Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Long It Takes For Lexapro To Work?
Question: I am taking Lexapro 7.5 mg, Klonopin 3 mg, Keppra 1000mg and Amisulpride 100 mg.
Until august 10, i was on Lexapro 2.5 mg ( i am a poor metabolizer of cyp2c19 and mild for cyp2d6), but because of some problems with amisulpride (in my case there is an antagonism of some 5HT receptors at low dosages), my psychiatrist decided to give me a higher dosage of Lexapro, first 5 mg and since five days, 7.5 mg. I'll be at the beginning of next week on 10 mg. My question is how long it takes to Lexapro to work against phobia and OCD, especially if Lexapro has to compete with amisulpride or its bad effects on 5HT7 and 5HT2b. My symptoms began now (at Lexapro 7.5 mg) to be softer, but they don't disappear.
Thanks beforehand
Until august 10, i was on Lexapro 2.5 mg ( i am a poor metabolizer of cyp2c19 and mild for cyp2d6), but because of some problems with amisulpride (in my case there is an antagonism of some 5HT receptors at low dosages), my psychiatrist decided to give me a higher dosage of Lexapro, first 5 mg and since five days, 7.5 mg. I'll be at the beginning of next week on 10 mg. My question is how long it takes to Lexapro to work against phobia and OCD, especially if Lexapro has to compete with amisulpride or its bad effects on 5HT7 and 5HT2b. My symptoms began now (at Lexapro 7.5 mg) to be softer, but they don't disappear.
Thanks beforehand
Brief Answer:
Minimum 2 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome again at healthcaremagic.
For any antidepressant to show response it takes at least two weeks to realize that it is working in phobia but for OCD symptoms it may take longer say four to six weeks. Classically they say there is 20 % improvement in first two weeks and later on the response is 10% per week added. For a person with symptoms of OCD this 20% response is four weeks in compare to two weeks in phobia.
The response is shown once the Lexapro takes care of 5 HT antagonism initially. I mean to say that first there is balance at 5 HT receptors and side by side or just immediately after few days you get response in your phobic symptoms.
Presence of softer signs indicates that lexapro started working on these symptoms and i few weeks you will be having more softer symptoms before disappearing.
In my view if a patient shows response at particular dose there is no need to increase the dose further till you reach at plateau with particular dose. I mean to say if there s response with 7.5 mg lexapro wait for at least few weeks till you feel some improvement day by day. Once you feel there is no added improvement the dose can be increased.
'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks
Minimum 2 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Welcome again at healthcaremagic.
For any antidepressant to show response it takes at least two weeks to realize that it is working in phobia but for OCD symptoms it may take longer say four to six weeks. Classically they say there is 20 % improvement in first two weeks and later on the response is 10% per week added. For a person with symptoms of OCD this 20% response is four weeks in compare to two weeks in phobia.
The response is shown once the Lexapro takes care of 5 HT antagonism initially. I mean to say that first there is balance at 5 HT receptors and side by side or just immediately after few days you get response in your phobic symptoms.
Presence of softer signs indicates that lexapro started working on these symptoms and i few weeks you will be having more softer symptoms before disappearing.
In my view if a patient shows response at particular dose there is no need to increase the dose further till you reach at plateau with particular dose. I mean to say if there s response with 7.5 mg lexapro wait for at least few weeks till you feel some improvement day by day. Once you feel there is no added improvement the dose can be increased.
'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
