Is 30mg of Lexapro too much?

In this concise article, we will discuss various important aspects concerning the administration of high doses of Lexapro.

These include the identification of the maximum recommended dose for the treatment with this medication, considerations from the scientific literature regarding the effectiveness and safety of high-dose treatment with Lexapro, actions to be taken in the event of a missed dose, and the main symptoms of a Lexapro overdose.

30 mg of Lexapro (escitalopram) is considered a high dose, as the recommended maximum daily dose of Lexapro for adults is typically 20 mg (1).

Although there are studies in the literature that have evaluated the effectiveness and safety of doses higher than 20 mg of Lexapro, the administration of high doses of this medication is not recommended for everyone (2,3) and increases the risk of you experiencing symptoms of overdose (1).

This is why it is important to make sure that you don’t take a higher dose of Lexapro without your doctor’s approval.

If you forget to take your prescribed dose of Celebrex, take it as soon as you remember. But remember, you should not take a double dose to make up for a missed one (4).

Is 30mg of Lexapro too much? 

30 mg of Lexapro (escitalopram) is a high dose, exceeding the maximum daily recommended dose of this medication (1).

The maximum daily dose of Lexapro for adults is generally 20mg. However, the appropriate dose for an individual can vary depending on factors such as age, weight, and medical history. 

It is possible that for some individuals, the administration of doses higher than 20 mg of Lexapro may be necessary (2,3).

So, you should follow the dosage guidance of your healthcare provider and not exceed the recommended maximum dose without their approval. 

Exceeding the maximum daily dose of Lexapro can increase the risk of overdose and may require medical attention (1).

What does research suggest about taking high doses of Lexapro?

A study identified in the literature suggests that 30 mg of Lexapro can be beneficial in people with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. In that specific clinical trial, the patients responded well to the drug (2). 

Another study suggests that dose escalation with Lexapro above 20 mg may have a useful role in managing patients with major depressive disorder.

However, additional studies are needed to confirm this possibility. The authors of this pilot clinical trial also indicated that intolerance with Lexapro was more common at a 40 mg dose, as compared to 30 mg (3). 

Although the aforementioned literature demonstrates the possibility of administering high doses of Lexapro, this doesn’t mean that you should start taking 30 mg of Lexapro on your own. 

Some people may accidentally take even higher doses – like 40 mg – by accidentally double-dosing on their 20 mg Lexapro. So, such cases should be reported immediately.

Typically, Lexapro treatment should be started from a low dose.

Some people may start from 7.5mg of Lexapro, especially those who are new to antidepressants in general. It is also important to note that Lexapro should be taken for as long as advised by your doctor.

So, make sure you do not stop Lexapro in a few days, without giving the medication enough time to work. Lexapro is taken once daily, but you can take it twice a day if recommended by your doctor. You can also switch from taking Lexapro at night to morning if it causes insomnia.

The antidepressant can be cut or crushed if you find it difficult to swallow, however, you should discuss it with your doctor beforehand.

What are the overdose symptoms of Lexapro?

Taking too much Lexapro can increase the risk of overdose. The main symptoms of a Lexapro overdose include (1): 

• Seizures
• Altered mental status, including coma. 
• Cardiovascular toxicity
• Tachyarrhythmias
• Hypertension or hypotension

Serotonin syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition which is associated with too much serotonergic activity in your brain – which could be triggered by taking too much Lexapro.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include fever, rapid heart rate, muscle rigidity, confusion, seizures, and unconsciousness. 

This is why it is important to make sure that you don’t take a higher dose of Lexapro without your doctor’s approval.

What to do if you forget to take one dose of Lexapro? 

If you forget to take your prescribed dose of Lexapro, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s nearly time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one (4).

It is also important to note that generic Escitalopram tablets may not be as effective as Lexapro, although the active ingredient which is supposed to deliver pharmacological effects is the same.

So, 30 mg of generic tablets may be safer as compared to Lexapro. However, more research is needed to understand this difference.

Conclusion

In this concise article, we have discussed various important aspects concerning the administration of high doses of Lexapro. These included the identification of the maximum recommended dose for the treatment with this medication, considerations from the scientific literature regarding the effectiveness and safety of high-dose treatment with Lexapro, actions to be taken in the event of a missed dose, and the main symptoms of a Lexapro overdose.

References