How long ssri stay in system

Individuals should only stop taking antidepressants when they have discussed it with a doctor. People should not make medication changes without professional advice. Carefully consider the benefits and disadvantages of stopping antidepressant treatment.

It may be that another antidepressant would be a better option or that other therapies could help manage some of the adverse effects of antidepressant use. It is also worth considering if the antidepressants need more time to work — it can take 4—12 weeks to see a response to the treatment. Those who wish to come off antidepressants because they feel better should ideally wait for at least 6—9 months after complete symptom remission before stopping their medication.

But for people with chronic symptoms of depression or a history of multiple depressive episodes, doctors recommend that people continue to receive treatment. As a result, some people may need to take medication indefinitely.

If someone is switching to another antidepressant, they could slowly decrease the dose of the current medication while increasing the dose of the new one. This method is called cross tapering. Another method to help manage withdrawal symptoms is to restart taking the medication at the dose the person was taking when the symptoms began. The doctor can then start a slower tapering of the doses.

Individuals should speak with their doctor if they are experiencing unwanted side effects of antidepressant use. Their doctor may recommend switching to another drug or taking other medications to reduce adverse reactions. Those who wish to come off their antidepressants should ask their doctor how to do so safely with medical supervision. People who are experiencing discontinuation symptoms after coming off medication should make an appointment with their doctor.

If these symptoms are severe, seek prompt treatment. If someone has thoughts of suicide, but there is no immediate danger to life, they should speak with their doctor or a mental health professional without delay. Insurances Accepted. Our Treatments. Our Treatments Overview. Anxiety Disorder. Bipolar Disorder. Initial Assessments. Initial Assessments Overview. Anxiety Disorders.

Outpatient Therapy. Outpatient Therapy Overview. Medication Management. Medication Management Overview. Contact Us. Charlotte Office. Escitalopram, the active ingredient in Lexapro, has a half-life of between 27 hours and 32 hours.

This means that if you take Lexapro, each dose will reach half of its concentration in approximately 27 hours to 32 hours. This process continues, with your body gradually metabolizing and excreting Lexapro, until all of the medication is out of your system. This means that, on average, it takes between hours and hours, or 5.

Beyond this point, only tiny, clinically insignificant amounts of the medication will remain in your system. With this said, a variety of factors may affect the average pace at which your body metabolizes and excretes Lexapro or other medications. These include:. Your age. Research shows that age can often play a role in medication half-life. Medical detox can help limit withdrawal symptoms. Antidepressant detox involves gradually stepping down doses until the user can safely stop taking them.

So, it can take a month or six weeks or two months. But we just simply step the dose down slowly over time. Some people initially cut their dose in half and then reduce their dose by quarters.

Some taper down in as little as a month while others taper down over several months. Detox is the first step to quitting antidepressants. Treatment then can progress to involve therapy and counseling. Counselors can help users understand and move past the underlying causes of their depression. Polydrug use like this can worsen symptoms of depression and increase the risk of addiction. If you need help giving up antidepressants or another substance, contact a treatment provider for rehab-related help today.

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Theresa is also a Certified Professional Life Coach and volunteers at a local mental health facility helping individuals who struggle with homelessness and addiction. Theresa is a well-rounded clinician with experience working as a Primary Addiction Counselor, Case Manager and Director of Utilization Review in various treatment centers for addiction and mental health in Florida, Minnesota, and Colorado.

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