How Long Does It Take to Taper Off Lexapro Safely?

Safe Lexapro tapering typically takes 2-6 weeks, depending on your current dose and individual sensitivity. Healthcare providers generally recommend reducing the dose by 25% every 1-2 weeks to minimize withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, brain zaps, and flu-like symptoms. For example, if you're taking 20mg daily, you might reduce to 15mg for two weeks, then 10mg, then 5mg before stopping completely. Some people require slower tapers, especially if they've been on higher doses for extended periods. The FDA recommends gradual dose reduction rather than abrupt discontinuation to prevent discontinuation syndrome, which affects up to 20% of patients stopping antidepressants.

Related Questions

• What are the withdrawal symptoms of stopping Lexapro?

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• How do I know if I'm tapering Lexapro too fast?

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