Posted by Racer on July 15, 2004, at 15:03:50
In reply to switching to a new SSRI- terrified, posted by cpallen79 on July 15, 2004, at 14:25:09
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:Racer
thread:366535
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040714/msgs/366548.html