New to SSRIs, increase in dose question after a switch to Lexapro?
Question posted by Bobbio56 on 21 March 2023
Last updated on 23 March 2023
Increasing debilitating fatigue and minor lightheadedness over the last 15 months. Lack of interest in hobbies of which I have many. 66 years young, never been on an SSRI. My PCP suggested checking ALL physical causes first and so far has found nothing. Believe me, everything was checked. She recently prescribed 25 mg of Zoloft for 30 days which I took with zero results, if anything an increase in fatigue and lightheadedness. She then switched me to 5 mg of Lexapro and then changed the dose to 10 mg after 10 days of no results.
Does the med switch set the "counter" back to zero? Should I be thinking in terms of 6 to 8 weeks after the dosage increase before even beginning to determine whether this is a good route? Thanks so much. After some lurking I've seen some excellent comments here!
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Answers
MA
masso
22 March 2023
Lexapro (escitalopram) is a good antidepressant and like most antidepressants you have to give it time for it to build up in your system. Within the first couple of weeks you will start to notice some improvements, but for Lexapro to fully reach its therapeutic effect it usually takes for most folks from 6 to 8 weeks.
I was on Lexapro for a year and it really helped with my anxiety, as I mentioned, Lexapro is a good med.
