What Happens When You Miss Two Doses of Lexapro

Many individuals who rely on Lexapro for their mental health may occasionally experience the frustration of forgetting to take their medication. Missing even two doses is a common concern, and it's important to understand the potential effects and how to manage this situation effectively.

Effects of Missing Two Doses

Missing two doses of Lexapro is not likely to significantly interfere with your treatment. With regular use, your body builds up a reserve of the medication, which helps maintain steady levels in your bloodstream. However, if you had missed three or four doses, you might start experiencing flu-like symptoms due to the decreased levels of the drug in your system.

Managing Future Doses

Here are some practical steps to manage your Lexapro dosage and ensure you don't miss any future doses:

Medication Dose Planner

Using a medication dose planner can be extremely helpful. It allows you to schedule and track your Lexapro doses, ensuring you don't overlook any. Keep this planner with you or sync it across your devices for easy access.

Mobile Alarms

Setting an alarm on your phone can serve as a helpful reminder. You can set multiple alarms if needed to double-check and ensure you don't miss any doses. This can be even more effective if set to both visual and audio cues.

Support from Loved Ones

Involve your loved ones or friends who can check in on you and remind you to take your medication. This can be particularly useful if you have a particularly busy schedule or tend to forget appointments and doses.

Rebounding from Missed Doses

If you do miss a dose, take action promptly. Taking your missed dose as soon as possible is crucial. However, do not attempt to compensate for missed doses by doubling up on the next dose. This can lead to adverse effects and complications.

It's also worth noting that if you have been taking Lexapro regularly for some time, you might not notice much of a difference. Your body has already built up a reserve of the medication, which helps maintain consistent levels in your bloodstream. In the event of missing a dose, your mind will likely still expect the medication to be in your system due to the buildup over time.

Immediate and Short-term Effects

When you do start to experience the effects of missing a dose, the first day might feel relatively normal. However, on the second day, you may begin to notice some changes. Common symptoms include a brief sensation of brain zapping and some brain fog. These symptoms are usually fleeting and should not last for more than a few hours.

The sensation of being "off" when you start taking Lexapro again is normal and should resolve quickly. After a few hours, you should return to your usual routine with no significant issues.

Personal Experiences and Advice

Personal experiences with similar drugs, such as Citrapran, can offer insights. Many people find that missing a dose for a couple of days, like with Lexapro, is manageable and does not lead to severe side effects. The key is to take the missed dose as soon as possible and not to double up on the next dose.

If you're new to Lexapro or have not been taking the medication as regularly, you may be more sensitive to missing a dose. For such individuals, the second day might bring more pronounced and lingering effects. However, these effects typically diminish and do not necessarily lead to long-term issues.

To summarize, missing two doses of Lexapro should not significantly impact your treatment. If you find yourself forgetting to take your medication, use tools like medication dose planners, alarms, and support from loved ones to stay on track. Do not be overly concerned if you miss a dose; simply take the missed dose as soon as you remember and proceed as normal.