How Long Does It Take For Escitalopram Withdrawal?

Posted on Sun, 8 Jun 2014

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

Sun, 8 Jun 2014 Answered on

Sat, 28 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I started taking escitalopram but did not like it. I have taken 2 10mg pills. The last one I took was 36 hours ago. How long should it take to get over withdraw?

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You donot need withdrawal

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

Taking just two pills of escitalopram does not require withdrawal. Withdrawal is needed for longterm ingestion of some medicine.

The half life of escitalopram is 27 to 32 hours. Half of it gets excreted after this duration. 99% of it gets excreted after 4 x half life. Its effect should decrease considerably after the first half life itself, since optimal dose is needed to get the effect. After that you will get back to your usual self. So you should feel better soon.

Hope it helps.

Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee

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