What Are Lexapro Side Effects Facts

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How to discontinue lexapro and side effects question? Hello everyone I've been taking Lexapro 10mg for about 5 months and am kind of uncomfortable about the fact that I am taking this med. I wanted to ask if this medicine effects your memory in any way. Has anyone heard of this side effect of Lexapro? Secondly, because of the fact that my doctor got angry at me after I asked if I could quit, I thought i would give the internet community a try. How does one quit Lexapro healthily? Please share some of your experiences. It would be great help if the community can answer these 2 questions. Thank you.

aprilangel4 replied: "I just came off mine cold turkey. I had No side effects, but Im not saying u wont. Good Luck"

piepiepie replied: "If your doctor got angry, you should get a new doctor or wean yourself off the medication or quit right away and simply stop seeing him. I don't know what the half life of lexapro is, but I was taking prozac and remeron and just quit my medications 'cold turkey' I experienced headaches, but I don't know whether or not it was due to the meds, because I get headaches anyways. Perhaps just go down to what dosage you were first prescribed for awhile and then quit. Personally, I'd just stop taking them tommorow. Your doctor cannot force you to take medication without a court order and that's very difficult for him to get and impossible if you are not a danger to yourself or others. You could be a dellusional schizophrenic, but if you're not a danger, you have rights. Part of your rights as a possibly mentally ill person is the right to refuse treatment and/or medication. Chances are if you call and cancel your next appointment or don't even bother to show up, nothing will happen, so let the poor bastard get angry. He just wants your money anyways."

Sparkles replied: "All medications have side effects of some kind. Go to webmd.com and pull up Lexapro and it will give you a side effects list. I am coming off of it right now because of weight gain, but it is being replaced at the same time with Cymbalta. When you are coming off of a medication like this without an alternate medication, you take a huge chance of having greater anxiety or depression. If your Doctor is angry go to another one and explain you history and concerns about this. He may put you on another med. that better suits your needs. Don't give up because you have to find a med that fits your needs and body. Good Luck."

Danny replied: "Hi. compared to other SSRI's this drug seems to give the most problems coming off it. Take a look how this this person (source) did it. If you decide to stop -tell your doctor that you ARE going to quit and want he's/her help to do this. To avoid any complications the doctor is required to help you stop or refer you to someone who will. By not doing this your doctor is putting you in serious danger. -Tell your doctor what you want and ASK if he will help you stop."

chascel replied: "I've been taking 20mg Lexapro for over a year and personally have noticed problems with my memory. I have to write down lists and reminders constantly and even forget that I've written the reminders sometimes! It's crazy. I also feel like I'm in a "fog", everything seems to be dulled and not as clear as it once was. (If that makes sense) As for your doctor getting mad at you for wanting to stop taking your Lexapro, I would try to change doctors if it's possible. He/she shouldn't react that way. Your doctor should be there for you and help inform you of other treatment options available. Lexapro is only one of several SSRI medications out there. Chances are though, if you are uncomfortable taking Lexapro, you will not be comfortable taking one of the others. Been there, done that. I did try to stop taking the Lexapro and switch to Wellbutrin a couple months ago, but experienced terrible "electric shocks" in my head, numbness in my tongue and lip, dizziness and nightmares. I was also VERY irritable and had bouts of crying for no reason. I did some research and found that some of these were common symptoms of SSRI discontuation syndrome. I elected to go back onto the Lexapro because the symptoms were completely unbearable. If you decide to stop taking your medication, tapering the dosage is considered safer than just quitting "cold turkey", you are less likely to experience side effects this way. You can read about SSRI discontuation syndrome, its symtoms, prevention and treatment here: ."

What have been some Lexapro side effects? I have only been on it for 5 days and have had numerous different side effects and just curious what others have had and how long they lasted, such as the dizziness and upset stomach? thanks!

MetalHead replied: "I've been on lexapro for a month now. At first I had an upset stomach and it wore off but I've always had trouble getting to sleep since I've been on it but other than that it's helped me soo much with my anxiety."

itchyweed replied: "I was on it and it did nothing for me...I just nutted up. Zoloft is in the same family of drugs but works better with fewer side effects from my experience"

Paul A replied: "What you're experiencing are called "break-in" side effects. They go away after a couple weeks. They're kind of weird in that different people have different side effects during that time. I had really bizarre and vivid dreams that went away, thankfully!! ..."

Can lexapro cause side effects on and off as long as you take it? I've been on "the 'pro" for about 6 months now. I can't say enough about what it's done for my anxiety... but the physical side effects are annoying. Just when I think I'm past it, one will come back. Throughout the 6 months I've experienced forearm pain, chest tighness, blurred vision, leg pain, loss of appetite and sore knuckles (feel like I want to crack them all the time). I never had any of this before the Lexapro, but most people say the side effects go away after the first few weeks. Should I worry?

