Can I Quit Lexapro Cold Turkey? Here’s What You Need to Know

Lexapro, also known by its generic name escitalopram, is a popular antidepressant medication prescribed to treat depression and anxiety As with any medication, it’s important to take Lexapro exactly as prescribed by your doctor and not to stop suddenly or change your dosage without medical supervision But what happens if you do decide to quit Lexapro cold turkey? Here’s a comprehensive look at what you can expect.

What is Lexapro?

Lexapro belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, in the brain Lexapro is prescribed to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in adults. It may also be used to treat other mental health conditions at the discretion of a doctor.

Lexapro is not considered addictive in the same way as drugs like opioids or benzodiazepines. However, it can lead to dependence, meaning your body becomes used to having the medication present. When Lexapro is stopped suddenly, withdrawal symptoms can occur as your brain and body adjust to no longer having the drug.

Is Quitting Lexapro Cold Turkey Dangerous?

While quitting most prescription medications cold turkey is not recommended, doing so with Lexapro and other SSRIs can be especially problematic

SSRIs like Lexapro work by increasing available serotonin over time. Stopping them abruptly leads to a sudden drop in serotonin levels before the brain can recalibrate its natural serotonin production. This is why more severe withdrawal symptoms tend to occur with antidepressants compared to other drugs.

Although Lexapro withdrawal is not generally life-threatening, the symptoms can be distressing and affect your ability to function. Quitting cold turkey also increases the risk of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, which can linger for weeks or months after stopping Lexapro.

For these reasons, most doctors advise tapering off Lexapro gradually under medical supervision instead of quitting suddenly. This allows your brain time to readjust its neurotransmitter levels slowly. Tapering also helps minimize withdrawal severity.

Common Lexapro Withdrawal Symptoms

Lexapro withdrawal symptoms may begin within just a day after your last dose. Symptoms often peak within the first 1-2 weeks and improve thereafter. However, some people experience protracted withdrawal lasting many weeks or months.

Some potential Lexapro withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety, irritability, agitation
• Depression, mood swings, crying spells
• Fatigue, insomnia, vivid dreams
• Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach
• Dizziness, vertigo, electric shock sensations
• Tremors, tingling, numbness, muscle pain/stiffness
• Brain zaps or sensations of electric shock in the brain
• Visual changes, blurred vision, tinnitus

Symptoms usually start out mild but can become more bothersome as withdrawal progresses. The most bothersome symptoms frequently reported are anxiety, depression, insomnia, and electric shock sensations in the brain and body. Some symptoms like anxiety and insomnia may continue for a month or more after quitting.

How Long Do Lexapro Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

The duration and severity of Lexapro withdrawal varies for each person based on individual factors like:

• Dosage amount and length of treatment
• How quickly dosage was reduced
• Individual physiology and rate of medication metabolism
• History of depression or anxiety
• Support system and coping abilities

That said, researchers have found the average Lexapro withdrawal timeline to be:

• Days 1-7: Symptoms start within 24 hours and are mild. May include increased anxiety, headache, nausea.

• Weeks 1-2: Symptoms peak around 7-10 days later. Moderate to severe symptoms like depression, insomnia, irritability.

• Weeks 3-4: Symptoms reduce in intensity but some like anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue may persist.

• 1+ Months: Most symptoms resolve within a month, but a subset of people may experience symptoms like anxiety for 2 months or longer.

While 2-4 weeks is typical, it’s important to remember withdrawal duration varies. Stay in touch with your doctor if symptoms do not start improving or worsen with time.

Tips for Safely Stopping Lexapro

Quitting Lexapro or any antidepressant cold turkey is not recommended. A gradual taper under medical supervision can help avoid issues. Here are some tips for safely discontinuing Lexapro:

• Taper slowly – Do not attempt to stop Lexapro suddenly. Tapering by reducing dosages slowly over weeks or months is ideal. This gives your brain time to adjust neurotransmitter levels.

