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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Banshie on July 1, 2003, at 8:14:18
I am tapering off my 300mg daily of Effexor XR so I can start Lexapro. My question is- Do I have to be completely off Effexor XR before I start the Lexapro? Also does anyone have experience with this switch? What should I expect? Effexor has left me flat. Thanks
Posted by jlo820 on July 1, 2003, at 15:35:55
In reply to Switching from Effexor XR to Lexapro, posted by Banshie on July 1, 2003, at 8:14:18
I made the exact same transition. Here is what I did:
1. Started Lexapro 10 mg in the morning. Went from 300 Effexor in the morning to 150 in the morning and 150 in the evening. (Right Away)
2. Eventually dropped the evening dose so I was just taking Effedxor 150 every morning. (Did this for about a week)
3. Starting taking Effexor 150 every other morning - there were a few side effects, so I started taking an additional 10mg of Lexapro in the evenings (this was about the time I started feeling the effects...it made them go away almost immediately.) (Did this for about a week and 1/2)
4. Dropped the Effexor entirely and continued on 10 mg LExapro in the morning and again in the evening with no problems. I think eventually I will go back to just 10 mg in the morning.I was really surprised at how easy this transition was, especially after all the horror stories I had heard about Effexor withdrawal and the fact that I was on a high dose like you.
Let me know if you have additional questions.
Peyton
Posted by Banshie on July 1, 2003, at 17:39:05
In reply to Re: Switching from Effexor XR to Lexapro, posted by jlo820 on July 1, 2003, at 15:35:55
What side effects did you have? How long did it take for the Lexapro to take effect? Also how would you compare Lexapro to Effexor? It it working for you & do you like it? I am already down to 150 a day of Effexor and just starting to get dizzy, tremors, etc. I think I might take 1/2 a Lexapro (5mg) in the morning and see what it does.
> I made the exact same transition. Here is what I did:
>
> 1. Started Lexapro 10 mg in the morning. Went from 300 Effexor in the morning to 150 in the morning and 150 in the evening. (Right Away)
> 2. Eventually dropped the evening dose so I was just taking Effedxor 150 every morning. (Did this for about a week)
> 3. Starting taking Effexor 150 every other morning - there were a few side effects, so I started taking an additional 10mg of Lexapro in the evenings (this was about the time I started feeling the effects...it made them go away almost immediately.) (Did this for about a week and 1/2)
> 4. Dropped the Effexor entirely and continued on 10 mg LExapro in the morning and again in the evening with no problems. I think eventually I will go back to just 10 mg in the morning.
>
> I was really surprised at how easy this transition was, especially after all the horror stories I had heard about Effexor withdrawal and the fact that I was on a high dose like you.
>
> Let me know if you have additional questions.
>
> Peyton
Posted by jlo820 on July 1, 2003, at 21:41:57
In reply to Re: Switching from Effexor XR to Lexapro, posted by Banshie on July 1, 2003, at 17:39:05
I had no side effects from starting the Lexapro (and haven't had any). Like you, I did have the dizziness from lowering the Effexor dosage, also had a sense of electric shocks in my brain, but I took an Aspirin and 10mg of Lexapro and they went away. I would take the LExapro, maybe even a 10 mg, and I think that will help with the Effexor withdrawal.
I am feeling much better on Lexapro that I did on Effexor. I fell better, I can concentrate better and people around me say that I am acting more like my old self. It only took about a week for the Lexapro to start working for me.
Peyton
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 3, 2003, at 16:48:00
In reply to Switching from Effexor XR to Lexapro, posted by Banshie on July 1, 2003, at 8:14:18
> I am tapering off my 300mg daily of Effexor XR so I can start Lexapro. My question is- Do I have to be completely off Effexor XR before I start the Lexapro? Also does anyone have experience with this switch? What should I expect? Effexor has left me flat. Thanks
My p-doc wrote down her recommendation for switching from Effexor to Lexapro today. *dang, just looked at it and realized i can't read her writing!* <deciphering> I thought she instructed me to take 1/2 Effexor dosage & 1/2 Lex dosage together before quitting the Effexor and full dosage of the Lex. Since that part isn't in writing, don't use my post to base your decision upon. I'm interested in hearing everyone's replies too.Good luck! Kim
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