How to Safely Flush Lexapro Out of Your System

Understanding Lexapro

Lexapro is an antidepressant drug prescribed to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The generic name is escitalopram, and it belongs to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of medications.

Lexapro works by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain to help regulate mood. It is frequently prescribed due to its high effectiveness and fewer side effects compared to earlier antidepressants.

How Lexapro Works

Lexapro blocks the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin into brain cells after the chemical is released. This leaves more serotonin available to bind to receptors and transmit signals between neurons.

Boosting serotonin improves communication between brain cells and helps regulate mood, emotions, appetite, sleep, and other functions impacted in depression and anxiety.

Lexapro Benefits

Lexapro is approved to treat generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder in adults. It can provide significant relief of emotional and physical symptoms such as:

• Depressed or irritable mood
• Loss of interest and pleasure
• Changes in appetite and sleep
• Fatigue and low energy
• Excessive worrying
• Muscle tension

Lexapro starts working within 1-2 weeks, with the full effects seen after 4-6 weeks of treatment. It has helped many people better manage depression and anxiety.

Lexapro Considerations

While generally well-tolerated, Lexapro does have potential side effects to discuss with your doctor such as nausea, headache, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. It may raise risks in children and adolescents.

Lexapro also requires proper tapering rather than abruptly stopping to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Close monitoring is important, especially early in treatment and with dosage adjustments.

Why Flushing Lexapro Out of Your System May Be Necessary

In some circumstances, you may wish to flush Lexapro out of your system faster than the medication naturally leaves the body. Reasons why you may want to expedite the process include:

Switching Medications

Your doctor may recommend switching from Lexapro to another antidepressant or medication class entirely if you experience side effects or inadequate results. Tapering off Lexapro first prevents any drug interactions.

Preparing for Pregnancy

Lexapro use during the first trimester increases risk of birth defects. Women trying to conceive may flush Lexapro out to clear it faster. However, always consult your doctor first.

Avoiding Withdrawal Symptoms

If you missed several doses or stopped Lexapro abruptly, flushing it from your system may help minimize difficult withdrawal side effects.

Passing a Drug Test

While uncommon, employers or law enforcement may screen for Lexapro use which could result in a failed drug test depending on the cutoff levels.

However, flushing antidepressants from your body requires medical guidance. Never attempt to flush out Lexapro without your doctor's supervision.

How Long Does Lexapro Stay in Your System?

Lexapro's half-life - the time it takes the body to eliminate 50% of the drug - is approximately 27 to 32 hours. It takes 5 to 6 half-lives to remove over 90% of a medication from your system.

This means Lexapro generally takes 6 to 8 days to fully clear based on the half-life. However, traces may still be detected for longer in screening tests.

Factors That Influence Elimination

Several factors affect how quickly Lexapro gets flushed from the body:

• Dosage - Higher doses take longer to clear.
• Duration - Longer use leads to greater tissue accumulation.
• Metabolic rate - Faster metabolism speeds elimination.
• Urine pH - More acidic urine keeps drug in the body longer.
• Age - Older adults may clear Lexapro slower.
• Liver/kidney function - Impaired elimination organs slow clearance.

How Long Does Lexapro Stay in Various Systems?

Lexapro clearance times vary among the different bodily systems:

• Blood - 1 to 3 days
• Saliva - 1 to 3 days
• Urine - Up to 5 days or longer
• Hair - 1 to 3 months

Hair testing can detect Lexapro use for months after stopping, while urine tests may show traces for over a week after the last dose.

Safe Ways to Help Flush Lexapro Out

While no methods can instantly eliminate Lexapro from your system, certain strategies may help clear it somewhat faster when medically advised. However, never attempt to flush out antidepressant medications on your own.

Tapering Off Gradually

Work closely with your doctor on proper Lexapro tapering based on your dosage, duration of use, and sensitivities. This avoids withdrawal symptoms and allows the drug to steadily clear.

Staying Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water helps dilute Lexapro metabolites and enhances renal elimination through increased urine output.

Exercising

Light to moderate exercise can boost metabolism and circulation aiding Lexapro clearance. But avoid overexertion.

Eating Clean

A healthy fiber-rich diet supports detoxification pathways in the liver which helps purge medications.

Being Patient

Allow time for Lexapro to fully clear your system based on the half-life. Using the methods above may accelerate the process slightly, but there are no instant fixes.

