DISCLAIMER: iGuard is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. iGuard cannot and does not take into consideration every possible interaction or account for individual responses to medicine. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have before making any changes to your treatment. The use of the iGuard site and its content is at your own risk. The iGuard site and the information contained in it is intended for users in the United States and information in other countries may be different.
Global Patient Feedback for Lexapro (Escitalopram) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Lexapro has not and does not cause weight gain.I have been on it for 1year now.Infact i lost 15 on it.it is known to decrease your hunger.I also go for a walk 5 days a week.But i eat pretty much what i want.I can honestly say this is the first drug that hasn't caused weight gain.Keep in mind some people just may crave food non-stop and eat too much.Keep your calories at a wise count.Don't starve enjoy your foods.With depression some tend to eat more other's just don't have an apetite.Hang in there it's tough .But remember your in control.LJ FROM AZ
39 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-12 17:39:30
Answer/Reply:
It made me gain and I eat healthily, I exercised even more, and the scale would not budge or went up.
From what I have read, SSRIs stop your metabolism to a crawl, so it's like you are taking in about double the amount of calories than you are. The area that is affected for your mood, also affects your metabolism.
40 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-21 05:32:56
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking lexapro for several years. I've gained a lot of weight and continue to gain. I don't seem to be able to lose weight no matter what I do. I have been walking about 1 1/2 miles six days a week for two months now with no results. I know there is room for improvement in my eating habits but, as a rule, I try to watch what I eat. It is so frustrating. I, also, stopped smoking 7 years ago. I need to lose about 50 lbs or more.
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-28 19:51:28
Answer/Reply:
I have also been on Lexapro and Lamictal for atleast 3 years now....I too have gained over 50lbs..I cannot lose any of it and have to watch everything I do just to try to keep the weight gain at bay. It seems to have taken me a couple of months to really start putting it on. But when it did, I gained about 52 pounds. I have tried dieting & going to the gym and nothing works. I have spoken with my Doctor about this and he refuses to change any of my meds. I now have High Blood Pressure from the weight gain ( never had it before ). I am very frustrated about this and I am considering switching Doctors. I was on Paxil in the past and did not gain any weight on that.
Do you also take Lamictal ?
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-29 12:20:44
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
About 15% of iGuard patients report weight gain while taking Lexapro. When the dose is increased, the chances of side effects increases as well. Try discussing your frustrations with your physician and possibly a dietitian who can help you to make any changes that might be needed to see some weight loss.
Posted: 2009-10-23 13:32:06
Answer/Reply:
Just because it didn't cause weight gain for you ( which I am happy about ) does not mean that it won't for others.
I have not changed a thing since I started taking Lexapro and have gained 52 pounds in less than a year....I am frustrated. Nothing I do will take the weight off.
I used to take Paxil and it didn't cause weight gain for me, but that doesn't mean that it won't for others. Unfortunatly, I cannot go back on it, Tried to and it caused some major side effects !!
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-29 12:57:58
Question/Comment:
Ihave been on Lexapro 10mg for over a year and it really helped it gave me energy to exercise more and I lost weight. But stress levels right now are high for me and I stopped exercising and eating and gained weight. I take Ativan 0.5mg as needed to help with the stress. now am back exercising and am losing the weight I gained
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-31 12:16:36
Answer/Reply:
I have been on Lexapro since 2006 and it manages the anxiety/depression from my fibromyalgia. I find it is better if you take it in the morning. I have no side effects anymore. Stress levels are extremely high for me right now.
24 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-01 12:25:00
Answer/Reply:
Oh that's cool, what kind of excercises do you do?
38 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-01 17:32:57
Question/Comment:
For years I had been taking Ativan and Busporine for anxiety and panic. I weaned myself off of these two meds. Now, as a retired senior and caretaker for my husband, the anxiety started again, my doctor put me back on low dose Ativan which worked. I had to change docs and my new GP didn't like me being on Ativan as she said it was habit forming. (I had taken it previously for about 15 years with success.) She prescribed Lexapro which seemed to work, but still took .25 Ativan in the evening. I was also being treated with Synthroid for hypothyroidism and a nodule on my pituatary gland by an Endocronologist. When my TSH level was elevated, my Endocronologist suggested I stop the Lexapro as he thought it was affecting my TSH and T4 levels. My GP didn't agree with the other Dr's thoughts on Lexapro. Now I am waiting to see if my levels are in range after stopping the Lexapro - if not, my Endrocronologist is referring me to a specialist in Philadelphia. It's very confusing when two doctors disagree.
73 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-24 13:41:57
Question/Comment:
I take lexapro 10mg, wellbrutin XL 300mg and trazodone 50mg. I take the lexapro and traz at night and wellbrutin in the morning. I believe lexapro should be taken at night and yes they do put it on the bottle that it may cause drowsiness. Lexapro is for my anxiety and trazodone is to help me sleep because that is also when my anxiety is worse. The wellbrutin is for depression and a little pick me up to get my day going.
I have gained weight since being on lexapro. I have always struggled with my weight but when I buckled down I could eventually lose some and maintain. But since being on this drug I am at my heaviest. I had a max weight that if I get to that I have to do something and I usually could and not increase and sometimes lose. Now I busted through that limit and I am 30 lbs more than that and try as I might can't get back to it. I am trying to get pregnant so I know I will have to get off my drugs and I am quite concerned but I have to at least try for the health of my baby.
Lexapro does work for me but of course it has its drawbacks.
38 year old Male
Posted: 2009-07-13 13:15:23
Question/Comment:
I have heard nothing but bad news about this Lexapro---It said in the side effects, no weight gain-however, everybody here has had massive weight gain. I have taken Effexor in the past which is also a seratonin-uptake- which also caused me to gain weight. I am afraid to take Lexapro now, for fear it will cause weight gain also. Do I need to make another appointment with the same doctor, or try to find another one? (psychiatrists are hard to find in this city).
