What is the best way to taper off Lexapro?

I took a year to reduce my Lexapro from 20 mg to 5mg. (what's the hurry. I've been taking it for 15 years) I began with 20 to 15 and alternated the doses for 3 weeks. I then took 15 mg for 2 consecutive days and 20 mg for 1 day for 2 weeks and then went straight to 15. I stayed on this dose for 6 weeks. Next steps were in 2.5 mg increments but I used the same titration method (buy a pill cutter). I began 5 mg straight 3 days ago and so far so good. I'll stay on this for 3 months until my next shrink appointment and if all is well, I'll ask about switching to liquid form so I can drop either a 1/2 or 1 mg at a time because from everything I've read this is the danger zone. I feel sooo alive! Good luck everyone! I'm not out of the woods yet but I feel so good I could handle staying on 5 mg. DO NOT believe what the medical profession says about titration!!!

I tapered off Lexapro over 4 weeks without any side effects. I had been taking 10mg once a day for 6 months. I chose to taper off while traveling, as I figured the constant stimulus and regular exercise would help prevent me from falling into a depressive slump. I did half a pill (5 mg) for two weeks. A quarter (2.5 mg) for 1 week, and then nothing by week 4 since I was feeling fine. I was pretty nervous after hearing others' experiences, but for me there have been no noticable issues so far.

I have been taking lexapro 10mg for 2 days... how do I stop? Will I have any reactions if I stop suddenly? Thanks!

I have been on Lexapro for 22 days. It was suggested that it might help with my dizziness (vestibular disorder)as I have anxiety. I have never taken an antidepressant in my 71 years . I am taking 5m. started with 2.5 for a week. I am miserable on this drug and I want to get off it. Doc and pharmacist said taper to 2.5 for a week then stop. Comments would be much appreciated. Also, does anyone else have a weird smell in their nose from this drug. Please help!

I've only been on Lexapro for 2 days but today was awful. My heart has been beating fast all day and I couldn't sleep at all last night with a pounding headache. I also have no apitite and when I tried to eat I just couldn't.
Do I need to taper off? Or can I just stop taking it? I don't want to be on this! It was only for mild anxiety but I rather have counseling that feel like this.

I was able to taper lexapro in two weeks. Now my problem
is getting off Seroquel.

Hi everyone! I hope this message finds you in good spirits. I have just today started my full taper off Lexapro. I was taking 10mg for 5 months, then 5mg daily for another 8 months. So a total of 13 months. I will be completing the following taper schedule while seeing a GP.

Week 1 - 2 (2.5 mg tablet daily)
Week 2 - 4 (2.5 mg one day / 0 mg for 1 day
Week 5 - 6 (2.5 mg one day / 0 mg for 2 days
Week 7 - 9 (2.5 mg one day / 0 mg for 3 days
Then stop completely.

If at any stages the side effects are personally uncomfortable I will go right back on the most recent taper dose.

Please note I use benzodiazepines for panic and meditate daily. I am in a workplace that allows for time out and recovery. My brain will need time to adjust so I’m going to take it nice and slow.

Supporting supplements for anxiety are magnesium
Multi vitamin with b12

Hope this helps with a suggestion of taper schedule, only you know your mind best. All the best everyone :)

I have successfully tapered from lexapro. I was on for about 5 months.I tapered 17.5 , 15 , 10, 7.5. and then 5 for a few days. Did noticed at times a little depressed but I am doing fin e. In the morning I take a very small dose of caducan. ( .5)

I am weaning myself off lexapro now. I have done this twice before. Toda y is da y one. I will do 17. 5 , then 15, 12. 5 , 10, 7.5 , 5. I will stay at each a couple of days. I will stay at 5 for a few days , then stop. My doctor had wanted me to go from 20 to 10 and then just stop. I knew that would not work for me. But we are all different.

I understand you and I speak from personal experience only to you. Now take a very, very slow withdrawal. There is no rush unless there is a medical condition. Break these 5s in half maybe use a pill cutter if available. Then spread out the time between cuts. Example: use a month between if that’s what it takes for you to feel comfortable. Best of luck to you.

I just weaned myself off Lexapro, it took me about a month. I was on 10 mg initially. For the first two weeks, I cut my tabs in half. The third week I cut into quarters and then I did a quarter every other day the last week. I had a few headaches but nothing more. I also read somewhere that supplements like Omega 3 and b-12 can help with withdrawal symptoms, so I have been taking those as well. I too had gained some weight being on this drug and no matter what I did, it would not come off. I have been off for a few weeks now and have had less cravings for food (sweets in particular) than I did while on it... hoping the weight will come off in the next month or two. I only gained about 6 or 7 pounds but for me that is alot as I am very diligent about diet and exercise and have never been overweight.

Hi. I was on 10 mg. for 8 1/2 months and then my life circumstances got much better and I felt I could stop taking it. I was also motivated to stop taking it because I am pretty sure it caused some serious weight gain after the first several months on it. It worked marvelously well while I was on it. According to my doctor's orders I cut my dose in half every two weeks. So from 10 to 5 to 2.5. This week I went to 0. I am having some brain zaps and some dizziness especially when I first get up in the morning. However, it is all manageable and I feel much better if I drink more water and get daily exercise. Just a good walk. My daughter also went off of it and she said the brain zaps lasted about a week for her. I will report back in another week. Right now it has only been a couple of days totally off of it. Good luck and let me know how you are doing.