... results. I'm in my 4th day at 30mg. Has anyone had success with 30mg and how long did it take to feel the results?
My doc just increased my dosage to 30mg of Escitalopram after being on 20mg for 6 weeks with mixed?
Question posted by geloman1 on 25 Jan 2016
Last updated on 15 October 2021 by Salhaalshamsi
7 Answers
Salhaalshamsi
15 Oct 2021
Have you heard of any pregnant women on 30mg dose or higher? I am 35 weeks pregnant and the last doc I talked to intends to put me on 30mg because I told him that I built up a tolerance to 20mg. I didn’t tell him that I am pregnant though as it was a quick online consultation. I am going to see him tomorrow and see how it goes.
EAndrea2005
20 Feb 2019
Upon starting this response I see that this post is quite old but still, maybe this info may help someone. So I just did genetic testing to see what meds (antidepressants/anti anxiety/ADHD) would work for me after having many failed attempts with them. Well it was mostly a bunch of junk because the meds they say may work just fine give me maximum side effects however the one piece of good info on there was that I metabolize certain meds faster and my genetics show that, specifically Lexapro, is needed at a higher dose because it doesn’t work properly at standard dosing. It may be why you need higher dosing as well. Just a thought based on my current experience with it.
Tonitru
20 April 2018
Escitalopram is quite fast acting compared to the older SSRIs. I've gone from 20 to 30 mg before, and I usually feel the results in a week to 10 days, sometimes even less. After 2 weeks I experience little change.
So17
11 Oct 2018
Could some one help me I started taking escitalopram in August 17 it’s was 10mgs took it for like 2 weeks and my doctor increased it to 20 mgs in September 4 he also added buspirone 5mg once a day. I have been on lexapro 20 and buspirone 5mg for the last 5 weeks. Should I wait a little longer for meds to kick in or should I have Doctor either raise my escitalopram or change my meds. Please help I been having very bad episodes I even did FMLA from my job because it’s too much and been stressing. Please anyone any advice is needed all I want is feel my self again
Diana1967l
20 March 2018
How have you done on this dose. My doctor just put me on 30 mg a day?
Ofelia21
28 Jan 2018
U guys my dr change me from citalopram to generic to lexapro i hope i feel better soon when do u guys take it
TKMarsh711
15 Nov 2017
Why is it that when I ask my Dr. to increase my Lexapro, he says he can't prescribe over 20 mg. I have been taking that for 10 years and I think it needs to be increased. But he won't do it.
Daesea
27 Dec 2017
I am having the same problem. My previous dr put me on 20 mg of Lexapro and had told me that I could increase if I felt I needed to. I switched to 30mg on my own and when I spoke with my current doctor she immediately shot that down saying there is no clinical proof that it is beneficial. I was not happy with that as I had definitely been feeling much better. She still would not represcribe for 30 mg but did increase my Wellbutrin. This new combo of more Wellbutrin and 20mg lexapro is not cutting it
Tonitru
20 April 2018
I'm dealing with the same problem, increasing depression after about 5 years on Lexapro, and my GP says the same thing. The answer I believe is that the manufacturer's guidelines specify 20 mg as the maximum dose, and the Dr. may be subject to censure by his/her professional association for exceeding it. However, I enquired of a psychiatric clinic and they said doses greater than 20 mg were common in their practice — psychiatrists tend to be prescribing for a different set of patients than GPs.
Also, there is a growing body of evidence that many if not all antidepressants (especially SSRIs like LexaPro) lose their effectiveness after a few years — "poop out". I myself have often found this to be so. Switching to a totally different antidepressant may be better than upping the dose. That said, I am increasing my own dose from 20 to 30 mg this week after a bad depressive episode — luckily I have quite a few spare tablets — as my GP is being very conservative & I have trouble getting in to see her.
Evaw1045
30 April 2018
I was put on 20mg but I could not eat anyone have this problem now Dr want me to go 30mg I Am little hesitant
Smcgidget
7 Sep 2018
My doctor increased me to 20 mg twice a day and it made a huge difference- he just had to explain to my insurance why- I’ve been on lexapro 20 mg since 2009 and recently was having more anxiety and some more depression- I’m on maybe week 5 of the new dosage and I can tell a difference already!
chukie26
25 Jan 2016
I have a freind on 30 mg he just started it though last week I just talked to him he says he feels better .He was hav a change in carrer and he was stressing on it so the dr told him to take another half with his 20 mg he already takes.
geloman1
25 Jan 2016
Thanks Jonathan. Does he have anxiety disorder? I'm in my 4th day and it feels to help a bit more, but it's still too soon to really tell because I do still feel a bit of anxiety although it's more bearable. I've from other people that sometimes the first week is hard as you adjust to the dosage and that anxiety might increase a bit. I'm praying that this dosage really helps as the days go by. Please keep me in your prayers as well brother. I hope and pray you're able to eat normally soon. God bless you.
chukie26
25 Jan 2016
Yes he has anxiety mainly with some depression. He's been on lexapro 20 mg for 2 years off and on. He says he will stay on it from now on because it makes his life easier.
geloman1
25 Jan 2016
Have you tried any other anti-depressants? I used to be on Celexa which is related to Lexapro but it came out first. I was on that for many years with great success. I switched to Lexapro about 8 weeks ago because I was told it's the new and improved Celexa with less side effects and works quicker. So far I've had mixed results at 20mg. Hoping 30mg does the trick. Keeping the faith and praying always for us.
chukie26
25 Jan 2016
Will do god bless you brother!
chukie26
25 Jan 2016
No I have never tried any other meds. It was hard enough to get my self to take the Lexapro. My freind says I should up my dosage to 20 he says it will smooth things out more.
geloman1
25 Jan 2016
Stay strong and keep the faith. When you're eating, take it nice and slow and don't focus on the eating but think of something else, maybe distract yourself and maybe even say a prayer as you eat. Feel free to send me updates. Take care!
geloman1
25 Jan 2016
Well if you're still feeling anxiety, it's worth a try to see if the 20mg helps smooth things out. 20mg is usually a standard does nowadays and I've read that it's not uncommon for people to be on 30-40mg.
chuck1957
25 Jan 2016
Yes I agree but you always want the doctor to okay the Increase, Really the 20mg is a good starting dose,But many people are on 30 and 40 now seems like they are having more luck It's still good to start on a low dose and get past the side effects because every time they increase you have to go through those side effects again but most the time they are not as bad. Good luck
geloman1
27 Jan 2016
Hi. So I'm about the end of my 1st week on the increase to 30mg. Previously I was on 20mg for about 6 weeks then my doc decided to up the dosage as I wasn't completely responding to the 20mg dosage. I can't really tell if the 30mg is helping as I have some days that are good and days, like yesterday at work when I was experiencing anxiety.
How long before I should start to feel the effects of the increase if any? Thanks!
MacyS
6 Feb 2017
I have been taking 30 milligrams for 5 weeks now and I do not notice a change. I was previously on 20 milligrams for six months. My follow-up appointment is not for another 3 weeks. Hopefully, I will notice a difference then as I do not want to take these pills forever.
My doctor told me that 20 milligrams is the ideal dosage and takes a while do you notice a change. I guess that's why after 6 months I was increased.
Ofelia21
28 Jan 2018
Omg I hope I feel better soon too I’m so stressed from feeling like this
Related topics
anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, escitalopram, dosage
Further information
- Escitalopram uses and safety info
- Escitalopram prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Escitalopram (detailed)
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