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-07 19:17:31
Answer/Reply:
I take Lexapro and haven't experienced weight gain. Zoloft is very similar to Lexapro and a side-effect of Zoloft is that you might lose a pound or two(no joke). The most important thing to take into account when deciding which anti-depressant to take is whether it helps your depression or anxiety obivously.
28 year old Male
Posted: 2009-07-14 04:15:33
Answer/Reply:
I've never had a problem with weight gain with Lexapro. I did years ago when I took Zoloft, but I've actually lost with the Lexapro.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-15 21:44:14
Question/Comment:
I'VE BEEN TAKING LEXAPRO 20 MG. EVERY DAY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. I'VE GAINED ABOUT 25 LBS. I ALSO HAD WITHDRAWAL SYMTOMS AT AN EARLIER TIME. IT SEEMS LIKE YOUR GOING TO DIE.I FINUALLY REALIZED I NEED THE LEXAPRO. I HAVE A LOT OF SIDE EFFECTS FROM IT BUT CAN'T GIVE IT UP. MY DIAGNOUS IS CLINICAL DEPRESSION. I'VE TRIED DIFFERENT ANTIDEPRESIONS MEDS BUT I ALWAYS GO BACK TO LEXAPRO. HOPE THIS HELPS OTHERS TO RECONIZE SIDE EFFECTS FROM ANTIDEPRESSIONS.
72 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-05 00:50:09
Answer/Reply:
I was told there was no risk of weight gain on Lexapro. Are you telling me you have a problem with this? I just started it after weaning off of Effexor after a year of taking Effexor and gaining 50 pounds (and no change in diet). I told my doctor that the Effexor was making me gain weight. He told me this should NOT be the case. After I stopped Effexor, I stopped gaining weight-but did not lose any either. I am worried the Lexapro will cause me to gain weight again-I'd rather not take anything than gain more weight. Let me know how this affects you.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-07 19:11:41
Question/Comment:
i am scared of taking medication. i had two people die from side effects on medications, i have two small children and i dont want to go threw the side effects i am on 1mg xanax and been on it for 1 year but it dont seem tot work so my doctor put me on lexapro to. im just so affraid to take this medication what if something happens to me? my fiance works nights and sleeps dorin the day so if something did happen he or noone else would know. should i just stop worrying and take it? im confused on what to do. i hate anxiety it so bad i always think theres something wrong with me and dont feel like doing anything. im always lightheaded and my heart always pounds out of my chest what should i do?
25 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-02 15:57:52
Question/Comment:
i have been taking lexapro for six years and i have gained alot of weight and it hasn't helped me at all it has made me tried and moody. i feel i need to see a doctor about my mood swings and i feel that person should't be on drugs for so many years like i am. there has to be another way for me. i don't want to live like this anymore. i am always so unhappy. can anyone give me some suggestins?
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-23 23:50:13
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Making an appointment with your doctor about your symptoms and concerns is a good first step. Lexapro is not a medication you should stop taking suddenly. Work with your doctor to develop a schedule for weaning yourself off the medication if that is the course you both agree to take. For some people, a chemical imbalance causes medications to be a lifelong necessity. For others, learning different coping mechanisms through counseling or therapy may lead you to the goal of living without medication. Also, a different medication may react differently with your body, so you may find that a different anti-depressant will help your symptoms. Before making any changes, please talk to your doctor.
Posted: 2009-06-24 17:46:00
Answer/Reply:
Hello, I hope you can find some answers that you need to help you. My husband was on Lexapro for several years and we starting looking in to alternatives when our little boy developed absence epilepsy and the meds prescribed him had toxic side effects. We began treating him with vitamins and chiropractic care. Since doing that we decided to get my husband off the Lexapro, he weaned himself off, approx. 1-2 weeks and began taking SAM-E, you can find this OTC in most pharmacies, we get ours at WalMart(approx $25-30 for month supply). He had headaches, moodiness, irritability, etc..and it has literally disappeared and he is like a new person. He says that it's like he's been lifted from a fog for the first time in years. Fish oil supplements are also helpful and good for your heart, my 7yr old son takes it daily as well. The Lexapro was supposed to be for depression/anxiety but he was always down, almost emotionless, hardly happy and tired all the time with headaches. His only regret was that we didn't do this sooner. I haven't seen him so happy or full of life. His doctor didn't think the Lexapro was the problem, but we knew after researching side effects for my son, then looking into my husband's meds that it was the problem. I found a neuro for my son that offers alternative treatment and traditional treatment, so there are doctors out there that are willing to listen and agree to trying other options. My husband's doc wasn't one of them, so we had to research and wean off the Lexapro and find the SAM-E on our own but it was worth it. I hope this can help you in some way and I wish you the best.
37 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-20 12:08:40
Question/Comment:
I have been taking lexapro 10 mg. for probably 6 years. During those 6 years I have doubled my weight going from a size 8 to a 22. I have had many surgeries including thyroid removal and ovary removal among other things during these 6 yrs. I have had no sex drive whatsoever for probably 5 yrs. I now have a broken knee and had been unable to get my meds filled so I ran out of my Lexapro and had not had it for 7 days when suddenly I became extremely sick. I have been really sick before but nothing like this. I had severe dizziness, brain shock waves every few secounds, low bp 90/50, low heart rate 50, I think I was fading in and out for hours, when I would come to I would have tears pouring down my face, I was extremely weak, I had periods of not knowing where I was. I had no help and if my mind could function I would have called 911. Somehow it came to me that I needed my Lexapro. I always have a day supply of my meds in my purse so I did find a Lexapro and took it. I slept most of that night but had extreme vivid dreams. The next day I was feeling a little better but still having brain tremors/shocks(?), weak, and just felt like I had been on a roller coaster all night. I was finally getting help and had someone to pick me up and take to er, however at last minute I had them take me to the pharmacist. To my relieve she advised me that I was experiencing withdrawls from Lexapro and I got my perscription filled. This is my 3rd day having it now and I am alot better but still feel very weak. I never seeked medical attention but probably should have. I have since looked up Lexapro withdrawls and am shocked of the stories. I am so mad. How can the docs put us on this medicine without warning us of all effects!!!!! I want on of this now before there is damage done to my brain but am scarred to death. I really believe I was close to death. I never want to go through that again. can anyone give me advise? Has anyone ever had this kind of episode? Is the longer your on it the harder it is on you? Please info please!
