How Long Does Lexapro Take To Cure OCD?

Posted on Mon, 15 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 Answered on

Wed, 1 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am Lexapro 10 mg, Klonopin 3 mg, Solian (amisulpride) 100 mg and Keppra 1000mg as mood stabilizer. My psychiatrist decided to give me Lexapro 10 mg (i was taking 5 mg two weeks ago and 2.5 mg before, because i am a poor metabolizer of cyp2c19 and mild cyp2d6) because amisulpride at low dosage 100 mg (but it also happens to me at 200 mg) can cause OCD symptoms by dopaminergic activity and antagonismo of 5HT7 and 5HT2b receptors. Since i am taking Lexapro 10 mg (two weeks) i feel a little bit better (say 10-20 %), but i am still waiting for anti OCD effects, because they don't appear in a clear manner. How long i have to wait for Lexapro to do strong antiOCD effects? I have been told that it can take up to 8 weeks.

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It may take 6-8 weeks

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for writing in.

Lexapro (Escitalopram) can take around 6-8 weeks for its full anti-OC effects to take over.So, I would suggest that you wait for a few more weeks.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar