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How Effective Is Lexapro In Treating Anxiety?
Question: Hi,
I am on Klonopin 3 mg, Lexapro 15 mg, Solian (amisulpride) 100 mg and Keppra 1000mg. I would like to know how long it takes to Lexapro to reach its full effect against anxiety, since there is a lot of information in the Web and it is said that it can take up to 6-8 weeks to work.
Thanks
I am on Klonopin 3 mg, Lexapro 15 mg, Solian (amisulpride) 100 mg and Keppra 1000mg. I would like to know how long it takes to Lexapro to reach its full effect against anxiety, since there is a lot of information in the Web and it is said that it can take up to 6-8 weeks to work.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Thank you very much for your question. I'd be happy to help you out.
Lexapro is an SSRI, and works on serotonin receptors in the brain. For the first week or so, because receptors are being upregulated, you may experience paradoxical effects such as increased anxiety or even panic symptoms. Fortunately, these effects will resolve completely around a week after you start taking it. You may then begin to see the anti-anxiety effects of the drug as the receptors are now being fed serotonin. That is, you may start seeing beneficial effects as soon as about a week into taking it. However, as you point out, the maximum therapeutic effect can be achieved anywhere from 1-8 weeks after starting the drug. You can still see increased benefits up to week 8. Therefore, I would not consider the drug to have failed until a full 6-8 week trial at maximum dosage, which in your case can be increased from 15mg to 20mg if need be.
I see you have asked many premium questions on this site. I would be happy to be your regular, private psychiatrist on this site to provide continuity of care. Simply use my private link below in the future. I hope this was helpful to you.
My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX psychiatrist working in New York City. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Thank you very much for your question. I'd be happy to help you out.
Lexapro is an SSRI, and works on serotonin receptors in the brain. For the first week or so, because receptors are being upregulated, you may experience paradoxical effects such as increased anxiety or even panic symptoms. Fortunately, these effects will resolve completely around a week after you start taking it. You may then begin to see the anti-anxiety effects of the drug as the receptors are now being fed serotonin. That is, you may start seeing beneficial effects as soon as about a week into taking it. However, as you point out, the maximum therapeutic effect can be achieved anywhere from 1-8 weeks after starting the drug. You can still see increased benefits up to week 8. Therefore, I would not consider the drug to have failed until a full 6-8 week trial at maximum dosage, which in your case can be increased from 15mg to 20mg if need be.
I see you have asked many premium questions on this site. I would be happy to be your regular, private psychiatrist on this site to provide continuity of care. Simply use my private link below in the future. I hope this was helpful to you.
My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX psychiatrist working in New York City. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Dear Dr. Sheppe,
Thank you very much for your clear answer. My psychiatrist tried one week ago 20 mg of Lexapro but it was impossible for my body to adapt to this dose (i adapted first from 5 mg to 10 mg and then to 15 mg without problems). Usually i feel ok with 10 mg, but this time my psychiatrist is trying to counteract with 15 mg of Lexapro a bad effect of Solian (amisulpride), which is creating to me problems with dopaminergic activity -D2 (i take 100 mg). In the street i am always looking at open windows of cars, it's like an "obsession" but i don't have any OCD (no rituals, no compulsive attitudes, etc.), it's just a fixed movement of the eye and vision looking at cars.
I feel always better with higher dose of Lexapro at the end of the second week. Then things go slowly. I would like to know if Lexapro, probably having a cumulative effect (as far as i know it has a half life of 30 hours), can still give me strong and important benefits after the big change of the second week. I am close to week four. So can i expect more benefits even if they go slower than in the first two weeks?
Thanks beforehand and thanks for the link, i am interested in it, XXXXXXX
Thank you very much for your clear answer. My psychiatrist tried one week ago 20 mg of Lexapro but it was impossible for my body to adapt to this dose (i adapted first from 5 mg to 10 mg and then to 15 mg without problems). Usually i feel ok with 10 mg, but this time my psychiatrist is trying to counteract with 15 mg of Lexapro a bad effect of Solian (amisulpride), which is creating to me problems with dopaminergic activity -D2 (i take 100 mg). In the street i am always looking at open windows of cars, it's like an "obsession" but i don't have any OCD (no rituals, no compulsive attitudes, etc.), it's just a fixed movement of the eye and vision looking at cars.
I feel always better with higher dose of Lexapro at the end of the second week. Then things go slowly. I would like to know if Lexapro, probably having a cumulative effect (as far as i know it has a half life of 30 hours), can still give me strong and important benefits after the big change of the second week. I am close to week four. So can i expect more benefits even if they go slower than in the first two weeks?
Thanks beforehand and thanks for the link, i am interested in it, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Follow-up
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for the additional information. It sounds like your psychiatrist is generally doing a good job here. If you cannot tolerate Lexapro 20mg, it is possible you can still see continued benefits with the 15mg even after a large increase in efficacy you have noticed after week 2. Wait through week 8. After that time, if you are still not feeling your best, you can consider switching to a different antidepressant. But continued good effects over the next several weeks are likely given your response so far.
Take care.
For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Follow-up
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for the additional information. It sounds like your psychiatrist is generally doing a good job here. If you cannot tolerate Lexapro 20mg, it is possible you can still see continued benefits with the 15mg even after a large increase in efficacy you have noticed after week 2. Wait through week 8. After that time, if you are still not feeling your best, you can consider switching to a different antidepressant. But continued good effects over the next several weeks are likely given your response so far.
Take care.
For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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