Can I cut my Lexapro in half?

Antidepressants that can be cut in half

Most antidepressant tablets are safe to split. Common examples include: Citalopram (Celexa) Escitalopram (Lexapro)

Is it OK to cut a 10 mg Lexapro in half?

Lexapro Dosage

The 10mg and 20mg tablets are scored and can be cut in half.

Is 5mg of lexapro effective for anxiety?

Social anxiety disorder: Usual dosage is 10 mg once daily. Usually 2-4 weeks are necessary to obtain symptom relief. The dose may subsequently, depending on individual patient response, be decreased to 5 mg or increased to a maximum of 20 mg daily.

What happens if you cut pill in half?

Cutting a pill engineered to slowly release medication undermines that intended delay. “Splitting this sort of pill can lead to the entire dosage being dumped at once — and that can be very unsafe,” cautions Dr.

Can you split a pill that is not scored?

Many pills that can be safely split have a “score”, a line down the middle of the pill, that allows for easier splitting. However, be aware that not all tablets that are scored are safe to split in half, so ask your pharmacist first. On the other hand, some tablets that are not scored can be safely cut in half.

How to Split a Pill in Half | Cut a Pill in Half | Nursing Medication Adminstration

What medications are not split?

What drugs are not split list?

Examples of products flagged as not recommended for splitting include most extended-release tablets, delayed-release (enteric coated) tablets, capsules (powder, sprinkle, and liquid filled), suppositories, transdermal patches, finasteride, and ciprofloxacin.

Does splitting pills reduce effectiveness?

Never cut pills with knives, scissors or break them in half with your fingers. Never split an entire supply of pills at once without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Splitting exposes ingredients to air and moisture, which may reduce their effectiveness.

Is it OK to cut pills in half ahead of time?

Don't split extended-release or time-release medication. Don't split very small or unevenly shaped tablets. Don't split the entire vial of tablets at one time—air degrades the exposed drug. Do split your tablets only as you need them to maintain potency.

How do you split a pill in half without a pill cutter?

Use a Pill Splitter.

Using a knife, scissors, or any other sharp tool could divide the pill into unequal parts, thereby reducing the efficacy of the doses.

Can Lexapro be cut?

You can take this drug with or without food. Taking it with food may help to reduce upset stomach. You can cut or crush the 10-mg and 20-mg tablets. You can't cut or crush the 5-mg tablets.

How do I wean off Lexapro 5 mg?

Taper Off Medication Slowly

The most effective way to minimize symptoms of withdrawal is to slowly taper off your medication. Tapering involves adjusting your dose by a small amount, gradually decreasing until your body gets used to lower levels of the medication.

Is 5mg Lexapro too low?

Dosage and strength

Escitalopram tablets come in different strengths ranging from 5mg to 20mg. The usual dose of escitalopram is 10mg a day. But your doctor may start you on a lower dose and increase it to a maximum dose of 20mg a day. If you have liver problems, the maximum recommended dose is 10mg a day.

Can you take Lexapro every other day?

Escitalopram is prescribed as a once-daily dose. Try to take your doses at the same time of day each day. You can take escitalopram with or without food. Please tell your doctor if you feel that you are getting worse, or if you experience any troublesome side-effects.

Is 10 mg of Lexapro enough?

Initial Treatment

The recommended dose of Lexapro is 10 mg once daily. A flexible-dose trial of Lexapro (10 to 20 mg/day) demonstrated the effectiveness of Lexapro [see Clinical Studies]. If the dose is increased to 20 mg, this should occur after a minimum of three weeks.

How do I switch from Lexapro morning to night?

If you are looking to switch when you take Lexapro (from night to morning or from morning to night), reach out to your prescribing doctor or nurse to come up with a plan to make the switch safely in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Which pills can you split?

Can citalopram be cut in half?

The tablet can be divided into equal halves. Treatment of depressive illness in the initial phase and as maintenance against potential relapse/recurrence. Citalopram 20 mg film-coated tablets are also indicated in the treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

Is it okay to cut Xanax in half?

Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.

Which antidepressants can be crushed?

Citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine or sertraline tablets

Can be crushed and/or dispersed in water, or crushed and given with soft food. The tablets are film-coated and contents may taste bitter or unpleasant.

What happens if you chew a pill that is supposed to be swallowed?

Crushing tablets or opening capsules which aren't designed to be taken in this way: Can cause serious side effects. May prevent the medicine from working properly. Could alter how the body processes and responds to the drug.

Which tablets Cannot be crushed?

Does 5 mg of Lexapro work?

It is concluded that doses of 5-20 mg escitalopram are effective and well tolerated in the short- and long-term treatment of generalised SAD.