What to expect when increasing Lexapro dosage from 5 mg to 10 mg? 

What to expect when increasing Lexapro dosage from 5 mg to 10 mg? 

There are a few common expectations when Lexapro dosage is increased from 5 mg to 10 mg. These include:

• The newly increased dose might take some time to work
• You may suffer from side effects 
• You will most likely observe a positive difference in your symptoms 

The newly increased dose might take some time to work

This is the most commonly expected thing when the dose of Lexapro is increased from 5 mg to 10 mg. Although your body is used to Lexapro, it will still take some time to adjust to the new dose and you can’t expect it to happen overnight. 

The entire treatment of depression and related mental health conditions takes a lot of time and you should remain patient and consistent while you’re at it. 

You may suffer from side effects 

It is common to experience little more pronounced side effects once your Lexapro dosage is increased. However, in this case, you may not find a significant change as the difference between the two doses, 5 mg and 10 mg is not that much. 

Some of the common symptoms associated with the use of Lexapro include:

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Constipation 
• Drowsiness 
• Insomnia 
• Fatigue
• Muscle pain or twitching 
• Joint pain
• Excessive sweating 
• Tremors
• Weight loss or gain
• Acid reflux or heartburn 
• Sexual side effects in both men and women 

Although it’s quite common to experience some side effects when the dose is increased, if you feel unusual, immediately consult your mental healthcare professional. 

You will most likely observe a positive difference in your symptoms 

Lexapro is considered the safest SSRI and it’s because of the fact that this antidepressant is usually well tolerated. Once you have adjusted to the newly increased dose and it starts to kick in, that’s when you will begin to see a positive change in your symptoms. 

You will find your mood elevated and your energy levels higher. Your overthinking or intrusive thoughts will go down a notch and you will find more interest in your daily activities. The process will surely take time, so don’t give up. 

Precautions and considerations when increasing Lexapro dosage

When increasing the dosage of Lexapro from 5 mg to 10 mg, there are several precautions and considerations that should be taken into account. The most important thing is to make sure it’s your doctor who is increasing the dose and it’s not a decision you made on your own.

It is important to increase the dose of Lexapro slowly, to minimize the risk of side effects. Typically, the dosage will be increased by 5 mg every 4 to 7 days. It is also important to monitor the side effects after dose escalation.

Avoid alcohol and certain medications that can interact with Lexapro and increase the risk of side effects. It is important to limit the use of alcohol and discuss it with your doctor. Antidepressants and alcoholic beverages don’t do so well together.

Remember to be patient, as it can take several weeks for the full effects of Lexapro to be felt. It is important to be patient and continue taking the medication as directed. Talk to your healthcare provider if the symptoms persist.

Furthermore, if you experience disturbing side effects after switching from 5 mg to 10 mg Lexapro, your doctor may ask you to go back to the 5 mg dose to give your body more time to adjust. You can cut 10 mg of Lexapro in half to take 5 mg, so a new prescription may not be required.

However, one should never change their Lexapro dose without seeking professional help.

Alternatives to increasing Lexapro dosage

If you keep finding your Lexapro dosage ineffective or your doctor has increased it several times but it still doesn’t hit the spot, talk to your doctor about the expected therapeutic outcomes of this antidepressant.

If your symptoms are not managed by Lexapro alone, your doctor can combine them with another suitable antidepressant, which can provide you with greater symptomatic relief. 

Your doctor may also try switching you to another, more potent antidepressant monotherapy to help deal with your condition in a better way. There are a lot of antidepressants that can easily replace Lexapro, but the right one should only be determined by your healthcare provider.

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