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-23 00:31:25
Answer/Reply:
There is a withdrawal symptom of taking any seratonin uptake medication, which I found out the hard way. You should not go cold turkey, you are supposed to wean off of it. The doctors don't tell you this. I am getting to my last rung on these "pills" also. I am about ready to quit ALL of them as I have had so many side effects
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-07 19:20:44
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
You are correct - you should never abruptly stop taking a serotonin uptake medication. These medications are best weaned down over the course of several weeks determined by your physician. There are several medications that need to be stopped in this same way. Before stopping any medication, please first contact your doctor to discuss the medications you are concerned about.
Posted: 2009-07-07 23:36:50
Question/Comment:
I started Lexapro about a month and a half ago and I have experienced weight gain and I can't seem to lose it. I have gained about 5 lbs in this time and I can't lose it. I am watching my eating intake and exercising and to no avail.
52 yr old female
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-09 15:22:54
Question/Comment:
I never knew to take the Lexapro at night!!!
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-30 16:21:51
Answer/Reply:
I have always took Lexapro in the mornings. Is there a reason for taking it at night?
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-01 12:35:37
Answer/Reply:
I started oiut by taking it in the morning. It made me very drowsy. My doctor apologized for not telling me to take it only at night right before bed. The only other side effect I have is the decrease in sexual drive. Also, when off of it for a couple of days, I get really iritable.
48 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-09 12:41:37
Answer/Reply:
You should never skip your prescription drug routine, especially with anti-depressants and any other mood stabilizer.
19 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-12 02:22:59
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Lexapro can be taken in the morning or evening. Some people find that Lexapro makes them sleepy so they take it in the evening when they need to be less alert. Other people report that Lexapro keeps them awake so they take it in the morning. Take it when it works best for you and keep to the same schedule.
Posted: 2009-06-16 01:37:26
Answer/Reply:
Have always taken this at night.
69 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-03 07:17:37
Answer/Reply:
62 YR. OLD MALE I TAKE LEXAPRO IN MORNING. AM I TAKING IT AT THE WRONG TIME OF DAY?
62 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-05 10:29:53
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Lexapro may be taken in the morning or evening, and may be taken with or without food. If Lexapro makes you tired or sleepy, you may want to consider taking it in the evening. You should select the best time of day for you and keep to taking it at that same time every day.
Posted: 2009-06-11 22:02:09
Answer/Reply:
I take mine in the morning, when I first started taking it I was taking it at night, but couldn't sleep, so I switched to the morning and it works great.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-05 20:02:02
Question/Comment:
Hi, I was on paxil 20mg for about 15 years. During that time I tried to get off of it once and it did not go too well. A few months ago my doctor had me taper off the paxil and start taking 150mg of wellbutirn. He was concerned about my weight gain over the years. The tapering worked but I started feeling anxiety so last week I was told to start taking 10mg of Lexapro at night. I take 300 mg of wellbutrin in the am. Is anyone else using this combo and how has it been working for you? I am concerned about the comments on this board about weight gain and Lexapro but it seems I need something to prevent the anxiety.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-26 21:50:46
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
The weight gain is a concern for patients taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin. With a regular exercise and moderate diet some of the weight gain can be decreased, although it is still challenging to lose weight no matter what causes the gain. Talk with your doctor about your concerns.
There is a more serious concern for this combination of the 2 drugs - using these two drugs together may put you at risk for seizure activity and it should be monitored carefully. Most patients do not have problems with the dose of Wellbutrin that you are currently taking. However, the seizure risk is higher with higher does of Wellbutrin - if your doctor increases your dose, you should be aware if this information and further discuss the risks and benefits of increasing your dose with your doctor.
Posted: 2009-05-27 20:50:20
Answer/Reply:
I have been on lexapro for about 6 years, I started out taking 40 mg now I am up to 60 mgs a day in the am. I have no problems with the lexapro when I first started and no probs with the 20 mg increase. I have been on many anti-depressants and this seems to be the best one.
54 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-28 19:58:56
Answer/Reply:
Hello,
I am responding to your question. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 1 in 2003. I had a dr who thought I was depressed for yrs and had me on wrong meds. Prozac,Zoloft,Depakote,etc... anyway, I had an issue with Prozac that put me into Rehab after Emergency Rm visit after trying to overdose on the prozac (this is when rehab stepped in and found it wasn't depression) Dr Ferguson here in Chattanooga,TN is my dr now. I have been to him for 5 yrs now and he has me taking 200 mgs Lamictal in the AM and 200 mgs in PM. I have anxiety attacks with the Bipolar but the other meds we tried didn't seem to go well, weight gain, mood swings bad bad issues. He has now put me on 0.5 mgs Ativan a day . It seems to work well as long as you take it like your dr instructs. Long story short, Lexapro made me gain weight. Wellbutrin made me have weird dreams ,Seroquel made me want to sleep all time, Trileptal was good until it stopped working. Abilify would be great (but costs way too much) so these are some ideas I hope someone can benefit from. I hope all works out for you. Take care
38 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-30 09:26:43
Answer/Reply:
Hi, I have been on all kinds of antidepressants over the last 20 years. I did my best on paxil, but I stopped and got on Lexapro. I am 43 and have a 4 year old son. I just can't handle the anxiety any more. I am not depressed just over anxious. My doctor just put me on 2 mg of abilify to take at night and I take the 30 mg of Paxil in the morning. Yes I switched back.. I can not seem to lose weigth and am noticing more anxiety. But it has been less than a week.
