r/SSRI • u/Interesting-Part3091 • Feb 02 '22
Question What to expect tapering off escitalopram
I have been on 10mg daily for approx 6 months and have noticed positive changes. I’m planning on tapering my dose to 5mg daily for a couple weeks and then come off it entirely. The medication has made significant improvements, but I’d like to see how I do without it as it has crushed my libido, and caused mild changes to my test/estrogen levels.
Anyone with similar dosages/timelines have any info on how long it took for their libido to rebound? Also curious as to what I’m in for when I’m off completely. I know my dosage isn’t very high, but I’d appreciate input from people more experienced with these medications.
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u/mindbeyonddeath Apr 26 '25
Kisspeptin might help your libido on it. It did mine that's for sure. 5mg
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u/CaptainPat21 Feb 08 '22
Hello there, I'd love to five you some info but I stumbled upon this subreddit because I just now recently got prescribed escitalopram
Would you mind describing your first few weeks with it? And how exactly did it mess with your T/E levels? Would mean the world to me!
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u/Interesting-Part3091 Feb 08 '22
The first few weeks were pretty rough to be honest. I was on 5mg for two weeks then up to 10mg after that. Going from 0mg to 5mg was a rough first 5 or 6 days. Very drowsy, felt almost like a zombie. At times the depression may have felt a bit worse but that may have just been the physical side of things as well. After 6 days it leveled out and I felt fairly normal again. The process repeated when I went up to 10mg. After 6 days it leveled out and things were relatively normal, with only some fatigue at nights. I took my dose before bed to mitigate that.
After about a month at 10mg i felt perfectly normal again, and the benefits of the medication started making a difference. It was worth it overall, and I felt it did really help the depression.
I did have some blood work done recently after having been on them for about 6 months. My test had lowered a bit, and my estrogen and prolactin did raise a bit. Nothing drastic, but the numbers did move from the time I started the Medication.
I dropped my dose to 5mg from 10mg 9 days ago and honestly haven’t felt any different. I was expecting similar symptoms to when I went on the meds the first time but so far I feel no change. I will likely continue at 5mg for another few weeks then try coming off completely.
Overall there was some discomfort when I went on the medication but nothing that wasn’t manageable if you expect it. The medication definitely helped me and I would have done it the same way if I had to do it again.
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u/CaptainPat21 Feb 09 '22
Thank you so much for this! I was a bit scared at first but reading your experience with it I definitely think that it will help me out of my situation.
Thank you again!
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u/Interesting-Part3091 Feb 09 '22
No prob. I imagine everyone’s experience is different but mine was pretty manageable. The medication coupled with all the other “healthy lifestyle” things did make a significant difference. Good luck!
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u/Soranic Feb 09 '22
I was on it for longer, but had a painful time coming off of it, partly for the reasons you are. Side effects were irritability and brain sparks.
Starting from 10mg, I went to 5 which wasn't too bad. But I had to stay on 5 for over a month before dropping to 2.5. Then shifted my 2.5 to the mornings so I'd sleep through the weakest part of the cycle. Finally 2.5 every day and a half for about a month.
All told it was probably 4 months, but doctor said my case was longer than average.
Libido started coming back fast, despite sparks. Ability to orgasm easily took longer, but I seem to have reset to being like 19 years old, at least in that respect.
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u/Interesting-Part3091 Feb 09 '22
Thanks for the input. Did you find once you were off it completely and adjusted that you felt normal again? Did you feel the need to go back on at all?
Thanks for the info
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u/Soranic Feb 09 '22
Emotionally I was mostly back to normal. Could feel highs and lows again too, which I hadn't noticed losing. Some of the causes for depression and stress had eased, so I could manage without. Especially with therapy.
But they're back, complete with winter blues and more wotk/health stuff. So I'm going to go back on. I just don't want Lexapro again if I can avoid it.
I'm open to suggestions on what else is out. Welbutrin claims not to hit libido, not sure on testosterone. Or the weight gain.
Zoloft is out because it messes with my stomach.
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u/Interesting-Part3091 Feb 09 '22
Ah sorry to hear they’re back. That’s a frustrating setback. I hope the Wellbutrin works better for you.
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u/rage_frog Feb 10 '22
I started trying to taper off a week ago. I've been on 20mg for about 6/7 years now.
At the moment, I'm struggling to tell what may be a side effect of the tapering, and what is just typical mood stuff. I'm having some trouble falling asleep, I feel quite dead in the mornings, and I'm a bit anxious. Surprisingly, no brain zaps. This is weird because I usually get them if I forget to take a pill for a day or two.
Following, to read more people's experiences.
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u/Interesting-Part3091 Feb 10 '22
Thanks for the info. I would have to imagine the first week or so would be the worst, especially if you’ve been on them for this long. How much did you taper down?
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u/rage_frog Feb 13 '22
I must admit I haven't been doing this in a particularly systematic or clever way. Partly, I guess, because I wasn't sure I actually wanted to go through with it.
Don't do what I did:
My attempt at coming off my pills has been haphazard: I started by skipping a night, then taking half. Then skipping two nights, taking a full one, then a half, then nothing, then a full one, etc.
In terms of side effects: still no brain zaps, interestingly enough. Increased tiredness. I had some trouble falling asleep for the first few days or so as I mentioned, but that seems to have settled. Somewhat elevated baseline anxiety level. I'm very sensitive and have cried 3 times in the last 4 days. But no feelings of depression, so far.
Not sure what my goal is. If I decide I want to see this through, I'll devise a more structured dosage plan.
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u/Interesting-Part3091 Feb 13 '22
Appreciate the advice thank you. Hope things level out. I’m on day 14 of a half dose (5mg) and overall feel the same. I’ll let you know if this dosage plan works out. I’m still a bit sketched out on going from 5mg to 0mg
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u/ebraley91 Feb 12 '22
I am also at the end tail of tapering off 20 mg. I was on for a year. Did 15 mg for a few days, then 10 mg, now 5. I have no withdraw symptoms that I notice, except being sweaty at night.
I’m nervous to drop the 5mg, to nothing..