Can you increase and then decrease Lexapro during stressful times?

[panicface]

Wanted to branch off from another thread I have going as just looking for this one answer.

Let's say you've been on 10mg Lexapro for 4yr, someone close to you dies, and the Lexapro isn't cutting it anymore. You're getting all the anxiety symptoms back.

Can you move up to 20mg for 6 months and then taper back to 15, and 10mg after that? Or is it a scenario that once you climb higher you're stuck there?

Appreciate it.

[Phill2]

No idea on that one other than you'd probably have side effects going both up and down.
I'm over 65 so the max I can take is 10mg.

[Catya]

No idea on that one other than you'd probably have side effects going both up and down.
I'm over 65 so the max I can take is 10mg.

i didn’t know there was a maximum dose for your age?
I’m 69 and take 20mg.

[Phill2]

I think I found it when I finally read the leaflet online.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-sup...g-20063707?p=1
Scroll down to usage.

[panic_down_under]

Can you move up to 20mg for 6 months and then taper back to 15, and 10mg after that? Or is it a scenario that once you climb higher you're stuck there?

Yes, you can up the dose as stress increases and wind it back as it diminishes. Basically, the med is in a tug-of-war with stress hormones. As hormone levels increase you may need to up the med dose to prevent and reverse a resulting loss of brain cells in the hippocampal regions which manifests as anxiety and/or depression. However, don't drop the dose below 10mg/day.

Also, I wouldn't increase the dose to 20mg in one step. A week at 15mg will help limit the intensity of any side-effects. Also, you should get your GP's, or psychiatrist's okay before changing the dose, up or down.

[panic_down_under]

i didn’t know there was a maximum dose for your age?
I’m 69 and take 20mg.

Livers can become less efficient at metabolising meds as we age so doses of some ADs, including escitalopram and citalopram, may need to be wound back to avoid plasma levels rising to potentially harmful levels. At your age regular liver function tests are a good idea.