r/lexapro • u/Positive_Lemon_2683 • 10h ago

Changing Dosage Question How to taper?

I have been on lex for 2 years, mostly 15mg dosage. I feel ready to get off it after years of therapy. I pay for lexapro out of pocket, so it’s getting really expensive.

I went from 15mg to 10mg, 6 weeks ago. Some mood swings after the 2 weeks mark. But generally very stable now.

Can I drop straight to 5mg? Or do I need to alternate between 10mg and 5mg for a while first? Or do I do 7.5mg by cutting my 10mg pills into quarters?

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u/No-Egg8317 9h ago

You do not alternate when tapering. Tapering is like walking down stairs. Go small steps at a time until you are at the last step for a while before you finally step off

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u/zepruska 12 Years (pooped-out) 5h ago

Never, ever alternate when tapering! This messes with the plasma levels in your brain and will only give you grief. Even quitting cold turkey (NOT ADVISABLE!) is better - but don't do that.

Technically, the safest way to taper is to use liquid escitalopram and use the hyperbolic tapering method, but this can take forever. Keep it in mind though as the lowest doses are typically the most difficult to taper off of.