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Originally Posted by Ananas
Hi.
I've a question about Lexapro. Is it possible to build a resistance to it where it seems to no longer be as effective as it once was?
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Resistance is not really the correct word (it is more relevant to drugs such as opiates where the body literally requires greater and greater quantities to achieve the same result), but Lexapro can become less effective over time, or the patient can go through cycles in which the drug may variable seem less or more effective.
When it comes to depression, there are many factors that can influence how the patient feels beyond the agent and dose the patient is currently on. Common problems that can cause depressive symptoms to return include the use of certain substances, problems with thyroid functioning, an increase in stress, and relationship difficulties. As for drug use, cocaine and exctasy will ALWAYS result in depression hangovers, and extasy in particular burns out the receptors in your brain that allow the body to regulate depressive moods over time. Excessive alcohol use also causes depressed mood.
As for your particular case, you should reflect on any changes in your day-to-day living that might be related to the increased depressed mood. If you are not abusing substances, and you have not had an increase in stressors or relationship difficulties, then you might begin to consider whether or not the Lexapro is losing its effectiveness for you.
Lexapro is generally the drug of choice in the US for *mild* depression, because it works very well with minimal side effects. It is not considered the MOST effective agent, but it is very effective for most patients (as most do not have entrenched major depression), and it has fewer side effects than the "stronger" agents. For that reason, your doctor might suggest a dose adjustment rather than a different agent if you are not feeling better on your current dose.
Finally, a few questions come to mind:
How long have you been on Lexapro?
How long have you felt depressed? Has it been for most of your life, or a briefer period of time? Has it been due to a particular event (or events) that occurred in your life, or does it seem completetly unrelated to what is going on in your daily life?
I hope that is at least minimally helpful!