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-01 14:31:42
Answer/Reply:
I always had a problem with taking a second medication to counter the side effects of the first. It just seems that if you need to do that then the first isn't doing it's job to begin with. I know that's just my personal opinion but I'm in the process of slowly getting off the lexapro because of the anxiety and extreme fatigue. I have been on Klonopin for 15 yrs and the lex was added for depression I've always suffered from. Once I'm off the lex I will try going back on the old Tricylics, i.e.: imipramine, Pamelor since they worked for me for 14 years. They put me on lex after I lost my youngest brother in an accident. Said the Imipramine wasn't working anymore but I think that at that time, nothing would've worked for me. I just suffered a great loss. I'm sorry I ever listened and got on lex because it's the hardest thing I've ever had to get off. The klonopin works fantastic for anxiety. No weight gain and once the intitial sleepiness wears off, it's a miracle drug for me.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-01 10:45:19
Question/Comment:
I take 20mg Lexapro every evening. It doesn't make me drowsy, but I do notice side effects in my libido like other people on here who take the medictation have experienced. I've only been taking it for a few months, but I do believe its helping me with my depression/anxiety. I'm curious as to how many people taking Lexapro experience weight gain?
28 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-15 14:05:57
Answer/Reply:
Yes I have developed weight gain. I am also very drowsy when I take lexapro. It is very difficult for me to wake up in the morning, so I cut the 10 mg in half and take them in the early evening.
26 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-20 14:29:55
Answer/Reply:
I have been on lexapro probably six years and I haven't notice any weight gain. However, I know when I eat healthy and work out at least three times a week, I can maintain my weight. Finally, if I am not active weight gain can be a problem for me.
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-20 14:55:36
Answer/Reply:
I too have found if I am aware of eating right and exercise I do well on Lexapro. I have no problems with sleeping too much. It has helped with anxiety so much.
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-01 00:16:11
Answer/Reply:
I take lexapro in the evening. I do not notice any side effects in my libido at all. I have been taking for 3 years. It is helping with my depression/anxiety. I have had weight gain of about 20 pounds. I do exercise and watch my diet also.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-20 22:30:01
Answer/Reply:
I take 20mg Lexapro every night for 3 yrs. Lexapro has really helped me with my
depression and anxiety. I have not experience weight gain. However, I have
experienced libido side effects. Thank God, my husband is very understanding!
65 year old female
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-23 19:09:11
Answer/Reply:
I take 500 mg of Depakote in the am and 500mg in the pm. I take 10 mg of Lexapro in the am. I have no side affects. I am bipolar and 66 years old.
67 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-24 22:29:51
Answer/Reply:
I take the 10mg, and i take mine in the mornings.I have been on it for about 4 yrs now. I have gained weight but i am not sure if it is from the lexapro, or from going threw the change.
51 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-25 15:19:39
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Lexapro for many years and do believe that is why i can't lose the weight.
45 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-05 12:18:30
Answer/Reply:
I take 10MG
33 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-05 15:58:38
Answer/Reply:
I also take Lexapro , I am taking it to aliviate hot flashes after one year it hasn't worked all that well but my mood and anxiety are better.I have also gained 20 lbs in that year. I work in a clinic and talked to a pharmacutical rep and my Dr about this and neither seem to think it is from the medication, I however disagree with them. So as of now I have been able to decrease it to 10mg and have really been exersizing and watching my diet.. Lexapro works .
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-06 15:39:40
Answer/Reply:
Yes, we all do. It's the pits.
46 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-06 18:04:10
Answer/Reply:
Within a month of taking Lexapro I gained almost 15 pounds. Was not happy at all with that side effect, but after weighing the benefits of taking Lexapro, the weight gain was easy to accept. Have been on Lexapro for almost 6 years and it has not caused any more weight gain after the initial gain, thankful for that.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-08 00:19:55
Answer/Reply:
I've only been taking Lexapro for a month and seem to be gaining weight to some extent. But I am also not exercising regularly in the mornings like I was doing. My labido does seem a little down, but not as bad as with Prozac, which seemed to even make me more depressed.
You may want to try taking some Saw Palmetto, it seems to help me and Vitamin E. Both have antioxidant effects as well and are good for the prostate and Vit. E is good for the skin.
Hope these hints help some. Exercise does help a lot with depression and anxiety and will also help your labido. Hopefully you can eventually go off of the antidepressants and just rely on more exercise and vitamins to help get your through the day. B vitamins are also very good for depression.
51 year old Male
Posted: 2009-06-11 10:14:31
Answer/Reply:
I have been on 10mg Lexapro for about 5 months now and, fortunately, have experienced no weight gain. I have noticed changes in my libido, but the difference it has made for my depression has been worth it. I was originally put on Zoloft but after 18 months it no longer worked, especially for my anxiety. After trying Celexa and failing I was put on Lexapro. While Celexa didn't work for me and Lexapro did, we all have different brain chemistry so not every medication is going to help everybody (or not help) in the same ways.
19 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-12 02:29:42
Answer/Reply:
I have taken Lexapro for over 3 years and have never experienced any weight gain. I currently take 10mg in the morning. I started taking it for depression and anxiety. I tried to get off of it a year ago, but I became very irritable and moody, so I got back on it. My biggest concern is what I will do whenever I decide to become pregnant. Has anyone been on Lexapro while pregnant?
29 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-13 18:47:35
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Lexapro is classified as a Pregnancy Category C medication, which means that it has been shown to cause adverse effects in the fetal rats. There are no controlled studies concerning Lexapro use during pregnancy in humans - so we don't have good information about how Lexapro may affect outcomes of human pregnancies. However, not treating your depression during pregnancy could put your health and your baby's health at risk. Each patient's case should be considered individually to weigh the benefits versus the risks of continuing Lexapro and other medications during pregnancy.
Many women have your same concerns about antidepressant use and pregnancy. It may be worthwhile to talk to your doctor now, well before you plan to become pregnant. Together you can select the best treatment approach to manage your depression and reduce your worries about how to treat your depression if you become pregnant.
Posted: 2009-06-15 12:10:36
Question/Comment:
I am 42 and i have been taking depression med's for 20 years now.
and i have taken lexapro 10mg for 7years now, and it is the best one yet
And i take mine at bedtime.
