My dr gave me Lexapro 5 mg once a day plus Xanax XR .5 mg twice a day. After 5 days with lexapro I felt better than I have in years for 4 days. Then came back to nothing great. I told the dr. She said that happens sometimes and it will get better. She continued me on the 5 mg lexapro still. Does it get better???
Is 5 mg lexapro enough for an adult?
Question posted by davetender on 19 Jan 2021
Last updated on 22 January 2021
Answers
WildcatVet
19 Jan 2021
Hi, dave!
Oh, it'll get better... it's just a bit of a roller coaster ride until your metabolism fully adjusts to the drug. 5mg is a low initial dose but it helps prevent or minimize any side effects that you might experience. So does the Xanax as increased anxiety can be a side effect.
It may or may not be a high enough dose... everybody responds differently... or it may be fine for you. You'll know in the next few weeks.
"You may not notice much improvement in your symptoms for a week or two until escitalopram begins to take effect. It usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks before you feel the full benefits. Do not stop taking escitalopram after a week or two just because you feel it's not helping your symptoms."
davetender
19 Jan 2021
Thanks a lot. I’m hanging in there. Like I said it’s been about 3-4 weeks now. I’ll see the dr again in 2 weeks. Them 4 days I had were unbelievable though. Not a worry or fear in the world. That’s how I’d love to be always.
Mad-T-Train
22 Jan 2021
Xanax makes you not have a care in the world. Tolerance can build in as little as a week. Lexapro takes about 8 weeks for full effect. While it builds up it may increase anxiety thus diminishing the Xanax’s effect. Prediction is your doctor will ask you to ween off the Xanax and increase your Lexapro dose to 10mg. In theory serotonin levels should increase by then thus not needing the Xanax but that doesn’t always work.
WildcatVet
22 Jan 2021
It'll work! It has for tens of thousands of people.
tonyplake
22 Jan 2021
Their answers are right on, but Lex only treats depression and anxiety.
What I do not understand is why your dr. didn’t give you Celexa. Lexapro is the offshoot of Celexa. I took Celexa and after I stopped that went on Lexapro and HATED Lexapro’s side effects that went on for a month. Then the doctor said that some people just could not take Lexapro b/c of its side effects.
The “good feelings” you are having are from Xanax NOT Lexapro - LOL. It could be that is all you need, but I am no M.D. Tony
davetender
22 Jan 2021
Hey tony. I appreciate it. But I been on the 1/2 mg 2 times a day time release Xanax for yrs. just wanted to see if the lexapro would help with depression and anxiety.
WildcatVet
22 Jan 2021
"Celexa is an effective antidepressant but it may cause more side effects than other SSRIs, such as escitalopram."
"Lexapro is an effective antidepressant that may have less potential for adverse effects than other SSRI antidepressants."
It depends on how you respond to the medications. Everybody is different.
WildcatVet
22 Jan 2021
"The long-term use of benzodiazepines may have a similar effect on the brain as alcohol, and is also implicated in increased depression, increased anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mania, psychosis, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, delirium, and neurocognitive disorders."
If the Lexapro is effective work with your doctor to discontinue the Xanax. It may be making you feel worse.
davetender
23 Jan 2021
Thank u. That’s what my intentions are if the lexapro hopefully works. Fingers crossed.
Related topics
lexapro, xanax, xanax xr, depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder
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