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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by garyengelm on February 12, 2008, at 15:33:05
I started Lexapro weeks ago, but had to start low as I'm med sensative. My pdoc wants me to go up to 20mg. I started at 1.25mg and worked up to 10mg. All together, it took me 5 weeks to get to 10mg which I've been at for 4 days now.
My question is this: If I go up 2.5mg every 4 days now and get to 15mg in 8 days, how long does it take to feel the effect of the 5mg increase? In other words, do you have to wait 4-6 weeks as if you were just starting out on the drug ? Thanks in advance as always.....
Gary
Posted by Justherself54 on February 12, 2008, at 17:06:10
In reply to How long do dose increases of SSRIs take to work ?, posted by garyengelm on February 12, 2008, at 15:33:05
> I started Lexapro weeks ago, but had to start low as I'm med sensative. My pdoc wants me to go up to 20mg. I started at 1.25mg and worked up to 10mg. All together, it took me 5 weeks to get to 10mg which I've been at for 4 days now.
>
> My question is this: If I go up 2.5mg every 4 days now and get to 15mg in 8 days, how long does it take to feel the effect of the 5mg increase? In other words, do you have to wait 4-6 weeks as if you were just starting out on the drug ?
Thanks in advance as always.....Gary
>
Are you feeling any effect from it yet?
Lexapro worked very well for me at 10 mg and kicked in quickly..about 2 weeks..only when it started to poop out on me (I have that problem) did I try 20 mg. It was a good medication and I would still be on it but all SSRI's poop out on me..I would stay at 10 mg for a couple of weeks..that may be all you need..
I would talk to your doctor about giving 10 mg a chance..I hope it works for you as well as it did for me..good luck!
Posted by SteelyDan on February 12, 2008, at 17:45:16
In reply to How long do dose increases of SSRIs take to work ?, posted by garyengelm on February 12, 2008, at 15:33:05
> I started Lexapro weeks ago, but had to start low as I'm med sensative. My pdoc wants me to go up to 20mg. I started at 1.25mg and worked up to 10mg. All together, it took me 5 weeks to get to 10mg which I've been at for 4 days now.
>
> My question is this: If I go up 2.5mg every 4 days now and get to 15mg in 8 days, how long does it take to feel the effect of the 5mg increase? In other words, do you have to wait 4-6 weeks as if you were just starting out on the drug ? Thanks in advance as always.....
>
> GaryAre you feeling any better yet? I would say around the 4-6 week if it's going to work you should notice it by then. And as you slowly increase the dose i would estimate at 3-5 days you would notice something..hopefully feeling better. Man, with these meds everybody responds differently to them so it really is just a "guess". Best wishes to you!
Dan
Posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2008, at 20:24:03
In reply to Re: How long do dose increases of SSRIs take to work ? » garyengelm, posted by SteelyDan on February 12, 2008, at 17:45:16
Agree with above answers and good luck to you. Love Phillipa
Posted by rskontos on February 13, 2008, at 11:00:13
In reply to How long do dose increases of SSRIs take to work ?, posted by garyengelm on February 12, 2008, at 15:33:05
When I started lex I noticed a difference in I guess it was about 3-4 weeks. I stayed at 10 mg. I did not go up to the 20 mg. Mainly because it made me so sleepy I thought if I went up to 20 mg. I would sleep around the clock.
good luck.
rsk
Posted by rgb on February 15, 2008, at 20:26:07
In reply to How long do dose increases of SSRIs take to work ?, posted by garyengelm on February 12, 2008, at 15:33:05
I've been on sertraline 200mg/d for some months (so the situation is a bit different than yours).
I think I notice (mostly positive) changes *on the same day* if I take the odd extra 100 or 200mg -- but it could be a placebo effect. This is outside the recommended dose; I have no idea whether it is safe for other people than me...
Note that I also had effects right from the beginning (well, I took tiny doses on day 1 and 2, but by day 3 there was an obvious effect), so my reaction is way atypical anyway.
(btw, I've been self-experimenting with the higher dose for 4 days now; I hope there won't be any problems with going back to the 200mg)
This is the end of the thread.
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