've been on lexapro for about 5 months, but i'm pregnant now and have discussed with my doctor going off of them. Anyone have any experience with this? My dr didn't have any suggestions for weaning off them. Thanks for your help.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Do you want all of anti-depressants all together?
There are safe alternatives for pregancy. I think I took Zoloft last pregnancy.

For weaning, if the doc isn't helpful, you might consult with a Psychiatrist so that you wean correctly.

You do NOT want to quit an anti-depressant cold turkey.

Here is a link with a pharmacist's response with the advisory to do this under supervision of your PCP.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Ask-a-Pharmacist/weaning-schedule-for-lexapro/show/1162812

 

[newddmommie]

My GP was the one who proscribed them. When I asked her about going off them, she said to cut them in a half for a while and then stop taking them. I was proscribed Lexapro for a coping mechanism during a difflicult time. It's all worked out now anyway.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My GP was the one who proscribed them. When I asked her about going off them, she said to cut them in a half for a while and then stop taking them. I was proscribed Lexapro for a coping mechanism during a difflicult time. It's all worked out now anyway.

How many milligrams? My dd is on the bare min. of 5mg per day and when she misses it she can feel it.

If I were you I would see a psychiatrist. They can properly help you with weaning or for that matter if you need to be on a med safely during/after pregnancy they can help you.

 

[buckler]

Have you called your OB for advice on how to wean off with the least effect on both you and the baby?

 

[rszdtrvl]

I was in the process of attempting to take my son off some of his medications (with the doctors approval). My son has Aspergers, and this medication was a mood stabilizer.

The doctor told me to (keep in mind this med was taken 2x/day - evening and morning):

Week 1 - cut dose in half and take on schedule (morning and evening)
Week 2 - keep dose cut in half, but take every other scheduled time (only in morning)
Week 3 - keep dose cut in half, but take every other day (only in morning, again)
Week 4 - keep dose cut in half, but take every 3 days
Week 5 - no more meds!!

Hope this helps! My son had no issues coming off his medication. I am a worrier, and I worried about withdrawls, but there were none by following this schedule.

 

[buckler]

The reason I suggested asking the OB is because the baby is being weaned off of Lexapro too, so your schedule of reducing doses needs to take the baby into account.

 

[pweyl36]

I took lexapro while pregnant, Maybe you should talk to your dr instead of asking for advice of the Dis.?

 

[vettechick99]

It's rough, I won't lie. I was only on 5 or 10mg for about 3 months. I halved my dose for a couple weeks and then went every other day for several weeks. I thought I was weaning off nicely but obviously not because it took about 4 more weeks after my last pill before it was totally out of my system. I was cranky, nauseated, and super emotional like I'd never been before. It mimicked first trimester symptoms until it went away one day miraculously. I knew it was the Lexapro and not pg.

Call back and ask to speak to another doctor at the practice. Someone there has to know how to go off. If not, I would take at least 2 months to go off - reducing and halving doses.

GL!

 

[PoppyGirl]

I think when I went off of it the psychiatrist had me take my regular dose but every other day for a week, then every 2 days for a week and then every 3 days and then off. But I was also changing to a new med.

I had post partum depression with both of my children. The first time I was completely unprepared (even though I am a licensed psychologist) and didn't get treated for it until my son was 13 months old! The second pregnancy my OB had me taking something during pregnancy that helped and then we switched meds when I had the baby.

I had not seen a psychiatrist until the last couple of years and finding a GOOD (and I do emphasize GOOD) psychiatrist has made all the difference in the world. I would highly recommend finding a good psychiatrist to coordinate with your OB so that both you and baby are well cared for.

Good luck!

 

[JessicaR]

I've been on lexapro for about 5 months, but i'm pregnant now and have discussed with my doctor going off of them. Anyone have any experience with this? My dr didn't have any suggestions for weaning off them. Thanks for your help.

The same doctor that put you on the medication has no suggestions for a taper? That is very irresponsible. I would call your OBGYN. I know Lexapro is Pregnancy Category C and is contraindicated for pregnancy in the third trimester.

 

[newddmommie]

I've spoken with both my GP and my OB. They would like for me to come off of it now. My GP suggested either taking a pill ever other day for two weeks or going to 5 mg everyday and then stopping. I'm more concerened about withdrawl symptoms. has anyone else been though this?

 

[JessicaR]

What dose are you currently taking? I would call the pharmacist and see if they could recommend a proper taper for you.

There are many taper regimens online. The main thing is to go SLOW. Slower than you think is necessary.

 

[newddmommie]

I take 10 mg. I've only been on it for 5 months.

 

[dcentity2000]

Try here:

http://www.crazymeds.us/CrazyTalk/index.php?showforum=16

CrazyMeds is an EXCELLENT source of information when it comes to psychiatric medications.



Rich::

 

[JessicaR]

10 mg is a low dose. You could try either suggestion from your doctor. Some people are able to go off 10 mg with no taper and be OK while others need a short taper. Some are more sensitive then others. I think lowering to 5 mg on an every day basis would be easier on your system. Instead of 10 mg every other day.

Good luck! Congratulations on your pregnancy.

 

[vettechick99]

I've spoken with both my GP and my OB. They would like for me to come off of it now. My GP suggested either taking a pill ever other day for two weeks or going to 5 mg everyday and then stopping. I'm more concerened about withdrawl symptoms. has anyone else been though this?

Some days I was on was 10mg (PMS days), but most of the time I took 5 mg every other day. I honestly couldn't tell when I took it and didn't - so I thought going off would be easy. It was not as I said in my earlier post. Two weeks is not long enough to taper off. I wouldn't go less than one month.