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Lexapro Dosage

For people who are treating depression or generalized anxiety disorder with Lexapro, dosage recommendations typically range from 10 mg to 20 mg once a day. Your healthcare provider will prescribe your dosage based on several factors, such as your age, what you are being treated for, and other medications you are taking. Each dose of Lexapro comes in tablet form and can be taken with or without food.

 

Lexapro Dose: An Introduction

The dose of Lexapro® (escitalopram oxalate) your healthcare provider prescribes will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • The medical condition you are being treated for
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Lexapro Dosage Recommendations

The recommended starting dose of Lexapro for people with depression or generalized anxiety disorder is 10 mg once a day. Your healthcare provider may choose to increase the dose if symptoms continue, or decrease it if side effects occur. In general, people will take Lexapro for several months or longer.
 
Individual dosages of Lexapro can range from 10 mg to 20 mg once a day. For elderly people or people with liver problems, the maximum dose is 10 mg once daily.
 

General Lexapro Dosage Information

Considerations for people taking Lexapro include the following:
 
 
  • It usually takes several weeks (and may even take longer than a month) to feel the beneficial effects of Lexapro. Try not to be discouraged if the drug does not work right away for you.
       
  • If Lexapro makes you drowsy, try taking it before bedtime. If the medication causes insomnia, try taking it in the morning.
       
  • You can take Lexapro with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
       
  • Your Lexapro dose should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
       
  • Abruptly stopping Lexapro can result in withdrawal symptoms (see Lexapro Withdrawal for more information).
       
  • For Lexapro to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. The medication will not work if you take it in a way other than how your healthcare provider prescribes.
 
  • If you are unsure about anything related to your dosage or Lexapro dosing in general, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking the drug without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;