Lexapro (escitalopram) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. The drug comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s usually taken once daily.
For treating major depressive disorder (commonly referred to as depression) and generalized anxiety disorder, doctors may prescribe Lexapro for adults and some children.
The active ingredient in Lexapro is escitalopram. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Lexapro is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
This article describes the dosages of Lexapro, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about the drug, see this Lexapro overview.
Note: This article covers Lexapro’s usual dosages, which are provided by the manufacturer. But when using Lexapro, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.
This section describes the typical Lexapro dose. The recommended dosage is the same for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The typical dosage range is 10 milligrams (mg) to 20 mg taken once daily.
Note: This table highlights the basics of Lexapro’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more details.
| Usual dosage | Maximum dosage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | 20 mg | once daily |
What is Lexapro’s form?
Lexapro comes as a tablet that you swallow. The drug also used to be available as a liquid solution that you swallow, but this form of Lexapro has been discontinued.
What strengths does Lexapro come in?
Lexapro comes in three strengths:
- 5 mg
- 10 mg
- 20 mg
What are the usual dosages of Lexapro?
The information that follows describes the dosages that are most commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for major depressive disorder
The recommended starting dosage of Lexapro for major depressive disorder is 10 mg once daily. Your doctor may consider increasing your dosage to 20 mg per day. But this dosage hasn’t been shown to work better in studies.
You should not stop taking Lexapro without talking with your doctor first. They’ll slowly adjust your dosage to wean you off of the drug. The lowest dose of Lexapro is 5 mg per day.
Dosage for generalized anxiety disorder
The recommended starting dosage of Lexapro for generalized anxiety disorder is also 10 mg once daily. Your doctor may consider increasing your dosage to 20 mg per day. But this dosage hasn’t been shown to work better in studies.
You should not stop taking Lexapro without talking with your doctor first. They’ll slowly adjust your dosage to wean you off of the drug. The lowest dose of Lexapro is 5 mg per day.
What’s the dosage of Lexapro for children?
Lexapro is used to treat major depressive disorder in children ages 12 years and older. It’s also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder in children ages 7 years and older.
The recommended children’s dosages for these conditions are the same as for adults. (See “Dosage for major depressive disorder” and “Dosage for generalized anxiety disorder” earlier.)
Is Lexapro used long term?
Yes, Lexapro is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
The maximum dosage of Lexapro for treating either major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder is 20 mg once daily.
Your doctor may consider prescribing the highest dose of Lexapro (20 mg once daily) for you. But this dosage has not been shown to work better in studies.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Lexapro’s dosage.
If Lexapro isn’t working for my condition, can I increase my dosage from 10 mg to 15 mg or 20 mg?
If Lexapro isn’t working for you, talk with your doctor. They may be able to increase your dosage from 10 mg to 15 mg or 20 mg. But you should not adjust your Lexapro dosage without first speaking with them.
Is 30 mg of Lexapro considered a high dose?
The maximum recommended dosage of Lexapro is 20 mg taken once daily. You should not take more Lexapro than your doctor recommends, as this may cause an overdose. (See “What should be done in case of overdose?” later for more information.)
Can missing doses of Lexapro cause withdrawal symptoms?
Yes. Abruptly stopping Lexapro may cause withdrawal symptoms.
These are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on. With drug dependence, your body gets used to a drug and needs it to feel like it usually does.
You should not stop taking Lexapro without talking with your doctor. (See “Lexapro and withdrawal and dependence” later for more information.)
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Do not take more Lexapro than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose of Lexapro can include:
- seizure
- altered mental status, including coma
- atypical heart rhythm
- high or low blood pressure
- serotonin syndrome (a high level of the chemical serotonin), which may cause:
- diarrhea
- shivering
- muscle rigidity
- fever
- seizure
What to do in case you take too much Lexapro
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Lexapro. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
If you miss a dose of Lexapro, take it as soon as possible. But if it’s close to the time you usually take your next dose, you should not take the missed dose. Do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose.
If you’re not sure whether you should take the missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
You should not stop taking Lexapro without talking with your doctor. Suddenly stopping this drug may cause withdrawal symptoms. (See “Lexapro and withdrawal and dependence” later for more information.)
If you need to stop taking Lexapro, your doctor will slowly lower your dosage over time.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Lexapro on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Lexapro is a tablet that you swallow once daily. The manufacturer recommends taking it either in the morning or the evening. Whether you decide to take Lexapro in the morning or evening, it’s important to take it consistently at that same time each day. Doing so helps ensure maximum effectiveness of the drug.
You can take Lexapro with or without food.
If you have difficulty taking tablets, check out these tips for swallowing pills.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Lexapro in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
Suddenly stopping Lexapro may cause withdrawal symptoms. These are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on. With drug dependence, your body gets used to a drug and needs it to function as it usually does.
Examples of withdrawal symptoms reported when people abruptly stopped taking Lexapro include:
- rapid shifts in mood
- irritability or agitation
- difficulty sleeping
- headache
- lethargy (feeling sleepy and fatigued or sluggish)
If you need to stop taking Lexapro, talk with your doctor. They’ll slowly lower your dosage over time, which can help reduce your risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
