In this article, we will discuss whether people can withdraw from Lexapro successfully. We will also share some successful Lexapro withdrawal stories, some typical discontinuation symptoms, and how you can ensure safe Lexapro withdrawal.

Do people have successful Lexapro withdrawal stories?

Yes, some people do have successful Lexapro withdrawal stories. Lexapro discontinuation could be smooth for some people, especially if they properly follow the suggested taper schedule.

A 31-year-old Maria shared her Lexapro withdrawal story:

“I have always heard people say how difficult it is to withdraw from antidepressants, which made me scared to even think about it. I was doing pretty well on Lexapro when my doctor suggested tapering it off, as my doc believed that I should be able to do well without any antidepressants.”

She continued:

“This made me scared, and I began to think about all the horrible things I would go through while coming off of Lexapro. To my surprise, my discontinuation journey wasn’t difficult.

No, it doesn’t mean I did not experience withdrawal symptoms, but those were mild and manageable as my doctor tapered me off gradually and gave my body enough time to adapt to my dose reductions.”

Maria further stated:

“I believe that having the right mindset, trusting the process, and having a good doctor are the major things one needs when coming off an antidepressant, but I do know that it might not be this easy for everyone.”

A 37-year-old Cameron came forward and shared his Lexapro withdrawal story:

“I came off Lexapro 2 years ago when my mental health was at its best. I was happy and was taking things easily. When my doctor suggested Lexapro withdrawal, I was skeptical as I was scared of falling back into the darkness of depression. I reluctantly took my doctor’s advice and started weaning off of it.”

He continued:

“The process was not that smooth for me as I did experience withdrawal symptoms, but eventually, my body adapted to that change, and I successfully came off Lexapro. I’m doing well since then and have not taken any other medication.”

Another Lexapro user, a 26-year-old Nessie shared her story:

“Lexapro withdrawal for me was very easy, but I was not a chronic user. I came off Lexapro a few months ago after taking it for 8 weeks. My doctor put me on this antidepressant for mild depression, and I did respond well to it. My doctor did not find it necessary for me to continue taking Lexapro as I was doing well, and my depression was not really clinical. “

She continued:

“I was also on a low dose which is easier to taper off. So, my Lexapro withdrawal journey was pretty easy and did not experience withdrawal symptoms. But I do believe that my story would have been a little different if I was a chronic user.”

It is important to note that the duration of Lexapro withdrawal and the intensity of discontinuation symptoms can vary among individuals.

Just like Nessie, people who use Lexapro for the short-term do not find it difficult to wean it off, as compared to those who are long-term users of this antidepressant, or any antidepressant for that matter.

Chronic users need to be more careful when withdrawing from antidepressants and the process should be gradually carried out to help their body adapt to it as their doses are reduced.

However, chronic users may also be able to withdraw from Lexapro successfully with proper professional help.

Pamella, a 38-year-old teacher shared her Lexapro withdrawal story:

“My Lexapro withdrawal journey was a bit of a rollercoaster, but I fortunately made it through. When my doctor started to taper off Lexapro, I felt myself getting depressed again. This is one thing I was always scared of, falling back into depression.

I was so worried about it that it did happen, maybe it happened because it was all I could think about and it became overwhelming.”

She continued:

“I started getting suicidal and started asking my doctor to put me back on Lexapro, which she did. I started taking a low dose again, and then my therapist counselled me about it, who believed that I fell back into depression because I was so scared of it and it was all I thought about.”

She further stated:

“She talked me out of it and explained how we are supposed to live without meds so our bodies don’t forget to work normally as they should. I listened to her and started weaning off again. Slowly, it started to get better, and I did successfully come off Lexapro. As I said, it was a bit of a rollercoaster, but I did manage to do well without it.”

This indicates how one needs to have a positive mindset when coming off antidepressants. Sometimes, our overthinking makes the task even more difficult for us than it is. This is why one needs to have courage and an optimistic mindset to go through the antidepressant withdrawal process.

How to come off Lexapro successfully?

It is important to follow the taper schedule provided by your doctor if you wish to withdraw from Lexapro successfully. Gradual dose reduction is the key to ensuring safe antidepressant withdrawal, no matter which antidepressant you are withdrawing from (1,2).

This is crucial for long-term users as their body becomes dependent on Lexapro for serotonergic activity, which is the primary action of Lexapro – increasing serotonin availability in the brain (3).

This is what makes Lexapro or antidepressant withdrawal in general difficult, and this is why gradual dose reduction is crucial. If you take away the medication abruptly, your body goes into a state of shock as there is no longer support available to balance serotonin levels in the brain.

The body does not accept this change, and that’s when withdrawal symptoms come into the picture. When you take away the medication slowly, your body keeps adapting to the lesser concentrations of the drug before you stop it completely.

This makes it easier for your body to accept the fact that now you do not need Lexapro for normal serotonergic activity. This helps you withdraw from any antidepressant safely.

What are the symptoms associated with Lexapro withdrawal?

Lexapro withdrawal is associated with the following symptoms: (4)

Dizziness and vertigo: Sudden discontinuation may lead to dizziness and a spinning sensation.
Electric shock sensations: Some report “brain zaps” or electric shock-like feelings.
Flu-like symptoms: Headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches can mimic flu-like symptoms.
Mood swings: Withdrawal may cause irritability, mood swings, or increased anxiety.
Sleep disturbances: Vivid dreams, nightmares, or trouble sleeping may occur during withdrawal.
Gastrointestinal issues: Upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhoea are potential symptoms.
Sensory disturbances: Tingling or numbness may be experienced.
Emotional changes: Increased sensitivity, tearfulness, or emotional instability can occur.
Agitation and restlessness: Feelings of restlessness or nervousness may arise.
Difficulty concentrating: Cognitive disruptions or difficulty concentrating may be present.

As a pharmacist, I always advise my patients to never stop taking antidepressants abruptly. You should always discuss this with your doctor and stick to the taper schedule provided to you. You should also take care of your overall health to make sure that your body is strong enough to accept that change easily.

References

Horowitz MA, Taylor D. Tapering of SSRI treatment to mitigate withdrawal symptoms. Lancet Psychiatry. 2019 Jun;6(6):538-546. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30032-X. Epub 2019 Mar 5. PMID: 30850328. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30850328/

Zwiebel SJ, Viguera AC. Discontinuing antidepressants: Pearls and pitfalls. Cleve Clin J Med. 2022 Jan 4;89(1):18-26. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.89a.21020. PMID: 34983798. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34983798/

Landy K, Rosani A, Estevez R. Escitalopram. 2023 Nov 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32491666. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557734

Yasui-Furukori N, Hashimoto K, Tsuchimine S, Tomita T, Sugawara N, Ishioka M, Nakamura K. Characteristics of Escitalopram Discontinuation Syndrome: A Preliminary Study. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2016 May-Jun;39(3):125-7. doi: 10.1097/WNF.0000000000000139. PMID: 27171568. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27171568/

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Do people have successful Lexapro withdrawal stories? (3+ experiences)