What dose is everyone on?

[USER12]

Hi, I wonder what escitalopram dose people take. I've been on 15 mg, thinking about going to 20mg. What are other people's experiences?

[Phill2]

I'm on 10.
It's the max for people 65+.

[panic_down_under]

Hi, I wonder what escitalopram dose people take. I've been on 15 mg, thinking about going to 20mg. What are other people's experiences?

Because 15mg is no longer effective? How long have you been on 15mg?

[USER12]

I’ve been on it since February, started at 10 then upped to 15 in March.

[panic_down_under]

So about 8 weeks at 15mg? is it having any positive effect?

[matrix123]

I'm on 20mg and it's not really working. My doctor ordered a blood test to check escitalopram level and the result came out:
- Escitalopram 25.5 ng/ml
- N-Desmethylcitalopram 8.5 ng/ml

Both are closer to lower limit of reference value. Waiting on the doctor to interpret them...

Anyone has experience with more than 20mg? Is it safe?

[panic_down_under]

I'm on 20mg and it's not really working.

How long have you been on 20mg?

My doctor ordered a blood test to check escitalopram level and the result came out:
- Escitalopram 25.5 ng/ml
- N-Desmethylcitalopram 8.5 ng/ml

The therapeutic plasma range is listed as 15-80 ng/mL and the average plasma level for those taking 20mg was found to be 27.59 ng/mL so you are not far off.

Anyone has experience with more than 20mg? Is it safe?

The recommended maximum dose used to be 30mg. The FDA lowered it to 20mg after reducing the maximum citalopram dose from 60mg to 40mg due to concerns about citalopram's effect on the electrical system of the heart (citalopram and escitalopram contain the same active drug). Many psychiatrists and cardiologists disagreed with the decision at the time, but it still stands. A psychiatrist might be willing to prescribe a higher dose, GPs are much less willing to do so, ime.

[matrix123]

I've been on/off for 10 years. The test was ordered by psychiatrist and she mentioned going to 30mg. Let's see...

[panic_down_under]

Unless you have significant cardiovascular disease, or taking other medication which affects the electrical system of the heart taking 30mg should be okay. Ask for an ECG/EKG about a month after increasing the dose if you're concerned.

[matrix123]

Thank you. Waiting to get an appointment with the doctor and see what she'll say