Depression and anxiety can be lifelong medical conditions that may
require continuous long-term treatment. If your symptoms are currently
controlled by medicine and then you stop taking it for a few days,
you run the risk of a relapseWhen
the symptoms of a person's medical condition (such as depression or
anxiety) reappear following a period of improvement. Relapse of depression
or GAD can be caused when a person stops taking his or her medicine
because he or she feel better.. Like many patients, you
may begin to feel relief from your symptoms, such as depressed mood
or anxiety, after taking Lexapro for just 1 or 2 weeks.2-4
However, it is important to take your medicine as long as your healthcare
professional advises, even if you start
feeling better; otherwise your depression or anxiety could return
or worsen. Full recovery takes time.
In one study of patients who had already responded to treatment for
their depression, maintaining treatment with Lexapro was shown to
prevent the depression from returning.5
Don't feel discouraged if your symptoms don't improve right away.
For some patients it takes longer. Keep taking your medicine until
your healthcare professional advises differently. If you have a few
side effects that seem bothersome in the first week, do not discontinue
taking your medicine until you have spoken to a healthcare professional.
Sometimes you might just need a dose adjustment. Also, side effects
may go away after a few weeks once your body gets used to the medicine.
