There is no universal time limit for how long a person can stay on Lexapro (escitalopram); it can be taken for a few months or many years, sometimes even for life, depending on the individual's condition and the supervising doctor's guidance.
Yes—many people take Lexapro for years. Some even stay on it for most of their lives. Medical research shows that SSRIs are safe for long-term use when monitored by a healthcare provider. There is no official time limit that says you must stop the medication after a certain number of years.
If you take antidepressants for a long time (several years or more) you may be at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. This is more likely if you are over the age of 30 and are taking either SSRI or tricyclic antidepressants.
Sometimes Wellbutrin is even prescribed to counter the side effects of SSRIs like Lexapro—for example, it can help counteract some of the less desirable side effects associated with Lexapro, like the decrease in sex drive or weight gain. That said, there are some risks associated with the combination of the two.
Long-term Lexapro use creates significant neurobiological adaptations that can persist for months or years after discontinuation. These changes can lead to tolerance, physical dependence, and potentially severe withdrawal symptoms when the medication is reduced or stopped.
Common Lexapro side effects include nausea, headache, and diarrhea. It can also cause trouble sleeping and sexual problems. Some of these side effects eventually go away as your body gets used to the medication. More serious Lexapro side effects include abnormal bleeding and suicidal thoughts.
Some of the more common supplements that might be an effective alternative to Lexapro for anxiety or depression may include:
Lexapro doesn't fit into “upper” or “downer” categories that typically describe stimulants or depressants. As an SSRI antidepressant medication, it works by balancing brain chemistry rather than artificially stimulating or sedating your central nervous system.
For example, it may be safe to take Lexapro with antidepressants that aren't known to affect serotonin or cause long QT syndrome. An example is bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL, others). Your doctor can tell you more about whether it's safe to take these medications together.
While Lexapro works exclusively on serotonin pathways, Wellbutrin affects norepinephrine and dopamine systems. This means the combination could potentially address symptoms that serotonin modulation alone cannot adequately manage. The complementary actions of these medications target different aspects of depression.
In time, the brain returns to a normal state after stopping antidepressants. If depressive symptoms do arise and gradually worsen, it's best to consult a psychiatrist or doctor if they don't improve within a few weeks or if they become severe.
For people with chronic or severe depression, medication may be needed on a long-term basis. In these cases, antidepressants are often taken indefinitely. That is, in part, because depression is not an illness that can be cured.
Lexapro often stops working because it adjusts serotonin levels, not the neural connectivity issues that drive depression, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
Does Lexapro make you forgetful? Some people may notice mild memory problems or difficulty concentrating while taking Lexapro. These cognitive side effects are not common and often lessen over time or with dose adjustments under a doctor's supervision.
The duration of Lexapro treatment can be months or years, depending on the underlying condition being treated, treatment response, side effect tolerance, and individual circumstances. For first-episode depression, healthcare providers usually recommend continuing treatment for 4 to 9 months after symptom remission [7].
You might be ready to reduce Lexapro if you've experienced stable mental health for at least six months, completed therapy addressing underlying issues, or find that side effects outweigh the medication's benefits. Always consult your healthcare provider to determine the right time based on your circumstances.
When to See a Doctor. If your depression symptoms return for more than a few days, it's time to see your doctor. But even if you feel like your antidepressant isn't working, it's important to keep taking it until your doctor advises otherwise. You may need a dosage increase or a slow tapering off process.
Escitalopram is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines work by increasing the activity of the chemical serotonin in the brain.
Is Lexapro stronger than Xanax? Lexapro is less likely to induce sleep than Xanax, and there are properties in the medication that are stronger. For instance, its anti-seizure effects are more potent than Xanax. Common side effects of the drugs may be similar, but also some are more severe than others.
Following a single oral dose (20 mg tablet or solution) of escitalopram, peak blood levels occur at about 5 hours. Absorption of escitalopram is not affected by food.
There's good news for people with severe treatment-resistant depression: Esketamine is a groundbreaking therapy that can provide relief from major depression within hours.
Vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins play a role in making brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions. Low levels of B-12 and other B vitamins and folate may be linked to depression.