Lexapro Side Effects
Wednesday April 19, 2006
Women's Health Forum: "My doctor recently put me on Lexapro for depression and anxiety. I noticed a lot of posts about weight gain and mood swings. Has anyone else noticed any other side effects from Lexapro?..."
Comments
I have actually lost weight on Lexapro but had gained with Zoloft, Prozac and Effexor. Yes, and I am more moody.
In addition to a low libido, does it just bother anyone to be touched, on the hand, the head. I find it annoying. I also seem to just do less – less exercise, less social functions. But that has always been with my antidepressants.
LISATX1 PRAYER JUST MADE MY BELLY JIGGLE, LAUGHING…KEEP THAT GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR..IT HELPS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HURTS MOST. I WOULD RATHER LAUGH THAN CRY AND NO ANTIDEPRESSANT IS GOING TO BE PERFECT JUST LIKE THERE IS NO PERFECT CHURCH BUT LEXAPRO HAS HELPED ME A LOT..I AM ON 20 MG FOR ABOUT 2 YRS NOW AND CAN SAY IT WORKS BUT IS NOT A COMPLETE ANSWER..I HAVE TO PUT A LOT OF THINGS IN GOD’S HANDS AND REALIZE HE IS MORE ABLE THAN I TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE SO WHEN LEXAPRO IS NOT CUTTING IT FOR ME, I CAN JUST RELAX!!!AND LEAVE IT TO HIM. I DO THANK GOD FOR GIVING SOMEONE THE ABILITY TO MAKE MANY MEDICATIONS WE DID NOT HAVE YEARS AGO.
I’ve been taking Lexapro for about a year and a half. It’s definately the best anti-depressant I’ve taken; however I have gained weight. Unfortunately it’s not perfect.
I’d suggest you reseach about the MAJOR weight gain from Lexapro. I’ve never taken an antidepressant before and my doctor never mentioned this. I had been at the same weight for almost 13 years and upon beginning Lexapro 6 months ago, I gained a quick 12 lbs and couldn’t figure out why until I did some online research. I have stopped Lexapro, despite the side effects, as the weight gain has made me more depressed than when I started.
I just started taking Lexapro, it caused my heartrate to increase and and increased in my blood pressure. I will not continue to take Lexapro because of these side effects.
I have been on Lexapro for 2 years. I have gained 50 pounds. I did not know why. From reading these comments, I am getting off of it for good.
I took lexapro for a whole 3 days. The first day was great. I was in a beautiful, happy place all day! Second day, not as good, but better than I had been. Feeling a little more distant and dragged down. Third day, I felt like I was completely seperated from the world and everyone I loved. I didn’t want to talk. By that evening, my head hurt so bad that I couldn’t even cry about it. All I could do was lay there quietly. I couldn’t talk. The next day, I was tired and my head still hurt. No more lexapro!
I just started Lexapro. I was on Prozac 20mg. and swung right into lexapro 5 mg. When I took it, about 30 minutes later I couldn’t stop laughing. I laughed for at least 40 minutes. Today, I had a hang over and headache. Going back to Prozac.
Lexapro has worked WONDERS for my depression and anxiety. I’ve taken it for a month now. However, its not without side effects. The most troubling I’ve experienced is total Anorgasmia. At the same time, I’m not at all experiencing a decreased libido…I just can’t reach orgasm, which makes it exceptionally frustrating.
Has anyone who’s experienced this found their anorgasmia eventually resolving while they continue to take the medication? Or am I doomed?
i’m surprised some of you have said you felt effects within a few days. the doctor and medication itself actually says it will take a minimum of 2 to 6 weeks to do anything! so perhaps the initial feelings you all had were psycological moreso.
the other thing to remember is that a side effect of lexapro is Anxiety…if you start off at too high a dose. so it can in fact make you worse (for those with panic anxiety)…so makesure your doc starts you off on a low dose first and then slowly build up to the higher dose. and don’t stop taking it even if you feel good! as you have to come off it slowly!
We I have been taking Lexapro for about 2 weeks and I have lost 10 pounds. HoweverI just can’t reach orgasm, I will hvae to speak with my doctor about this!
