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Treatment for BRAIN ZAPS, withdrawal symptoms of LEXAPRO.

Resolved Question:

I've been off lexapro for over 3 weeks now and I'm still having withdrawal symptoms mostly "brain zaps" and a mild kind of dizziness once in awhile. I stopped cold turkey
What can I do to get over these symptoms?
I've thought about taking the lexapro every other day or every third day. Would this help me?
Is there any specific treatment for these symptoms

Category: Psychiatrist

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 18 Doctors Online

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have gone through your questions in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Stopping lexapro abruptly was not a good idea, but what has happened has happened. Now let me tell you upfront that there is no specific medicine to reduce the withdrawal of lexapro. Moreover three weeks is a long time for a withdrawal to persist.There are basically two possibilities. No. 1 is that probably after stopping lexapro after the initial withdrawal symptoms you might have started developing the original anxiety/depression symptoms that you were seeking treatment for. In that case this should be a relapse and you need tpstart lexapro afresh. The second possibility is that it could indeed be the withdrawal of lexapro, although rare, and in that case you again need to restart the lexapro
You may start the lexapro in the dose of 10 every days and then reduce it to 5 over next 7 days and then stop at the end of 15th days. I think this way you can reduce the withdrawal side-effects. Moreover drink plenty of water during this period.
Hope this helps,
In case if you have any further query, do let me know.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD


Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Category: Sexologist
Experience: 
Doctor of Medicine (MD), Psychiatry Residency Program,2001 – 2012
M.B.B.S,Mahatma Gandhi Institute Of Medical Sciences, Sevagram

Certificate Course in sex Therapy and Counselling, Sexology and Counselling, A
Sexology,Medikon Sexual Sciences, Mumbai

Training in Advanced Neurology at a leading corporate hospital (CARE hospital) in Hyderabad

Child Psychiatry Training in National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore

Sex Therapy and Counsellingat MEDIKON Sexual Sciences, Mumbai.
Dr. Srikanth Reddy and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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