Posted by cpallen79 on July 15, 2004, at 16:12:30
In reply to Re: switching to a new SSRI- terrified, posted by Racer on July 15, 2004, at 15:03:50
HI there, that does make me feel better. I think I get too worked up over stuff. This is some reassurance. I'm also started taking trazodone so hopefully that will offset some of the withdrawals and/or depression and anxiety. I will be takign a higher dose of this SSRI too, so that should help a bit. Thansk for your support!
Chris
> While it makes a lot of sense to me that you'd be worried about tapering down on the Lexapro, here's a little reassurance for you: most of these drugs have effects which last a while after the dosage is reduced. That's why there's a two to five week washout period when switching from an SSRI to an MAOI, for example. With the exception of those drugs -- like Effexor -- which have a very short half-life in the body and cause withdrawal effects pretty rapidly, most of them build up to full effectiveness and then build down to full UNeffectiveness. You've got a safety zone where the effects of the Lexapro will still be with you during the taper, and they may even last through the up-taper on the Luvox, while you're waiting for it to reach maximum benefit.
>
> I do hope that offers you some reassurance. Again, I'm not discounting your concern by any means -- I'd be worried, too, in that situation -- only trying to tell you that it's likely to be safer than it feels.
>
> Best luck.
poster:cpallen79
thread:366535
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040714/msgs/366578.html