Lexapro Withdrawal
Lexapro withdrawal symptoms can occur at any dosage. Lexapro
withdrawl symptoms can begin within eight hours of a missed dose
and can last from one to eight weeks. The particularly nasty
Effexor withdrawal symptoms can easily last beyond eight weeks.
Obviously, the best way to avoid Lexapro withdrawal is to avoid
Lexapro. Consider using Deprex, the natural alternative, for
depression symptoms. Deprex quickly,
safely, effectively and gently eases depression symptoms without
the side effects or withdrawal symptoms typically associated with
Lexapro and other antidepressants.
If already using Lexapro, the best advice is to taper off slowly
instead of going “cold turkey.” It is important to develop a
specific tapering schedule with your health care provider to
minimize Lexapro withdrawl symptoms. Anyone discontinuing Lexapro
runs the risk of suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Over 50 different symptoms have been reported with antidepressant
withdrawal, with dizziness nausea, fatigue, headache, gait
instability and insomnia the most common.
Effexor, Paxil, Zoloft and Lexapro top the “Worst Offenders” list
of withdrawal symptoms. Almost 80 percent of people experience
withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing Effexor. At least half the
people who stop using Paxil experience withdrawal symptoms. The
newer medications Serzone, Wellbutrin and Remeron rarely produce
withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal is most common with antidepressants that have a short
half-life. A half-life is the amount of time it takes for half the
drug to clear from your body. Effexor, tricyclics, MAOIs and most
SSRIs all have the potential to cause withdrawal symptoms.
Of the SSRIs, Prozac generally causes the least amount of
withdrawal symptoms because of its long half-life of two to four
days. In comparison, Effexor has a half-life of about five hours.
Effexor withdrawal symptoms can begin after missing a single dose.
Withdrawal Symptoms:
Sweating.
Fever.
Abdominal discomfort.
Flu symptoms and general malaise.
Chills and hot flashes.
Crying spells.
Suicidal thoughts.
Anxiety.
Dizziness.
Fatigue.
Headache.
Muscle and joint pain.
Jolting electric "zaps.”
Tingling sensations.
Insomnia.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Restlessness.
Tremors.
Anorexia, agitation.
Irritability.
Aggression.
Sleep disturbance and insomnia.
Nightmares.
Vivid dreams.
Visual hallucinations.
Diarrhea.
Blurred vision.
Vertigo.
Gait disturbances.
Confusion.
Memory and concentration difficulties.
Lethargy.
Weakness.
Myalgia.
One particularly disturbing antidepressant withdrawal symptom is
hallucinations. While working through the physical and emotional
effects of Lexapro withdrawl symptoms, hallucinations can make the
sufferer feel as if they are going crazy. You are not going crazy.
You unwittingly became hooked on a drug that your doctor, by
prescribing it, told you was okay.
Lexapro can cause
serious side effects.
Weight gain and
sexual dysfunction
are common Lexapro side effects. Less common but life threatening
is the increased risk of suicide.
Like Celex, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft and other SSRI antidepressants,
Deprex aids in the production, increase and release of serotonin.
Unlike prescriptive antidepressant medications, Deprex is a
non-prescriptive, all-natural “antidepressant” that provides the
necessary dietary precursors to complement the body's own ability
to produce and release Serotonin. Deprex also affects
Norepinephrine activity while reducing Cortisol secretion. This
natural rebalancing of brain biochemistry calms anxiety while
easing depression - all without side effects.
Do not stop taking Lexapro without first
talking to your doctor. Your doctor may need to gradually reduce
the dose before stopping Lexapro completely. Suddenly stopping
Lexapro may cause unpleasant and potentially serious side effects
and withdrawal symptoms.
*This antidepressant drug information does not
endorse Lexapro, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible
warnings, uses, precautions, drug interactions, allergic
reactions, or adverse side effects of Lexapro. If you have
questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your health
care provider or pharmacist. The information provided should not
be construed to indicate that Lexapro is safe, effective or
appropriate.
