I just took a 20mg Lexipro?

Question

I'm not going to die am I? It's my mom's and I was having a panic attack, it's been happening a lot lately. My mom told me to cut them in half and only take 10mg until i go see a doctor, which will be on Monday. I dunno why I took 20mg. : /

Answer 1

No, you'll be fine.  For severe depression or anxiety, patients are sometimes started out on high dosages like 20mg.

Answer 2

From lexapro? God no. The amount of this class of drugs required to kill is absolutely staggering. It doesn't mean you won't have some unpleasant side effects, including worsened anxiety.

Also, Lexapro and other SSRIs do nothing for panic attacks unless you take them regularly for a period of three weeks or more. It takes that long for them to kick in, and you should absolutely -NEVER- take these drugs without the careful supervision of a doctor, preferably a psychiatrist you're seeing at least once a week while you find a correct treatment.