I have been taking 10mg Lexapro for about 2.5 months now. I have noticed a change in my ability to sort out issues in my mind, and I have actually experienced an INCREASE in my libido. I have no trouble reaching orgasm, either. However, I have gained about 15-17 lbs (which on a small frame like mine is astronomical) and I’m not sure I can handle that side effect. I seem to eat EVERYTHING in my path!
I’m beginning talk therapy this week to try to get to the bottom of my ‘issues’. I think it will be what actually helps me the most.
I have been taking 10 mg of Lexapro for about 8 months now. My sex “drive” is fine – but I almost never climax anymore. Like others, I have gained about 10-15 lbs. due to eating everything I see. Now that I know this could be a side effect of Lexapro, I think I can better control my eating. Although I’m not quite sure how to tackle my orgasm situation…
I have been on Lexapro for two weeks now and I have lost my appetite and feel tired alll the time,, I feel alot less anxiety and havent had any panic attacks( thank god ) But i seem to be more depressed. Cry alot more and feel really out of touch..
hi i have been taking lexapro on and off for about two years. was wondering if anyone have been having problems with their teeth? have been having alot of toothaches since ive been on lexapro
i’ve been taking lexapo 4 some time now and my biggest complaint is that i have memory loss from it… i gained about 10-15 pounds and my dr is now going to add welbutrin to it for the memory…
I took Lexapro for 3 years after my only child moved out (empty-nest syndrome). I was only planning to take it for the 8 months recommended but continued taking it because once I had missed a pill and I had a major anxiety attack. I was afraid I couldn’t stop taking it. After months of wanting to stop I consulted my physician and was told I could start weaning myself off of it by taking my pill every other day for a month or so, than every 3rd day and so on. I took the pill every other day for 2.5 months and finally stopped cold turkey a week ago.
I haven’t noticed adverse side effects but have noticed I think clearly and don’t feel spacey or like I’m in a fog anymore. I didn’t realize the effect it was having on me after all this time until finally getting off of it. I have experienced a considerable amount of memory loss…prior to Lexapro I was told I had the memory of an elephant. I am not sure but hope my ability to remember things comes back soon.
I feel quite well, taking vitamins and eating healthy. I notice I’m not as tired as I while taking it and don’t feel so ‘lost’.
I would not advise anyone stopping their medication without strict guidance from the prescribing physician.
I hope this helps someone considering stopping taking the medication.
Pardon me a guy leaving the note on the women’s forum but did want to share my view. My wife encouraged me to get medicine as she wisely knew I was depressed. Took Lexapro and within two days began to develop a sense of feeling like a zombie. I would stand in the kitchen and stare knowing in my head I had to do things but could not get my body to engage with my mind. I also developed extremely painful abdominal cramping and loose stool. Now you women are kind of use to the whole abdominal cramping thing… but not me! I could not take those two main side effects and took myself off after only 5 days. It took me three more days for the GI tract to resolve and the abdominal pain to diminish.
Ah, didn’t tell my wife I took myself off and when I did she laid into me, well… strongly encouraged me I mean to call my doctor for different med. Got on Prozac for three days now and have zero negative side effects thus far.
We are all different chemically so keep testing and find what works well for YOU! Even if Prozac works for me, it may be terrible for you. Take care of yourself and don’t give up.
Why would women be used to abdominal cramping? I assume you are talking about stomach cramping which is not the same as the occasional menstrual cramping some women experience.
Have been on it for 18 months. First few weeks were horrible. i had every side effect possible. I nearly quit every day for a month! I still don’t take the full 10mgs cos it made me spaced out and forgetful. I take 5mg one day and 7.5mg the next. I have lost 4kg. I have not had a major anxiety/depression lapse in about a year. Though libido and orgasm is compromised. I recommend sticking through the first few weeks. Taper on slowly if you have to and take the lowest effective dose. I don’t think it’s a one size dose fits all kind of med. Good luck!
I just started taking Lexapro 10 mg 2 weeks ago. The doc said it would take 2-6 weeks for the medicine to get in my system, but within the first few days I noticed a difference. I wasnt as jittery and was actually calm for once. HOWEVER I went on a MAJOR eating frenzy and have been eating everything in sight. In just 3 weeks, I gained 15 pounds. That is NOT normal!. Also, this medicine keeps me from sleeping. I am going to talk to the doctor and get off this medicine! I wouldnt recommend this medicine to people who are self conscious about their weight