About Chris Howland-Harris Expertise I have been a registered pharmacist in the U.K. for 15 years, working in community pharmacy. I would be willing to answer questions relating to any aspect of pharmacy, drug use, drug side-effects and interactions, self-medication and treatment of minor ailments with mediction available to buy.
Question I am a 55 year old female. I was taking 5 mg of Lexipro and last October my Dr. increased it to 10 and then three weeks ago to 15mg. (for anxiety/depression). I have been incredibly tired! Is this a side effect of the meds? I switched back to 10 mg. two weeks ago, but still don't feel back to my old self. If I want to go down to 5mg. what is the best way to do it? (do I need to step down gradually or just change it?) Thanks so much for your advice.
Answer Dear Julie,
Thank you for your question.
It may well be that your tiredness is a result of this drug (between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people will experience fatigue). This is most frequent during the first or second week of treatment and usually decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment.
I would suggest that you stick with 10mg for at least four to six weeks - this drug acts gradually and can take some weeks for your body to adjust and feel the most benefit.
There are other things to consider though. One of the effects of depression itself is a feeling of fatigue or lethargy. Also stress, illness, iron-deficient anaemia, thyroid problems etc etc may cause this, so don't discount other causes of the tiredness. I hope you have a good relationship with your doctor, and so work with your doctor to sort this out.
If you do reduce the dose it is important to step down slowly over a couple of weeks (eg to go from 10mg to 5mg, take 10mg Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and 5mg on Tuesday and Saturday for two weeks, then take 5mg on alternate days for two weeks etc etc).
I wish you well. Incidently you are my last questioner because pressure sof work and home life mean I can no longer give the regular commitment to AllExperts.
