Can Lexapro be used as needed

[mas1953]

I've been having a lot of anxiety do to grief over a loss.  What happens to be is that I have that pain the pit of my stomach and I loose my appetite completely.  I was thinking on getting something to help but I don't want to be on it forever and I know I will gain weight because I took Paxil before and I think those drugs work opposite of your anxiety symptoms.  Meaning I would gain my appetite back.  Can I just take one a day as need for anxiety or depression?  

thanks for your help.

[lynn57]

SSRI's are never taken on an "as needed" basis.  If you take only 1 on a day you feel bad, chances are it will make you feel worse.  The side-effects like tiredness and heavy head etc. are your body adjusting to the med.  Every time there is a gap in taking it you will have those side effects again.  If you just take it regularly as prescribed, the side-effects should go away in a couple of weeks.  Try it.

[cj29]

SSRIs need to be taken as prescribed because they will not work as designed if you don't.  They are not prescribed on an as needed basis and taking medication issues into your own hands is never a good idea.   Why not go talk to your doctor about adjusting your dosage?  You may also want to try a different one in my opinion...sometimes it can be a little trial and error when finding the right medication.  

[amy298]

what if i think it may work for me to take a 10mg of lexapro "as needed" ?..i cannot take it everyday because it makes me too tired & apathetic to keep up with my busy lifestyle..do you think it is bad for my mental/physical health to not take it as prescribed or is it only "bad" to not do so because it may not work??

[Paxiled]

If you know the cause, skip the medication and see a therapist first.  There are milder natural remedies that can help as well.  Medication should be a last resort, you know what's causing it and can work it out in talk therapy.

[cj29]

You need rto take SSRIs as prescribed.  They do not work on an 'as needed' basis.  Remember, when you start a medication like Lexapro, that there is an adjustment period for this.  For me, it took me about a month to get used to it.  In my opinion, you are right in that it can cause you to feel a little more on edge in the beginning, but in my experience, they are quite effective in dealing with anxiety.