MISSED LEXAPRO DOSE EFFECTS

[Bob9563]

Last Tuesday I decided to cut my Lexapro dose from 10mg to 5 mg because I was feelign great with little anxiety or loss of sleep due to hypnotherapy.  We ll taht night I could not stop my mind from wanderign and ever since I have been wakign up several times at night when I do sleep.  I also missed a complete dose the week before because my wife accidentally took my pill bottle to work with her but had no effects from that.  Wedneday morning I searched the internet for Lexapro withdrawal and so I don't know if that is causing the anxiety??? I have been on it for at least 3-4 years at 10mgs.

Thanks

[nursegirl6572]

Glad to hear you resolved it.  It's fairly common to experience generic versions that are not as effective as the brand name (or one generic version that is more effective than another).

I also want to stress the importance of what remar said.  Antidepressants need to be taken as directed, every day (and around the same time every day), not decreased on "good " days.  That's not how they work.  All that will lead to is you potentially feeling lousy.  If and when you decide to come off the Lexapro, formulate a taper plan with your doctor, to come off the proper way and minimize any symptoms related to the discontinuation syndrome commonly seen with these meds.

Good luck!@

[Bob9563]

Turns out it was teh generic brand of Lexapro (Aurobindo) that caused the problems.  teh active ingredient can be +/- an dbe considered the same.  Ipaid teh extra for the real Lex and felt better right away.

[Bob9563]

I went back to taking the 10mg Lexapro the next night but still am having problems staying asleep 5 days later.

[remar]

If you feel like you're ready to quit taking this med you should work with your Dr on a tapering schedule. It's really not a good idea to just cut your dose in half. Your Dr may want you to take 7.5 mgs every few days, while you're on 10 mgs the other days. The next week you may add another day of 7.5 mgs.
You really should see your Dr about this tapering schedule because it sounds to me like you're going through withdrawal. Yes, I do think you're having increased anxiety because of the decrease in your med.