‘How long does 5mg of Lexapro stay in your system’ is a common query among those prescribed this medication. Lexapro, or escitalopram, is an antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. It’s widely used for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Lexapro helps increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter linked to mood regulation.
Lexapro, also known by its generic name escitalopram, undergoes several pharmacokinetic processes in the body:
Absorption: Lexapro is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, reaching peak plasma concentrations within 3-4 hours. The absorption is not affected by food.
Distribution: Once absorbed, Lexapro is widely distributed throughout the body. It has a volume of distribution of approximately 20 liters.
Metabolism: Lexapro is extensively metabolized in the liver, primarily by the enzyme CYP2C19.
The main metabolite, desmethylcitalopram, is pharmacologically active but less potent than the parent compound.
Excretion: The elimination half-life of Lexapro is about 27-33 hours. This means that it takes approximately 27-33 hours for the concentration of Lexapro in the body to be reduced by half. For example, if you took a single dose of 5mg of Lexapro, it would take about 27-33 hours for the concentration to drop to 2.5mg.
How long does 5mg of Lexapro stay in your system can be influenced by several factors:
Age: Older adults may metabolize Lexapro more slowly than younger adults, leading to a longer duration in the system.
Liver function: Since the liver is responsible for metabolizing Lexapro, impaired liver function can slow down this process, causing the drug to stay in the system longer.
Overall health: General health conditions, especially those affecting the liver or kidneys, can impact how quickly Lexapro is processed and eliminated from the body.
Body mass: Individuals with lower body weight may experience a longer duration of Lexapro in their system compared to those with higher body weight.
Other medications: Taking other medications that affect liver enzymes can alter the metabolism of Lexapro, potentially prolonging its presence in the system.
These factors can vary from person to person, so it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized information.
According to the FDA prescribing information, the half-life of escitalopram (Lexapro) is approximately 27-32 hours. This means that it takes about 1.5 to 2 days for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body. Therefore, it would take approximately 3 to 5 days for 5mg of Lexapro to be completely eliminated from your system.
The duration that 5mg of Lexapro stays in your system can vary depending on several factors, including age, liver function, overall health, body mass, and other medications.
The elimination half-life of Lexapro is approximately 27-33 hours, meaning it takes about 1.5 to 2 days for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body.
It would take around 3 to 5 days for 5mg of Lexapro to be completely eliminated from your system.