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-28 16:04:34
Answer/Reply:
I am 31 and have a history of taking different anti-depression meds. I have to agree with you. They started me out on 20mg because I had been on Prozac at the time. Lexapro has worked the best for me by far. The only draw back was I had severe headaches for the first month or so... but as painful as they were.. it has been worth it. I take mine in the morning just because I want it to work through out the day for me.
31 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-10 09:01:32
Answer/Reply:
I am 46 and have been taking Lexapro for a year and love it. I take it in the morning, in the beginning it made me a little hyper and I still find I lke to talk alot which I don't know if it is really the drug or me. I have had some sexual side affects from it , but since it makes me feel better, i can deal with it. I have not experienced any weight gain with the drug.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-27 19:13:48
Question/Comment:
I am a 29 year old male that used to have a very strong sex drive. I've been on lexapro of about a month and a half the problem is that i don't have a strong desire to have sex anymore and when i do i can't "get off" my girlfriend is only 21 and she has a strong sex drive but she doesn't understand whats going on with me and neither do i. Maybe some can give me some advice or help me with my problem.
30 year old Male
Posted: 2009-04-19 23:51:36
Answer/Reply:
Hi 29 year old male.
I take Lexapro 10 mg and to minimize the decrease in libido and ability to orgasm I take a break from the meds every weekend. So my routine is to take my 10 mg lexapro Friday morning and then no meds on Saturday and Sunday (or take it Sunday evening). That really helps me and my marriage.
Lexpro has otherwise worked well for me.
I wish you all the best.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-27 22:37:08
Answer/Reply:
I'm a 54 year old male and have been taking Lexapro (20 mg) for several years. It is very difficult to have an ejaculation. My therapist has not been very proactive on this. One time I tried tapering off the Lexapro over a period of 2 weeks and had bad withdrawal symptoms (but improved sexual function). I'd like to try this again.
I'm glad that the 53-yr old female has had success going off the drug for just 2 days. I will discuss this with my therapist, but I suspect that the half-life of the drug is long enough that not taking it one or two days doesn't make a difference.
55 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-18 15:57:03
Answer/Reply:
I too am on Lexapro, along with Trazadone. I have been on trazadone for 20 years [I am a 50 year old female], then about 5 years ago, my doc added the Lexapro [20 mg. 2x a day. lexapro has been a godsend to me, my depression is finally under control!! However, I am also having problems with my sex drive! I had similar problems when I was only taking the Trazadone, but I was able to cope with it. Since the Lexapro, my drive is zero!! my brain wants it, but my body won't cooperate! my hubby is very understanding, but I feel guilty, & I know what I am missing out on!! I do 'take care' of him, but I can't take care of myself,which I always could before! try to stay relaxed, & ask your doc if there are alternatives. try fantasy thoughts too, reading erotica, etc. Good luck to you, & don't give up!!!
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-20 19:30:51
Answer/Reply:
I had that same problem when I first started taking lexapro. Those side effects eventually went away, and I returned to normal within a couple of months. Give it some time...you will get the ability back :)
34 year old female
35 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-21 14:37:03
Question/Comment:
Lexapro is a God Send. I have my life back. This is the best I have felt in 3 years. Thank God for this drug. I'll never get off of it again.
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-09 18:46:45
Answer/Reply:
I currently take 10mg. of lexapro. The first couple days I felt light headed, but after that it seemed to work well with no side effects. If your taking this medicine and still having some type of problem after a week, you need to take this up with your doctor.
54 year old female
19 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-22 17:24:32
Answer/Reply:
AMEN. I'VE BEEN ON IT FOR ABOUT 3 OR 4 YRS. 20MG AND WILL NEVER STOP TAKING IT....IT HAS NO SIDE EFFECTS AND WORKS WONDERS.
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-22 23:44:31
Question/Comment:
I was put on Lexapro following the birth of my last child - I was very anxious and couldn't sleep. I worked absolutely wonderfully for me. My doctor told me to stay on it for at least 1 year so I did and then last October went off of it. I had gone from taking 20 mg to 5 mg in that time. In March, I started having similar syptoms again and was unable to sleep. My doctor put me back on Lexapro. I started on 10 mg but I still had sleep problems so I upped it to 20 mg. I could fall asleep but then would wake several times during the night. My dr said it can take longer to kick in when you go back on Lexapro and gave me Trazodone until Lexapro started taking effect. I have now been on Lexapro about 3 weeks and have gone off the Trazodone, but the sleep issue is the same - I fall asleep but cannot stay asleep and have difficulty getting back to sleep. Does anyone know - will this subside as I am on the drug longer? Would cutting the dose a little help?
40 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-08 11:19:35
Answer/Reply:
Hello 39yr old female. I have been on Lexapro for about a year now. I have had the exact same sleeping problem. After a week or so I started taking my lexapro in the morning rather than night. Still I have the sleeping problem of not being able to stay asleep. I wake up EVERY night every other hour. This hasn't changed for me in the whole year so I do hope that since it helped you sleep before that it will start to help again. Good Luck.
31 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-10 09:26:54
Answer/Reply:
Reply to 39 year old female. After the birth of my son, I never was able to get a good nights sleep. That was 21 years ago. About 4 years ago, it was affecting my health where I was feeling extremely tired. Not sleeping all night was one of the symptoms. I am on Lexapro and I was able to sleep a little longer. Check with your GYN to see if you are in Perimenopause. Sometimes this is the culprit on top of mild depression. Part of my problem was mild depression but I also was in perimenopause. I am now in menopause. Good luck . . . I know how you feel.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-24 07:45:27
Question/Comment:
I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which is an anxiety disorder. O.C.D. comes with a lot of disorders, like panic attacks, claustrophobia and more. I had taken Lexapro for approximately a year and a half. I knew my disorder could not be "cured", yet it can be controlled. I went through counseling for quite a while and I learned to either control situations or to walk away from them in order to keep the anxiety at a controllable level.
I was so bad in the beginning that my dose kept going up until I was at 40 mg. I knew when the dose I was taking wasn't helping any longer and it needed to be increased. I am not sure whether or not I had negative side affects. I do know that I became less stressed and mellowed out during situations that would have freaked me out.
