Lexapro Detox, Signs, Symptoms, Withdrawal, Timeline, Medications, Warnings & Treatment Options

Lexapro (escitalopram) is a prescription medication used to treat depression and anxiety. It belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The medication takes some time to build up in the body, which is why it can take a few weeks before people begin noticing a reduction in symptoms of depression or anxiety. If you suddenly stop taking it without going into Lexapro detox, however, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal.

SSRIs have long been associated with withdrawal symptoms. While doctors still refer to these symptoms as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, many people believe the name minimizes the seriousness of the problem. 

Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. Of the more than 40 million people who take them in a given month, about one quarter have been taking them for more than 10 years. Often, long-term use is linked to fear of relapse of their symptoms or withdrawal.

People experience symptoms of withdrawal when there is not a Lexapro detox because of the way SSRI’s work in the brain. SSRIs affect the levels of serotonin, a type of mood-regulating neurotransmitter in the brain. When you abruptly stop taking your medication, it doesn’t give the brain enough time to adjust to the sudden change.

Whether you are stopping Lexapro because it is not working for you or you are better and you’ve decided with your doctor that it makes sense to come off your medication, the quitting process can be difficult.

There are several different SSRI medications available that affect the brain in unique ways. If you are one of the people who experience withdrawal symptoms, you can expect those symptoms to range from mild to severe. On a range of lowest to the highest chance of severe withdrawal symptoms, Lexapro sits around the middle.

Recent research has found that the severity of SSRI withdrawal is much worse than previously believed. On average, about 46% of people experiencing SSRI withdrawal symptoms describe them as severe. Severe symptoms indicate that withdrawal can potentially interfere with your ability to meet responsibilities at home and at work. 

There is a checklist for measuring the severity of antidepressant withdrawal that you may find helpful. It is known as the Discontinuation-Emergent Signs and Symptoms Scale (DESS).

• Dizziness
• Muscle tension 
• Chills
• Confusion

• Trouble concentrating
• Trouble remembering things
• Crying

• Changes in motor control: Temors, muscle tension, restless legs, unsteady gait, or difficulty controlling speech and chewing movements
• Digestive issues: Nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, or appetite loss
• Flu-like symptoms: Headache, muscle pain, weakness, and tiredness.
• Instability: Dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty walking

• Mood changes: Anxiety, agitation, panic, suicidal ideation, depression, irritability, anger, mania, or mood swings
• Sleep problems: Nightmares, unusual dreams, excessive/vivid dreams, or insomnia
• Unusual sensations: Brain zaps (like an electrical shock or shiver in your brain), pins and needles, ringing in the ears, strange tastes, or hypersensitivity to sound

The symptoms associated with withdrawal from escitalopram are fortunately rarely life-threatening. One of the deadliest side-effects associated with stopping the medication is the potential for self-harm, which is why patients should make sure to discontinue the use of the medication under the supervision of a physician.

In cases where withdrawal from escitalopram results in dizziness, headaches, nausea, or other flu-like symptoms, a physician might prescribe antiemetics or other medications that can treat these ailments.

If a person experiences insomnia or restlessness due to withdrawal, a physician might prescribe a sedative. There are not any medications specifically designed to address withdrawal from SSRIs, however, which is why the help of a physician during this time is crucial.

The most effective way to minimize symptoms of withdrawal is to slowly taper off your medication. Tapering involves adjusting your dose by a small amount, gradually decreasing until your body gets used to lower levels of the medication. Talk to your doctor who can then create a dosing schedule and carefully monitor the process to avoid severe symptoms.

In the past, doctors have recommended a quick medication taper down to the minimum therapeutic dose. A taper involves taking progressively smaller doses over the course of days or weeks.

Recent research published in a prestigious medical journal outlines new recommendations for treating and preventing SSRI withdrawal symptoms. According to these researchers, the best way to stop an SSRI is with a very slow, very long medication taper. They recommend a taper lasting upwards of one month that continues well past the minimum therapeutic dose until the dose is zero.

• Eat a healthy and nutritious diet
• Follow your doctor’s taping recommendations
• Get plenty of rest

• Get regular exercise
• Get support from family, friends, or support groups

• Becoming preoccupied with death, dying, or violence
• Engaging in risky or self-destructive activities, such as driving drunk
• Feeling hopeless or trapped
• Gathering the means to commit suicide, such as bullets or pills
• Getting affairs in order or giving away belongings

• Having intense mood swings
• Planning how you would commit suicide if you were going to do it
• Saying goodbye to people as if it were the last time 
• Talking or thinking about suicide more than normal, for example, “I wish I were dead”