Jones09: Escitalopram taper

[Jones09]

Hello I have been taking escitalopram/lexapro 5mg for nearly 2 years.  I want to taper but the GP in the UK is refusing to switch me to the liquid from tablets.  I already have an existing health condition, as I already have symptoms such as migraine, brain fog, palpitations, insomnia from a combination of Chronic fatigue syndrome. And I am a single mum with no family.  Despite this they refuse.  Can anyone help with info as to how I can get the liquid in the UK? I have tried Rosemont and martindale pharmacies mentioned on here. I really am scared of making my own liquid or scale and filing taper.  As I’m not good with figures at all. 
 

can anyone advise please? 

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Jones09.  It's great you came here before tapering.  I'm sorry your GP is being so uncooperative.

 

I'm not familiar with the U.K. medical system.  In the U.S. any M.D, can prescribe an antidepressant but from what I've read things are more constricted there.  Does your system allow you to have another M.D.prescribe the liquid?

 

Regarding making your own liquid and using the scale, many, many members have had great success with either method and it really isn't scary or difficult.  I've never done the liquid method, but many of the other moderators could help you with that.  I've tapered from 20mg Lexapro for to 0.7 using the AWS Gemini-20 scale and could walk you through the process of using the scale and making your doses and I could also do your tapering calculations for you.

 

Beginning at the beginning, we recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks.  

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

So your first decrease would be 10% of 5mg, which is 0.5mg.  5mg minus 0.5 = 4.5mg, which would be your dose for the next four weeks.

 

The following link is specifically about tapering Lexapro, including how to make your own liquid and also how to use the scale.

 

Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

 

So you have the information readily available, here is information on using a scale and making liquid.  Remember, if you get confused, all you have to do is ask here and someone will help you.

 

Using a digital scale to measure doses

 

And for liquid, please see:

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

Here's information on the Gemini scale.

 

The GEMINI-20 Scale

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.