Lexapro saved my life. I was so stressed out that I truly thought I had lost my mind. I could not function in the morning without disinfecting everything in my home. This confused me because I had never lost control like this. I couldn't go out into the world. I was terrified of germs and crowded places. Grocery carts were off limits to me due to the fear of germs. I would silently count inanimate objects, like the lines in the center of the road, buttons and plaids on people shirts, and ceiling tiles. It was all endless and the anxiety from my anxiety just increased it all. Lexapro brought it all back together for me. I don't think I would have mentally survived that period in my life had it not been for my Doctor diagnosing me and prescribing Lexapro.
Once the situation that created this disorder was no longer a part of my life, my goal was to get off of the medication. I was able to decrease my dosage to 20 mg. and eventually I was weaned off of it.
I had gone back on Lexapro one more time since then and it was severely needed since I could not control the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Once again, Lexapro rebalanced me and helped me to get through stressful times. Once again, I did not notice negative side affects. I do know that if I need some help I will take Lexapro again if needed.
45 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-31 17:03:26
Answer/Reply:
Amen, sounds like it really helped you, Im goign to stay on it for my depression/anxiety but also I take an anti anxiety with it, and that really helps,
how much is lexapro out of pocket, do u know?
26 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-06 17:31:13
Question/Comment:
A question for people who experience nausea while taking Lexapro:
I just took my first dose this morning, and today have been feeling like I could gag easily, a little sick to my stomach at the sight of food and burping quite a bit. If you had these symptoms, how long were you taking Lexapro before they went away? How do you recommend I treat this side-effect?
~Stacey
25 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-24 13:05:53
Answer/Reply:
Stacey~
That affects me the same way. Make sure you take it on a full stomach. For me it leaves me very sick (nausea, faint, out of it) for the day if I take it with coffee. Everyone is different, you'll find your way with this product by trial and error as I have.
~ Dawn
40 year old female
41 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-27 17:56:44
Answer/Reply:
It may be the dosage your doctor started you out on is a bit of a shock to your system. I think my doctor started my on only 2 1/2 mg and then gradually increased it. My friend who is a pharmmacist and also takes Lexapro said that was why I didn't get nauseated. She had experienced nausea at 1st but said it went away after a week or so.
Hope this helps!
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-30 15:53:07
Answer/Reply:
take it in the evening.
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-02 22:11:43
Answer/Reply:
I agree; I take it at bedtime.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-20 13:21:22
Answer/Reply:
I take it at bedtime and that really helps.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-20 13:23:17
Answer/Reply:
take it in the evening
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-02 22:16:42
Answer/Reply:
I take a great deal of medication and vitamin supplements for a myriad of problems. I find that any and all of them can make me nauseous if I do not remember to drink a HUGE glass of water when I take them. To simply drink enough to swallow them is not sufficient. Allow your body to do its work, and the more pills to take, drink more water. Also, it does help to take them with food....except where otherwise directed. Some of mine require an empty stomach. So that is why I initially down them all with plenty of water. I do not want to return to the pill cupboard an hour later to take another pill!
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-17 12:26:52
Answer/Reply:
I am a 37 year old mother of three. With life always full of stressfull situations my Dr. recommended Lexapro. I am currently taking 20 mg of Lexapro per day. Do not take Lexapro in the morning. Take it before you go to sleep with a light snack (crackers, etc.) The sick to your stomach will never go away if you do not take them with food. Try doing what I do. It works for me!!!!!
38 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-20 14:29:27
Answer/Reply:
when I started taking lexapro i experienced the same side effects. I had to cut 10mg into quarters and slowly bulid up to the 10 mgs. i have been on 10 mgs for over 4 years now and it's been great. work with your doctor and stick with it the nausea will pass & the benefits I hope for you will be as they have been for me.
~Kathi
45 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-20 16:55:42
Answer/Reply:
Try taking it at bedtime. Works great for me.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-21 13:11:51
Answer/Reply:
I would recommend, eating when you take any medication. But maybe adjusting the time of day you take lexapro would help. I take mine at bedtime...only because that is the easiest time for me to remember to take it. I had great results with Lexapro, hate that its more expensive than some other similar medications, but well worth it....if it works for you.
29 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-22 16:42:31
Question/Comment:
Im social worker who woks fot the homeless. I have a client, who needs Lexapro but she doesnt have any income to buy it. Is there some way to get some medications for her? Thank you. Carlos
33 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-19 20:37:15
Answer/Reply:
She might want to try St. John's Wort....I took Lexapro , and Celexa (at different times) for years and have recently gotten the same results with St. John's Wort.
67 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-28 12:27:31
Answer/Reply:
Yes I wrote to the company asking if they had a program for people who could not afford to buy lexapro. I never got an answer. I guess they really don't care about us people who need the product. Theressa
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-16 18:20:50
Answer/Reply:
YOU CAN CONTACT THE MAKER OF LEXAPRO... FOREST MEDICAL. I FOUND A PHONE NUMBER ON THE INTERNET... 800-678-1605, X66297. THE DOC OR CLINIC SHOULD ALSO BE ALBE TO GET SAMPLES. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
BETH, MSW
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-17 08:14:02
Answer/Reply:
Ask your physician for samples; frequently they will give you quite a few, if they understand your situation. Additionally, as a social worker, you can contact the manufacturer and ask if your client can take advantage of a program they have wherein they provide free or discounted medications to those with an exceedingly low income. One more idea, is for your client to check out all organizations in the community that assist the low income: shelters, Free clinics, Food Banks, etc. Your client should not be afraid to contact churches in their community. Many of them can and will assist those in need, even if they are not a member of their congregation, parish, ward, or whatever they call their respective areas. Catholic Charities will sometimes be able to help, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will frequently help, and the Methodist Church has helped many people as well. Each community has different organizations; and you have to research to find out what is available in your community. Encourage your client to contact whatever organization honors Medicaid or provides public healthcare, and they will likely be able to put them in touch with someone who can help. Good Luck.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-17 12:19:52
Answer/Reply:
Contact PPARX.ORG. You can also contact the maker of Lexapro. They have a patient assistance program.