Jamie replied: "im on it also. i never knew how many bad side effects there are till a family friend noticed i take it- there have been law suits against the company. i dont have any side effects tho. i think u should go to ur doctor, whoever prescribed it to u, and tell them. if they dont seem concerned, dont worry."

John M replied: "Talk to your doctor. There are other meds you can try. Have you been on any others for this same condition?"

kat replied: "yep my late hubby was on it and he took it off and on. and it caused SEVERE mood swings."

mamabear replied: "Are you taking any other medications? The reason I ask, is that one of my daughters has trouble with mostly all medications--except Lexapro. She takes it every morning, and has had no side-effects whatsoever. However, when she was also taking Seroquel at night--she had a very bad reaction to that--and she woke up extremely groggy--almost like a drunk effect. If you are only taking Lexapro, you absolutely should get in touch with your doctor--as side-effects should never last for that length of time. You may need your medication changed--or the doseage lowered. You should not have gone on for six full months like this. Everyone is unique--and everyone has his/her own reactions to various medications. It's really important that you call your doctor."

mandi s replied: "i do readmit that you talk to your mental health doctor if you are experienced the physical side effects of the ;medication. i hope %pray that you get right to your mental health doctor."

zen replied: "well, I take Paxil now, but was on Lexipro. Both are really good meds. But, with both, I get the side effects off and on and I've been taking them for a year. Mostly, mine is severe nausea. And fatigue so bad I just want to crawl in bed and stay there. I get exhausted mentally and my body just feels like jello. Sounds like you need to try something else. I took Prozac and it made me see shadows and I was barfy ALL the time. There's so many meds out there that you should ask your doc."

Does anyone have experience with Lexapro side effects? I have been taking Lexapro for almost a year. I initially gained weight which wasn't unexpected but I can't seem to lose it even after this amount of time. Also, I am noticing alot of short term memory problems and word finding problems. Has anyone experienced similar problems?

extraex replied: "Yep. Note the law suits. Check your blood sugar. Change your med and then eat balanced and the weight will go. It is messing with your metabolism/hormones/blood sugar, causing the symptoms you are having. Sorry. Check out the Merk Manual online. My aunt gained 25 pounds by the time she was done and her doc kept saying it wasn't the drug until his other patients started doing the same thing. He took her off and her weight is back to normal with some effort. There are other effective meds out there. If you get sick of the side effects of your meds, note that research proves behavioral/cognitive therapy works excellent and the results are permanent, by the way. I wish you all the best. Sorry about the bio-chemical issues. Make sure you eat balanced food and lay off the sugar to get regulated in the meantime. Best of luck and life to you."

Joachin Murietta replied: "I lost weight on Lexapro. I felt brain dead, I also could not sleep, it totally killed my sex drive and I was unable to have an orgasm. I treated my depression by cutting down on alcohol, excercising a lot and some talk therapy. I WILL NEVER TAKE ANOTHER ANTIDEPRESSANT AGAIN!"

QueenOfTheDamned : replied: "i was on lexapro and i was on lithium, zoloft and zyprexa...they all made me feel brain dead, zombie like, emotionless....didnt work for me...tell your dr about it, maybe u can find another pill that will help....best of luck."

miami*vice replied: "i take lexapro too! i gained 20 pounds, without changing anything about my lifestyle. i dont eat much and i exercise. so i blame the 20lb weight gain on this stupid medication. when on lexapro i feel sleepy. i'm very emotionless and apathetic, and i don't laugh as much as i used to before i've taken this stuff. i've had short term memory problems too, with remembering homework and assignments. i don't even like to talk to people that much anymore, because for one i'm apathetic *and* i have trouble finding my words...... so you're not alone. i'm going off of this med, maybe u should do the same. is it just me or are *all* antidepressants just not worth a dime?"

How to counteract Lexapro sexaul side effects? I am taking Lexapro. But i am not that happy with lack of sex drive and anorgasmia side effect. Has someone been through the same? How can this side effect be overcome withouth stopping taking lexapro?

Caroline replied: "Adding Wellbutrin would probably help. You will probably have that problem with all ssri meds"

no-ones-beezwax replied: "i have been on lexqapro, paxil,wellbutrin,zoloft and the sexual side was present with all of them. i don't know the answer except to let you know that changing meds probably wont work. i do understand what you are going through, i am married these side affects are beginning affect my marriage and i am not willing to stop the meds, because my panic were coming every hour of the day. i had to come to the realization that sex was not that important to make me wont to go through those panic attacks again."

joshua_2002_2004 replied: "My husband is taking Lexapro as well and he is having the same problems as you are so you are not alone he felt better after i read this to him. The only way that we get past it is pretty much i do alot of kissing, touching in all the right spots. If you know what i mean i am not trying to be sick or anything but that is how we get over it. Hope you can get past it GOOD LUCK!!!"

