Lexapro- Tapering Down

Hi, I know there is another topic for Lexapro withdraw but I don't feel I can get proper replies posting there because there are more than 2,000 messages there.

I have been on lexapro 20mg for over 4 years for anxiety and it has helped me a lot alongside therapy. I am definitely at a much better place now, and my therapist has recommended I didn't need to see him anymore, specially because I was going for couple therapy with my Fiance which also helped us a lot. The couples therapist also recommended that we didn't need the sessions anymore.

I mentioned to my doctor (psychiatrist) that lexapro has really affected my libido. I asked him if I could start tapering it down and he suggested I took half (10mg) from now on. This was several months ago and I was in the process of relocation and decided to not start right away.

So I started with half this past sunday, and its been 5 days I have been feeling withdraw symptoms like feeling off, dizzy, headachy. It's not super strong, but I feel it all day.

My plan is not to stop lexapro right now, but lower the dosage and see if it helps with my libido. Not sure if even will make a difference.

Anyway, I am wondering how long the withdraw feeling will last? Maybe another week? Should I have not started halving, but instead done the 5% a week tapering?

What are your thoughts? And did anybody experience an increase in libido just buy cutting down the dosage?

Thanks so much

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It is, unfortunately, necessary to taper these types of medications, due to the withdrawal and rebound effects. However, it must be a slow taper and halving the dose was probably too much of a cut, at once.

However, since you have already done it, it is probably best to just stick with that dosage for awhile and proceed more slowly from now on.

The rebound effects, which can make you feel worse than when you first started taking it, can be pretty bad and are generally the most hazardous part of stopping the medication.

When I stopped Zoloft, I did it cold turkey and the withdrawal and rebound effects lasted for over a month.

And yes, when my dosage was lowered, my libido definitely improved.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Lexapro/­

Have you tried discussing a slower taper with your doctor?

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I will, but I moved and I am in between doctors now.

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Having been on many SSRI med's and also being a nurse, I would like to make a suggestion. Instead of cutting your dosage in half. Take your full dosage but every three days take only the 10 mg. Do this for a couple of weeks and then add another day where you take just the 10mg. Follow this course of action until you're just taking the 10 mg. dosage. At that point, dont' take any of the Lexapro on that third day for a couple of weeks and follow the same plan of D/C as when taking the 20mg. Slowly take away one of the 10mg. every third day until you're off the medication. This has worked for me and for many of my patients. Good luck. I wish you well.

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I have a huge problem with Lexapro and my libido! Although I am a male and it is more of a erectile dysfunction which is a massive ego blow for males. I was told to not take my 10mg dose if we were going to have intercourse. Tried that several times with no luck. I'm not sure yet what I am going to do.

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