[scorpio]

Hi all
I have been on ecitilopram for nearly a year now and my doctor has said I can reduce the dosage. I have stopped taking meds now with no complications it is only the first few weeks but I don't know if I am ready yet. since I have stopped I seem to be sleeping less otherwise I feel fine. My question is , is two weeks without meds enough time to know that i don't need them anymore? or can I still get any withdrawel symptoms? Any help please

Regards Scorpio

[LMo]

Well, I think it largely depends upon the meds, so I'll let our pharmacology expert answer that part.

But I can say that my husband usually experiences withdrawal effects (irritability and less sleep, mostly) within a few days of forgetting to refill his escitalopram prescription, and the effects can indeed last a few weeks. I was on it for a few months myself, and weaned off slowly without bad effects, but the sleeping less was a benefit in my case, not a disadvantage because the meds made me exhausted.

Hopefully Jerry or Larry Hoover will be by soon to answer your question. Good luck!

[scorpio]

update, I've gone back on the meds as I have had a really stressful week last week, and feel I might not be ready yet to quit them. I am only takeing them everyother day, because I want to see if they will work like that

[mgs1]

be careful experimenting with dosages without consulting someone qualified. your lack of sleep may be an obvious added stressor. this can make you irritable and more prone to stressful situations. good luck!!

[scorpio]

thank you mgs1 I 'll keep that in mind. When my dr told me to reduce my dosage he said I could take it everyother day, so I think it will be okay.

scorpio

[mgs1]

i was just concerned because i took lexapro for 6 months and it seemed to send me on this roller coaster ride of mixed emotions. sometimes the answers are not always in a pill and you just have to step back and deal openly with underlying issues. don't be afraid to tackle problems head on. this can alleviate some of the stress that leads to depression. again, good luck!!