Weaning off Cipralex (Lexapro)

[CanuckGuy42]

Well it's been almost a year since I started Cipralex (lexapro) ended up at 15 mgs a day... so a pretty low dose. Well I have doctor's blessing now to begin the wean off process - SLOWLY. So today i took my first dose of 12.5mg and i will stay at this for about 10-14 days and then drop again to 10 mgs for another 10-14 days then stay at that for 10-14 days and then go down to 7.5, then 5 and then stop. So the entire process will take close to 3 months but I am in no rush and would rather minimize any side effects from the ramping down process.

I will chronicle my progress (like I did on this site when I first went on the drug and was ramping up last year) for anyone who is interested or perhaps thinking about doing the same thing.

[Punkykid]

Hi Everyone,
I have been taking a low dose of cipralex for approximately 3 years. I decided recently that I did not want to take the medications and wish I had never started them in the first place.
I did not experience many side effects from taking the medication, mostly inhibition of libido which is not good. This has an impact on your relationship and that is very important to me.
My anxiety was always there but not very severe. I had what I would term as a panic attack while going through menopause.
I did all of the long term tapering as recommended and as many of you have done but the results were just as crappy afterwards.
It makes sense that something you have been on for a long time is not easy to come off but it also scares me to think of the impact that it must have on our bodies and minds to be numbed by this drug.
I was okay the first few days off the drug but now in week 2 I have been nauseated, feel dizzy (of course these tie together), and the buzzing in my head is what really freaks me out. It is bizarre but it feels like there is change clinking in my head - I know that sounds really weird but I do not know how else to describe it. I am really tired and do not have the same energy to go to the gym although I know that this overall well-being.
I am really frustrated with my physician who did not take the time to tell me how difficult it is to get off these medications.
Thank-you for the informative conversation - I will NEVER touch these drugs again.

[deadringerm]

I'm in my second year of 10mg cipralex.  I have forgotten to take my meds for 4 days (reasons of unusual time pressure when waking in the morning when I take it). Anyway I was going through hell with thoughts of suicide,  Then I looked at my pill draw and realized I was off meds for 4 days.....

Now I am thinking these meds are dangerous.  Coming off those 4 days was worse than anything I had to start the meds.  Now I am wondering if I should ween off and find another method to cope with stress.

[Liexis_76]

I have been on cipralex 20 mg for post partum as well as clomazopam .05 1 and half to 2 a day. Like everyone I want off. Not only because I feel better but because its pressing im my brain.  All the psychiatrist wants to do is ads welbutrine or anilify. A new drug.  She eveluated me on my worse week of pmsing and great life changing situations that wouls increase anyones levels of anxiety.  Now I am upset because I said no to the increasing meda she is closing my file.  So I am on 20 mg amd need to tapper off any suggestion

[Carletta99]

I too am reducing my meds it's a slow process for me but I'm determined. For me it's because I have gained about 20 lbs and on my small 5'3 frame it shows a lot. I'm normally very thin and active but I have become lazy and exhausted every moment of the day. I'm going from a whopping 40 mg down to 10 mg hopefully. I'm at 20 mg now and just did 15 tonight.

[mom3209]

I went to the nutrition store the same day I wrote this post and got some HTP-5. I've been taking 2-3 per day and they are really helping the brain zaps go away. I take one in the morning 30 min before I eat, one in the later afternoon on an empty stomach, and one before bed. (150mg total) I have more energy when I wake and feel much better. Planning on taking this for 12 weeks.

[mom3209]

This has been a very informative conversation. I have been tapering off Lexarpo 20mg since June. 20 mg every other day for two weeks caused my symptoms to return so I changed to 10 mg everyday for a month. Felt fine. Switched to 10 mg every other day, felt fine (JULY). August, I continued this and near the end of the month went to 5 mg every other day for ab 2 weeks, then went off of it completely about mid september. When I went completely off, I started getting the dizziness, or "jolts" as someone described it. Irritable, moody, tearful, fatigue and body achiness have been with me now for the last 2-3 weeks. I'm feeling HORRIBLE! The "Zaps, jolts, or dizziness" have gotten much worse the last week. Another interesting thing is that the last few weeks I have started menses as well. Now that my menses are done, I've gotten a bit of relief from the irritability, but the zaps and fatigue are still present. Wondering if I'm dealing with PMDD.

The comment that was made about our bodies being lazy about creating seratonin makes a lot of sense to me, and I was thinking about going and getting some HTp-5 today to try and help me through this process. But, then I might just need to take that for a while.

I tapered on my own without consulting my doc, and when I told her, she was not happy. I want my body to function on its own without a chemical, but I also agree with the diabetes comment. The unfortunate thing is that with depression, the line is a little more unclear. There is a strong belief that depression is only linked to life circumstance or bad life management techniques. As a depression suffer, I end up blaming myself for my symptoms and feeling pretty bad.

If anyone has any help to offer, I would sure appreciate it!
Amie