I have only been on lexapro 5mg for 4 weeks. My doc says I can quit cold turkey. Is this correct?

I was on 10mg for 6 weeks. I had to stop taking it because it made my ibs-d worse. I took it every other day after 6 weeks for only a few days then stopped. I didn’t have any issues. Everyone is different, 5mg is very low to cause those issues.

I was on 5mg for a week and abruptly stopped. I am still having issues 9 days later. I would ask to be weaned.

hello anthony1carr,
I am sick of these doctors that say oh yeah, u can stop now no withdrawal... excuse me but I am so sick of this crap for they are not the one's that are going through withdrawal... have they taken this med... oh I think not... find another doctor and have them wean u down for obviosly this doctor as u said don't have your best interest at heart... so u want someone who does... no need to suffer... GOD BLESS U...

Drugs like Lexapro can most certainly cause unpleasant withdrawal type symptoms and should be tapered whenever possible but since you have only been on this drug a very short time, not even long enough to gain full effect of the drug, you may not have much in the way of withdrawals especially since taking it seems worse than not taking it. You can try to just stop it. It is very favorable for you not having any problems with discontinuation. You are on the smallest dose and you havent been on it very long and most likely wont have trouble. If you do find yourself having symptoms like dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, lethargy, emotional lability, insomnia, and hypomania then you may want to discontinue the dose more slowly. Good Luck!

Why am I receiving e-mails saying my question has been answered. But not seeing any answers?

Hello anthony1carr. Your doctor is incorrrect. Lexapro ranks one of the highest on the list of withdrawls, even be it on a taper. They can be brutual/harsh. Regards pledge

i used to be on lexapro also in the past.. lexapro is supposed to be something that the dr. slowly tapers you down off of.. however i have been told to just cold turkey stop many medicines in the same class as lexapro.. generally you have almost nothing to worry about seriously,, hope i helped.. ps. always get a second opinion and use your gut judgement.. good luck
Charlie~

I certainly wouldn't try it. Some docs seem to think that anti depressents don't cause withdrawal, I don't know where that came from. I would wean off of it. It probably won't take a long time since you were only on it a month, but its better then stopping it abruptly.