Lexapro Dosage

[Anartsyone]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here, but have been reading a TON from the various forums over the past week. I've been struggling with major depressive disorder for 20 years - since I was 16. I typically have around 3 severe depressive episodes per year, each of which tends to last anywhere from 1 to 4 months. I've been on a ton of different medications, been hospitalized 3 times, done outpatient programs at least twice, and have been in therapy for 19 years with the same wonderful therapist.

With my most recent episodes (of which I am in the middle of one now), my psychiatrist and therapist both are describing me as treatment resistant. We are considering ECT (I have a consultation with the ECT doc next week - I've been basically living in the ECT forum all week).

In the meantime, my doc has increased my dosage of Lexapro and added Wellbutrin. I have been on Lexapro for several years and we thought it might have been working, even though I still had 2-3 depressive episodes per year. I started out at 20mg of Lexapro, and now I'm on... wait for it... 100mg. I've never heard of anyone being on such a high dose, and I'm wondering if anyone here has heard of it. I asked my pdoc if that was a safe dosage and she said it all depends on the individual and their tolerance and side effects. I haven't had any major side effects.

To complicate things further, my hubby and I have been trying to have a baby for 2 years (have had 3 miscarriages). Everyone agrees that it would be far less harmful for the fetus for me to be on an antidepressant than for me to be as severely depressed as is my norm. Pdoc did say that we'll stop the Wellbutrin as soon as I know I'm preggo, but I've stayed on Lexapro during my last 3 (failed) pregnancies. I can't help but wonder if the meds are contributing to the miscarriages, though I know 100% I cannot be off them.

Whew! That's a LOT of info. I'm sorry for the novel! I'm thrilled to have found this forum, and you guys seem like a very intelligent, supportive, and well-informed group.

Thanks so much for reading and letting me know your thoughts!

[Jessamine]

I don't want to sound critical and I'm sure you know but are you sure it's lexapro (escitalopram) and not citalopram (celexa or cipramil)? My understanding is that the starting dose of lex is 10mg ranging up to 20mg (at the very most reports of 30mg). Celexa tends to be prescribed at a starting dose of 20mg and I believe can go as high as 100 if need be.

I do know that there's a lot of people who take anti deps while pregnant and have no problems but I'm not sure they are 100% sure of no effects. If it's not safe for you to be off them however it's not safe.

Glad you've found us and welcome to CB (I hope hope hope I don't come across as critical! I've gotten the 2 mixed up before in the past and 100mg of lexapro is a rather big dose).

[Anartsyone]

Thank you for your response. I'm definitely on Lexapro (Escitalopram). I've been on Celexa too (it didn't have any effect on me).

[Jessamine]

Thank you for your response. I'm definitely on Lexapro (Escitalopram). I've been on Celexa too (it didn't have any effect on me).

No worries I guess if your doctor says it's a safe dose as long as you're not having any horrible side effects it's worth trying. If it doesn't help at such a high dose I guess they will maybe think about trying something else that might help a little better.