• Follow a schedule – Work with your doctor to establish a customized tapering schedule reducing your dosage incrementally each week. Taking doses every other day can also help ease the transition.

• Watch for symptoms – Pay attention to any withdrawal symptoms as you taper. Tell your doctor if symptoms become unmanageable so they can adjust the taper rate.

• Consider Prozac bridge – Switching to the long half-life antidepressant Prozac for the last part of your taper can ease the transition and make withdrawal smoother.

• Exercise and eat well – Staying physically and mentally active can help minimize anxiety and depression from withdrawal. Eating a balanced diet helps stabilize blood sugar and mood.

• Try relaxation techniques – yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can help relieve anxiety, insomnia and irritability during withdrawal.

• Get support – Having a good social support system and/or professional counseling can help you get through this transition. Support groups can also provide encouragement.

When Should You Contact a Doctor?

Get emergency medical care if you experience any suicidal thoughts or behaviors during Lexapro withdrawal. Call your doctor right away if you have severe symptoms like:

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Extreme depression with or without suicidal thoughts
• Agitation, anxiety or panic attacks that don’t respond to stress management
• Sensory disturbances or confusion
• Uncontrollable vomiting, diarrhea with dehydration
• High fever, fast heart rate, or blood pressure changes
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Seizures

Also let your doctor know if withdrawal symptoms get progressively worse instead of improving with time or if new unexplained symptoms develop. Protracted physical and psychological symptoms lasting longer than a month may indicate antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Your doctor can provide support and suggest coping strategies or medications to help ease your transition off Lexapro.

Can You Restart Lexapro After Quitting?

Yes, it’s certainly possible to restart Lexapro or another antidepressant if needed after discontinuing it. Make sure to discuss this with your doctor.

If your original depression or anxiety symptoms return after stopping Lexapro, your doctor may recommend resuming your prior effective dosage. Bear in mind that if you abruptly stopped taking Lexapro instead of tapering slowly, your serotonin receptors may be more sensitive when starting again. Your doctor may suggest reinitiating at a lower dose and titrating back up gradually.

Restarting antidepressant medication you previously took allows your provider to prescribe a dosage and drug they know worked for you before. However, it’s not uncommon to try different medications or treatments after some time off. Your doctor may want to reevaluate your condition after you’ve been off Lexapro to determine the best options going forward.

Are There Alternatives to Quitting Lexapro Cold Turkey?

Rather than taking matters into your own hands and quitting Lexapro suddenly, discuss your intentions with your doctor. They can ensure you taper off safely and minimize difficult withdrawal symptoms.

If you want to stop taking Lexapro because of side effects or feel it’s no longer helping, some options beyond abruptly quitting include:

• Tapering slowly – Gradually reducing dosages over weeks/months

• Lexapro dosage change – Lower/higher dose or different taking schedule

• Switching medications – Change to similar SSRI or completely different class of antidepressant

• Drug holidays – Taking short breaks from Lexapro under medical supervision

• Non-drug approaches – Lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, ECT, TMS, natural remedies

• Reevaluate need – Discuss with doctor if antidepressant is still needed

While SSRIs like Lexapro are not addictive per se, stopping antidepressants abruptly can trigger withdrawal symptoms and side effects. Always talk to your doctor about the safest way to proceed if you want or need to discontinue your medication. With their guidance, you’re much less likely to experience severe or prolonged withdrawal issues.

The Bottom Line

Quitting any psychiatric medication cold turkey is not typically advised. Lexapro and other SSRIs are no exception. Suddenly discontinuing Lexapro may lead to withdrawal symptoms like depression, irritability, anxiety, flu-like symptoms, and sensory disturbances lasting weeks to months.

To avoid serious withdrawal effects, work with your doctor to slowly taper Lexapro over a period of weeks to months. Let them know if you experience significant symptoms so they can adjust the tapering plan accordingly. Although withdrawal from Lexapro can be challenging for some, taking the time to taper gradually and getting medical/social support can minimize difficulties. With patience and prudence, transitioning off Lexapro safely is certainly possible