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-20 12:48:22
Answer/Reply:
That is really not good when someone needs medication and they can't get it. As we all know Lexapro is really expensive. There are some programs out their that will help. Wall-Mart may be a place to start. Also there some natural herbs that are not nearly as expensive. Saint John's Wort is one of them. I have taken Lexapro for about 4 years and it is really top of the line medication. I also at one time took St.John's Wort for a long time. It worked very well for me.
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-20 14:26:52
Answer/Reply:
CARLOS,
THERE ARE MANY PERSCRPTION GROUPS OUT NOW THAT CAN PAY FOR HER MEDS OR AT THE MOST IT'LL COST 10.00 FOR A 90 DAY SUPPLY. DOES SHE GET AND HELP FROM WELFARE? I HOPE I HELPED. CASIE
34 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-20 17:23:02
Question/Comment:
What time of day (morning or evening) works best when taking lexapro?
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-19 00:43:51
Answer/Reply:
I take my lexapro at night just before i go to sleep. it helps me rest and i dont feel tired when i wake up, i tryed it in the mornings but i was always to tired at work... good luck hope this will help you out.
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-23 21:59:11
Answer/Reply:
MORNIG
46 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-29 16:25:38
Answer/Reply:
my dr. has told me to take mine in the evening , usually i try to take it around 7 pm sometimes if i am busy i take it at 9 pm. that seems to work for me. good luck!
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-02 21:55:24
Answer/Reply:
I found taking it in the morning is best, otherwise it would keep me awake
32 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-16 17:17:18
Answer/Reply:
Morning was prescribed to me; and it works great. I find that if I get sleepy, it is because I did not get to bed early enough, I have some rediculously stressful situations going on that EVEN Lexapro cannot dissolve, I neglected to use my C-PAP machine for my sleep apnea, or some other explanation. I don't think Lexapro has ever caused ME to be tired.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-17 12:22:43
Answer/Reply:
I have been takeing it for over a year now and have found out that taking it before bed is best. It helps me get a good nights sleep.
43 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-18 12:57:15
Question/Comment:
I have been on Lexapro now for almost 3 months. I haven't felt any horrible side effects from the medication other than it does make me not want to sleep and stay asleep. I have horrible anxiety and the doctor said that this would help me out with dealing with that. My anxiety is so bad that I would wake up in the middle of the night in a full fledge panic attack and couldn't catch my breath. Doctors did sleep studies and all on me, to come to the decision that it was anxiety attacks.
33 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-18 14:17:41
Answer/Reply:
I am on Lexapro for reasons similar to yours. I had trouble going to sleep at night also. Then I started taking Lexapro in the morning instead of evening and have no trouble sleeping now.
72 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-15 18:07:18
Question/Comment:
I wasn't sure whether I would like this medication. I've used Prozac in the past with no problems and for the first two weeks taking Lexapro I experienced several of the side effects including jaw clenching at times (usually while sleeping). However, all went away by the third week and I feel great. I have depression and anxiety (my doctor explains it more as a post-transplant PTSD) and Lexapro has relieved both components.
44 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-09 04:27:05
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
hi im 28 and i ended up in hospital cause of anxiety and my doctor prescribe me lexapro 10 mg i started taking it and now for 11 days ,i felt weird in the begining but now my anxiety is pretty much gone but i have this weird feeling from it like i have something in my throat all the time....reading all these coments that everyone wrote make me litlle bit scared meaning how to get off of it i never used any medicine before this, and i have to take it for at least 6 months....soo anybody please tell me do you get addictive on it? and if my feeling in the throat is normal side effect? am I gonna be able to get off of it? thank you soo much .
28 year old male
Posted: 2009-03-12 23:47:01
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I agree. feel the same way.
Posted: 2009-03-17 11:01:18
Question/Comment:
Hello, I have been on lexapro for about 7 years now and there were times that I couldnt aford to get the medication for about 6mos, due to job loss due to brain tumor(noncancer). I have since them been on again and off for months at a time and never had problems. Except I always ended up going back on it for the fact it made me feel a little better as far as depression. but nothing I couldnt of lived with. So there is hope for some of you. I wish you all the luck, I've been were you are and feel for you . some one who cares
43 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-06 22:10:26
Answer/Reply:
I was on Lexapro for about 4 years and hated what it did to me. I had major depression, the Lexapro helped that, but made me feel like a zombie! I couldn't laugh, or cry, or seem to feel any emotion. I hated it!
It also made me gain a lot of weight and had muscle/leg pain.
I told my doctor how it was doing me and said I wanted to get off of it. He wanted to try me on something else, but I told him I wanted to try without any meds. for a while and see if I could maintain. He cut my dosage in half for two weeks, then one (half dose pill) every other day for two weeks.
I started 'feeling' better after the first two weeks and had no trouble at all after stopping completely.
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I've been doing well for over a year now, with no meds for depression.
Now I can laugh, cry, get mad, get happy, etc...
I was and still am on Xanax, so that may have helped me...?
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-09 00:34:33
Answer/Reply:
It is hard for me to understand that Lexapro made you feel like a Zombie but you can take Xanax. Xanax is one of the most habit forming medications and it only takes .25 to totally knock me out but I had no problems with the Lexapro. It helped me sleep, but mostly it helped with my hot flashes. I am trying something else now because my insurance says if I take this other medication it will save me $500 a year. I have taken Lexapro for 3 years. I have only been trying this other medication for a few weeks but would really rather go back on the Lexapro.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-19 16:11:20
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I'm so glade you are sharing your experence using Lexapro. I've been on Lexapro for more then 5 yrs now. I have a severe Panic Attack's with depression. It has been a blessing for me. I do have to agree it is so high priced and sometime's I've had to take other bill money to pay for it but it does help me function with very little side effects. I'm always glade to hear others hve success and they can go off the med's with success. Good luck to you.
