Lexapro (escitalopram) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat:

Lexapro comes as an oral tablet. It belongs to a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It’s available as the generic drug escitalopram.

For information about the dosage of Lexapro, including its strengths and how to take it, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Lexapro, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Lexapro provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Lexapro, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Commonly recommended dosages for Lexapro are shown below. However, your doctor will prescribe the Lexapro dosage that’s right for you.

Lexapro form

Lexapro comes as an oral tablet. You’ll take the drug by swallowing it.

Lexapro strengths

Lexapro is available in the following strengths:

  • 5 milligrams (mg)
  • 10 mg
  • 20 mg

Typical dosages

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for major depressive disorder

The typical starting dosage of Lexapro for major depressive disorder is 10 mg once per day. (This condition is commonly called depression.)

In some cases, your doctor may increase your Lexapro dosage to the maximum dosage of 20 mg once per day. For adults, doctors typically wait at least 1 week before increasing Lexapro’s dosage. Do not increase your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so.

Dosage for generalized anxiety disorder

The typical starting dosage of Lexapro for generalized anxiety disorder is 10 mg once per day.

In some cases, your doctor may increase your Lexapro dosage to the maximum dosage of 20 mg once per day. For adults, doctors typically wait at least 1 week before increasing Lexapro’s dosage. Do not increase your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so.

Children’s dosage

Lexapro is approved to treat major depressive disorder in children ages 12 years and older.

The typical starting dosage of Lexapro for depression in children is the same as it is in adults: 10 mg once per day.

The recommended maximum dosage for children is also the same as for adults: 20 mg once per day. However, while doctors may increase an adult’s dosage after 1 week, they typically wait at least 3 weeks to increase dosages for children.

Long-term treatment

Lexapro is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Lexapro is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Below are some common questions related to Lexapro’s dosage.

What is the recommended maximum dosage of Lexapro?

The typical recommended dosage of Lexapro is 10 milligrams (mg) once per day. In some cases, doctors may increase the drug’s dosage. The highest dose of Lexapro recommended per day is 20 mg. No additional benefits are seen with doses larger than 20 mg per day.

If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Lexapro, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If it seems like you need a higher dosage, ask your doctor whether a dosage increase is right for you. Do not increase your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so.

Is there a typical dose range for Lexapro?

Yes, there is. The typical recommended dosage range for Lexapro is 10 mg to 20 mg once per day.

Doctors usually start at the lower dosage and may increase it in some cases. The goal is to find the lowest dose that’s effective for you. This helps reduce your risk for side effects from the drug.

For more information about Lexapro dosages, see the “Lexapro dosage” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can my doctor increase my Lexapro dose from 10 mg to 15 mg or 20 mg?

Yes, in some cases doctors increase daily doses of Lexapro from 10 mg to a higher dose.

For adults, doctors typically wait at least 1 week before increasing the dosage of Lexapro. For children ages 12 years and older, doctors typically wait at least 3 weeks before increasing the dosage.

Do not increase your Lexapro dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so. If you have questions about whether a dosage increase is right for you, ask your doctor.

What is the average dose of Lexapro?

The “normal dosage” of Lexapro for most people is 10 mg once per day. The recommended therapeutic dosage range is 10 mg to 20 mg once per day. (A therapeutic dose is the dose needed to manage a condition.) Dosages higher than 20 mg once per day don’t show any additional benefits.

To learn more about Lexapro dosages, see the “Lexapro dosage” section above. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you miss a dose of Lexapro, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose as usual. If you aren’t sure whether to take a missed dose, call your doctor or pharmacist.

Stopping Lexapro suddenly or missing doses may cause uncomfortable symptoms. To help avoid these possible missed dose withdrawal symptoms, try to take Lexapro at the same time each day. (Withdrawal symptoms can happen when you stop taking a drug your body relies on to feel like usual.)

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

The Lexapro dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Lexapro to treat
  • your age
  • your liver function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Lexapro dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may adjust your Lexapro dosage if you have liver disease or you’re 65 years of age or older. Let your doctor know if either of these factors affects you.

Lexapro comes as an oral tablet. You’ll take the drug by swallowing it. You can take doses of Lexapro with or without food.

You can take Lexapro in the morning or in the evening. However, it may be helpful to take Lexapro around the same time each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Lexapro can work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Lexapro in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you take more Lexapro than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. It’s important that you don’t take more Lexapro than your doctor advises.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of Lexapro can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Lexapro

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Lexapro. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

When you stop taking Lexapro, it’s possible to have withdrawal symptoms. These are also called discontinuation symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can happen when you stop taking a drug your body relies on to feel like usual.

Possible withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro include:

  • agitation
  • anxiety
  • burning, tingling, or electric shock-like sensations
  • confusion
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • irritability
  • mood changes
  • sleep problems

For Lexapro, withdrawal symptoms are more likely to happen if you stop taking the drug too quickly. Because of this, doctors typically recommend stopping the drug gradually. To do this, they may slowly reduce your dosage. Do not stop taking Lexapro until your doctor explains how to safely do so.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Lexapro for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Lexapro without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Lexapro that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Lexapro. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Lexapro. For information about other aspects of Lexapro, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison. To find out how Lexapro compares with Celexa, read this article.
  • Details about anxiety and depression. For details about anxiety and depression, see our anxiety hub and depression hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.