Note that common "detox" methods like saunas, juice cleanses, or diuretics are unproven and may be dangerous.

Safely Stopping Lexapro

To avoid problems when discontinuing Lexapro, work closely with your doctor and never quit cold turkey. Your doctor will create a tapering schedule to gradually reduce your dosage over weeks.

Why Tapering Is Critical

Because Lexapro alters brain chemicals, abruptly stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms as your neurotransmitters re-adjust. Tapering prevents this.

Potential withdrawal side effects include nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and flu-like symptoms.

Customized Reduction Schedule

Your doctor will personalize a tapering timeline based on:

• Your dosage strength
• How long you've taken Lexapro
• Any prior issues tapering medications
• Current health conditions

Slowly reducing in increments of 10 mg every 1-2 weeks is typical. Some may decrease by just 5 mg at a time near the end.

Closely Monitoring Progress

Your doctor will evaluate your mental health frequently during the tapering process. Dosage adjustments, temporary increases, or slower reductions may be warranted if withdrawal symptoms emerge.

Your doctor may also have you track mood and physical symptoms in a journal. Report any concerning changes right away.

Why Metabolites Cause Positive Drug Tests

Lexapro can potentially show up on certain drug tests even after stopping the medication. This is because tests detect metabolites - the byproducts created as Lexapro breaks down.

How Drug Metabolism Works

When you ingest Lexapro, enzymes in the liver chemically convert (metabolize) it into compounds called metabolites. Metabolism deactivates and detoxifies drugs.

However, metabolites can linger in the body and be detected on tests long after the actual medication clears.

Types of Metabolites

Lexapro generates several metabolites through liver metabolism. Two inactive metabolites, desmethylescitalopram and didesmethylescitalopram, are most likely to cause positive urine tests.

These metabolites get filtered out through urine excretion but may accumulate faster than they get eliminated based on dosage and individual factors.

Variable Elimination Times

Metabolites from a single 50 mg Lexapro dose may be detectible in urine for 4 to 5 days or longer with repeated dosing. Higher doses form more metabolites that take longer to clear.

Urine tests are more likely to detect residual metabolites versus blood tests after stopping Lexapro use.

Informing Your Doctor About Any Drug Tests

Always be upfront with your doctor about any upcoming employment, legal, or athletic drug screening. Disclosing your Lexapro use allows steps to be taken to avoid false positives.

Providing Proof of Prescription

Informing testing facilities that you take prescribed Lexapro and providing pharmacy records can help prevent misinterpretation of positive results.

Using Lower Sensitivity Tests

Your doctor may recommend using testing laboratories with higher cutoff thresholds less likely to detect low levels of metabolites from medications.

Checking for Specific Metabolites

More sophisticated urine testing can pinpoint the presence of actual Lexapro metabolites versus simply reporting a positive finding.

Allowing Time to Clear From System

If drug testing is a concern, your doctor may recommend spacing out last Lexapro doses longer before testing to allow metabolites to clear.

However, never abruptly stop prescribed antidepressants without medical guidance. Work with your doctor to safely navigate this process.

Other Potential Supplements and Nutrients

Some natural supplements and nutrients may support detoxification pathways and general health during Lexapro discontinuation. However, always check with your doctor before starting anything new.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Fish oil provides anti-inflammatory omega-3s that support brain health. Omega-3s may help smooth antidepressant tapering.

Magnesium and B Vitamins

Micronutrients like magnesium, B6 and B12 promote nervous system function. Deficiencies may exacerbate antidepressant withdrawal.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is involved in drug metabolism and cleansing processes. However, high doses may interact with SSRIs.

Adaptogenic Herbs

Adaptogens like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and ginseng help counteract stress and regulate cortisol levels disrupted by SSRI discontinuation.

Avoid pairing herbs with Lexapro without medical guidance. Interactions are possible.

Probiotics

Probiotic supplements support gut health and microbiome balance. This stabilizes mood and aids medication metabolism.

The Takeaway

If your doctor advises stopping Lexapro, they will guide you through a gradual tapering schedule to allow the medication and its metabolites to fully clear your system in a safe manner. While uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms may emerge, your provider can adjust the pace of tapering to minimize difficulties.

Attempting to flush Lexapro out against medical advice is never recommended. Be patient through the tapering process. Supportive therapies, a healthy lifestyle, and open communication with your doctor can ease the transition when discontinuing Lexapro or starting a new medication regimen.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.