Posted: 2009-03-17 11:23:19
Answer/Reply:
I truly wish I could be so lucky to be medecine free. I tried to not to be on Lexapro about four months ago. I was off for about 1 1/2 months. That was the worst I have ever felt. I had no ambition, no social skills. Thank goodness i was not suicidal or anything like that, however I was not my normal bubbly, full of life self. I do not recommend anyone taking themself off without doctor supervision. As soon as I got back on the medicine, it took about two weeks and i was able to deal with life's issues much better. I really am happy for those who do not need it!!! Good for you. :0)
Happy Girl!! 32, Texas
32 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-23 12:20:27
Question/Comment:
Ok, I am trying to get off of Lexapro. It was a great drug when I needed it. Been on it for a year and a half. I want to try life on my own again but this stuff is hard to get off of. Went from 20mg to 10mg to cutting the 10 mgs in half. Now I am out and I don't want to refill cuz I just really want to get it out of my system. But I feel wierd. This is day 4 of no pill and I am dizzy. My hands and arms feel strange. Anybody else feel these things trying to get off of it???
39 year old Female
Posted: 2009-01-23 18:24:00
Answer/Reply:
I was on Lexapro from 2003-2005 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had two very young children and needed help coping. Thank goodness caught the bc early and am alive and healthy now. I was taking 10mg daily, tried to stop a year later by weaning down to 10 mg every other day, then cutting it out. I crashed...got very depressed and had to go back on it again. I tried once again about 6 months later and got off of it successfully. Had to wean very, very slowly; took the 10 mg daily, down to 10 mg every other day for several weeks, then cut down to 5 mg on alternate every other days (for ex. 5 mg on Monday, 10 mg on Wed., 5 mg on Friday, 10 mg on Sun) for a few weeks, then 5 mg every other day for a few weeks, then 5 mgs a couple of times a week, then off. It worked. Never had any numbness. Perhaps you went off too quickly. It's tricky. Hope by now that you adjusted. By the way, I've been off for 4 years now, but I've decided to go back on Lex because I am now coping with menopause and pre-teen/teenagers and actually, am NOT coping well. Need the Lexapro to take the edge off. Now I know that I can get off of it when I'm ready, I have no problem going back on it. Actually looking forward to it, although I hate adding more medication to my regime. Thank goodness this stuff exists to help us through very trying times. Good luck!
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-01 10:24:27
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I do not recomend Lexapro for the treatment of Menopause, it's just a band aid. Menopause and it's symptoms, can and should be treated with hormone therapy, preferably, bio Identical hormone therapy (recently featured on Oprah). I highly recomend that women of all ages look into this very carefully, and be open minded about it. It may change your life for the better.
Posted: 2009-02-15 23:59:40
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I am going off of it as well due to weight gain. I was on it for PMDD but the weight gain was just too much so I have gone off of it and have not gone back to my doctor yet for something different. I feel extremely dizzy and I am really fatigued and irritated.
Posted: 2009-02-07 13:45:29
Answer/Reply:
I have been on Lexapro for about 2 years now and I personally see the difference. I once ran out of the medication and did not mention anything to my doctor until I saw her. I started feeling "weird" and she told me never do it again. You may be able to miss one but do not try this on your own. You need to be supervised by a doctor and the doctor will decide when and how much to reduce your meds. My depression is mild but Lexapro has helped me tremendously.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-11 10:18:01
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I understand what you are going through. I was left for three days without medication. I did not realize just how dependent I was on Lexapro for treatment of my bipolar disorder. I too experienced problems with my head feeling really weird and my limbs felt heavy. Fortunately, I was able to get my prescription problems sorted out. I believe you are courageous, getting off of the Lexapro but you may need to have your doctor's help in this because it needs to be done gradually. Good luck to you.
Posted: 2009-02-14 18:10:57
Answer/Reply:
Hi, I tried to quit taking med too, but I went through major withdrawals. I've been on several different meds such as Prozac for a few years, on Effexor for awhile then finally Lexapro. This really made a difference for me, just don't try to get off by yourself. Please check with your Dr. first. Good luck.
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-18 20:18:48
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I only take 5mg of the Lexapro a day. I tried to cut out all this past summer, but I couldn' t live life in a productive, joyful way. My doctor said I should go back on 10mg, but I have found that puts me in the zombie zone. I think 5mg is an acceptable dose to live life fully and to the best you can.
Posted: 2009-03-05 17:38:21
Answer/Reply:
When I quit taking it usually on day 3 or 4 I start feeling brain and body zaps like little shocks. Takes about 30 days to feel that it is out of your system. Remember this and other meds affect the neuro transmitters in the brain and that is why you feel weird because your body is re-adjusting itself.
40 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-06 10:35:48
Answer/Reply:
Are you on any other medications? Some times that might be the problem. I went off them for 6 mos or so and had been on them for about 7 yrs and had no problem untill about 4month latter, I started to feel a little more depressed, but nothing I couldnt live with. But on the other hand I also was taking prozac and cymbalta. But again I just stopped taking those to due to the fact i felt wheighed down all the time and when I went off I felt better and discoverd all I ended up needing was lexapro, but still time to time I go one or two month with out taking it and am ok?
43 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-06 22:15:35
Answer/Reply:
i'm on lexapro too and have tried to get off of it. i wasn't depressed and i didn't have anxiety. i just felt like i was being a real bitch, so my doctor gave it to me. now when i don't take it i experience the same symptoms that you mentioned. i found out that there is something else that we can take to gradually wein us off the lexapro. i am in the process of finding out and as soon as i do, i'll share it with you.
61 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-08 22:34:01
Answer/Reply:
I would recommend reading "The Antidepressant Solution" by Dr. Joseph Glenmullen. It describes a taper plan that minimizes withdrawal effects in most patients. I've been trying to go off the drug for a while now, and I am also at 10mg a day. According the book, the next step would normally be to go down to 5mg a day for two to three weeks while withdrawal effects clear. Then you can go off of it.
22 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-09 16:29:50
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I never felt tose things but i experienced unusual feelings. My doctor said you can have withdrawl symptoms.
Posted: 2009-03-19 22:46:14
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