Back to 10 mg from 5 mg

November 15, 2026

I’d like to hear from anyone who has gone through a similar experience. I reduced my Lexapro dose from 10 mg to 5 mg and stayed on 5 mg for only 5 weeks. Due to withdrawal symptoms, I decided to reinstate my original dose of 10 mg. How long did it take you to feel better and return to normal after going back to 10 mg? Has anyone been through the same experience? Thank you!

Lexapro — 10 mg — 20 — reinstated | without clinician

6 Replies

Kevin Roy5h ago

I did that and just kept going until I hit zero. Then I had 2 years of protracted withdrawal. 10mg to 5mg is big jump down. That's a good 10-15% reduction in SERT occupancy. 10mg is full strength.

Tareq5h ago

Lexapro · reinstated

@Kevin Roy but i went back to 10 mg after 5 weeks I felt the withdarwal is not improving

Lexapro — 10 mg — 20 — reinstated | without clinician

Kevin Roy4h ago

"I felt the withdarwal is not improving" — @Tareq

Withdrawal lasts a lot longer than what most people think. It can take months, even years. Hyperbolic tapering we discuss is to try and avoid the problems you described by going slow. Withdrawal also varies. There is how many different drugs you have been exposed too. How long and strength. I was a year before I knew I was improving.

Ani2h ago

Trusted VoiceZoloft · active

Hi! I reinstated Zoloft to full dose in the past after a few weeks without the medication. It took me around 3 or 4 months to feel mosty okay after. It's very individual, depending on many factors but I wanted to give you a number anyways, still your experience might be different.

Zoloft — current 2.75 mg — on medication for 6 years — actively tapering since July 2025 - tapered starting from 50 mg

Tareq2h ago

Lexapro · reinstated

@Ani thanks for your feedback Yes you are right its very individual since i didnt taper completely

Lexapro — 10 mg — 20 — reinstated | without clinician

Cosmic19732h ago

NavigatorMirtazapine · active

I would not have gone back to your original dose, but something in the middle. It's like you've yo-yo'd your brain so it's gonna go take a little longer to stabilise again

Mirtazapine — 0.2mg — 1 year — actively tapering

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