Your doctor will determine if increasing your Lexapro dosage is right for you. Generally, a jump to 20mg is considered after an adequate trial of 10mg, usually four to six weeks. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; individual responses vary greatly.
Consider a dosage increase if you’ve experienced these situations:
- Insufficient symptom relief: After four to six weeks on 10mg, your symptoms of depression or anxiety haven’t improved significantly. Partial symptom relief: You’ve noticed some improvement but still struggle with significant symptoms that impact your daily life. Symptom recurrence: Your symptoms improved initially, but they’ve returned or worsened.
A higher dose might be necessary due to:
Severity of your condition: More severe anxiety or depression often requires a higher dose for adequate symptom control. Individual metabolism: Your body processes medications differently. 10mg might simply not be enough to reach therapeutic levels in your system. Underlying conditions: Co-occurring conditions, like trauma or other mental health disorders, can affect medication efficacy.
Remember, increasing your Lexapro dose should always be done under the guidance of your healthcare provider. They will monitor your response, adjust your treatment plan, and address any side effects you may experience.
They will carefully consider potential side effects at the higher dose before making a decision. These can include nausea, drowsiness, and sexual dysfunction, though these effects aren’t experienced by everyone.
