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Why You Should Take Lexapro Daily

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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.