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Lexapro dosages

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Posted 10/11/2007 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there.  I normally post over on the anxiety board, but I often read over here because I find things to be pretty helpful.

Anyway, I am on Lexapro 20 mg taken every night at bed time.  My doctor told me this is the highest dosage available.  I keep reading everywhere about people on 30 mg and 40 mg of this.  I was totally under the impression that 20 mg is the highest recommended dosage.

The reason I ask is because the Lexapro seems to work for me for a while, then poops out pretty quickly.  My doctor says if the 20 mg stops working, we'd try something else.  Knock on wood, it has been doing pretty good for me since July...I started on 5 mg, went to 10 mg, and now am at 20 mg.

I have tried looking up information about this all over the internet, and can't seem to find anything.

Thanks to whoever answers!!!

Posted 10/11/2007 3:42 PM (GMT 0)

Hey there Tammy,

I am on the Cymbalta and the max dose is recommended to be 60mg, however my Pdoc said there is now evidence that people were being underdosed and I was up as high as 120mg for a long time.  Seems they have info not available on the sites yet.

This may be where you have heard of people on the higher dose.

I did not like being on such a high dose and have dropped back down to the 60 mg with my Doctor's input.

Great questions.

Hugs to you.

Posted 10/11/2007 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Kitt...as always, you give great advice!

I don't think I'd like to ever be upped on the Lexapro, because as it is, I am hating the side effects on the 20 mg. I was just confused why I hear about so many people being on higher dosages.

Thanks so much for your input!!!
Posted 10/11/2007 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
kitt,

I am on Effexor XR 150mg, but today I started Cymbalta 30 mg along with 75mg Effexor XR and am to continue that for 2 weeks per my doc and then after the 2 weeks, quit the Effexor altogether and up the Cymbalta to 60 mg a day.  Have you had any problems with the Cymbalta?  Were you on anything before that?  And last but not least, does it help you?  Thanks in advance - I was terrified to start it, but did it today!  Yay for me!!  lol yeah

Sylk

Posted 10/13/2007 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on 10MG of Lexapro. From what I've read that dose is the most comon, even for people with very high depression. I have had low grade depression all my life with a big depressive episode about once or twice a year. I've been on it for about 6 weeks now. If you stick with it the side effects start to drop off. For instance, the upset stomach, dry mouth, and sleeping problems seems to have gone away in the last few weeks. My mood has started to lift a bit too. It takes on average 3 to 6 weeks for this to happen.

Far as I know your body doesn't build up a tolerance to the Lexapro a narcotic drug would do. Lexapro targets the "uptake" of Serotonin in your body, preventing it from being "locked up" so it floats around and does it's thing for longer periods of time to increase mood and lower anxiety. The only reason why the dose would be increased if it doesn't seem to be working enough after the first month or to. Anybody know if this is true?

By the way, if you have trouble sleeping then start taking the dose in the morning. That's what I do.

 

Posted 10/13/2007 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Wanted to add: I've read somewhere that Lexapro can "fix" the receptors between brain cells over time. In other words, when you go off it your brain might be in better shape and more able to keep the mood up. I think I read it increases the number of receptors or something so the "normal" level of Serotonin gets absorbed better. Don't quote me on this but I'd like to hear if others have read something similar?

 

Post Edited (Thomas) : 10/13/2007 8:59:57 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/13/2007 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Thomas. I have been on Lexapro since June. I started at 5 mg...only for a week, then went to 10 mg. It worked for about a month or so, and then I needed it upped to 20 mg. I am not on it for depression, but for GAD. I feel I may have mild depression, as I think I have had my whole life...but never anything that seriously disrupted my life. So yea, mine is for GAD. I was just curious about the dosages, as I have seen many people on 30 and 40 mg. Seemed odd to me. I take mine at night, because it helps me to sleep. It makes me tired. If I took it in the morning, I wouldn't be able to function during the day.
Posted 10/13/2007 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
sad  Well...I have been on lexapro 20 mg for about 3 yr. At one point it stopped working as effectively and it was increased to 30mg. It now has stopped working all together. Very upsetting...I have been on AD for 13 yr now and have tried all but Cymbalta. My past therapist said you reach a "seratonin poop-out" with all AD. This unfortunately, is the bad side to them. When they work it is wonderful but when they stop I try to talk myself out of it (the depression) saying to myself that it is just this life stressor or that but anyone with chronic depression knows nothing works but a good med. So if anyone can tell me about their experience with Cymbalta I would appreciate it. I am at that very helpless stage.

 

Posted 10/13/2007 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there CoCo! Thank you for telling me about your experiences with your meds. I am sorry you are having such a tough time. Also, I see you are new to healingwell...WELCOME. I hope you find what you need here! Wishing you all the best!
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