How long do the sexual side effects of lexapro last? I've been on lexapro for a week and a half and i was wondering how long the sexual side effects would take to go away. Thank You.

Amber replied: "Sometimes they dont go away, I would give it a month and if you are still having problems then make an appointment with your doctor. Dont be embarassed to tell your doctor what is going on, then you can be changed to a different type of medication. It is the doctors job to make sure that your medicine is having good results, and that includes your sexual health."

colorofmoneyy replied: "are you worried about your sex appetite stopping? who cares about sexual side effects...beating depressiong has a lot more advantages then getting off does."

teebeesgirl replied: "I have tried several SSRI's for depression and anxiety and typically at the 2 week mark the sexual side effect starts...for most people it is the inability to orgasm and typically it peaks at the 2-4 week period and sometimes if you are one who gets that side effect, it does not go away. I am also a healthcare provider and you should not be afraid to talk to your doctor about other meds, some in the same class may work better for you (Zoloft, Paxil) or another class altogether like the older Tricyclics (Pamelor) Or if the issue is anxiety without depression, but some studies have shown it does help both, Klonopin. You then run the side effects of those drugs which can be bothersome too...weight gain, dry mouth, dizziness, etc... In any case, weigh the pro's and con's... Good Luck to you"

JoeyJoeJoe replied: "I'm on an anti-depressant. And I've talked to my doc about the whole sexual side effect thing. For me, my sex drive has gone down on them. And I can go for hours without ejaculating. It may sound good, but after a while, it's like, ok, I'm ready. Doc says for a lot of anti-depressants, that's just a normal side effect. It may never go away. Just seems weird to me that a drug that's supposed to make you feel better messes with your sex drive. Seems like you should be even hornier. But, that's not how it works. You may want to try another one, or give it some time."

What are the common side effects of Lexapro? I have been taking Lexapro for about 4-5 weeks now, and I know that there are side effects that come with it. But I would like to know what the common ones are. I've been experiencing really vivid dreams, dizziness and fatigue. I also would like to know if these last. Thanks for the help.

Barbwire aka bella.death replied: "I had really bad dry mouth, insomnia (still have to this day), and ringing in my ears. Check this out.--d04812a1.html Also, you should always check the company's website when starting a new medication. Due to legal reasons, they are required to provide you with information such as this. There's WebMD.com and Drugs.com too. Hope I helped!!"

wasacon replied: "Actually, the only I have found with no side effects for me, other than a bit of a drop in my blood pressure when I stand up too fast. Everybody is different, but at 4-5 weeks you should be through the worst of it. If it isnt getting better by 8 weeks, call doc. You may need to change, if you decide you cant live with it. Good Luck and dont give up."

Paul A replied: "Hi, A lot of what you're experiencing are called "break-in" side effects. When I started taking Lexapro, I also had very vivid and bizarre dreams - fortunately they went away with time. That should also hold true of the dizziness. The drowsiness and fatigue depend a lot on when you take the Lexapro. I found (by experimenting) that the best time for me to take my Lexapro is with dinner. I sleep a lot better, and I'm more awake the next day. If the drowsiness and fatigue continue, you might think about asking your doctor if you could add Wellbutrin SR to your meds. I take it - in the morning - and it helps get me going. And, you might also be able to lower your Lexapro dose, too - which also helps."

Joe S replied: "See this page for an answer: "

Dan's Angel <3 replied: "The only side effect I experienced was weight gain, but that was due to an increased appetite. Other than that the medication has worked wonders. I spoke to my psychiatrist and he added Topomax, this decreased my appetite and helped me lose most of the weight I gained. If the side effects don't subside within the next 2 to 4 weeks I'd say talk to your doctor about decreasing or changing your medication. That may be helpful. Good Luck."

What are the effects and 'side effects' of Lexapro and Seroquel? What are the effects and 'side effects' of Lexapro and Seroquel? My Psychiatrist put me on these two meds, and I don't remember what each was for or any adverse reactions I might have?

♥Did you REALLY just ask that?♥ replied: "I just quit taking Lexapro for depression. I hated it...It made me wake up at night, and if I didn't eat enough before taking it, it made me sick. Not to mention the whole 'sexual side effect' thing...UGH... Hopefully you'll have better luck!!"

Redgum replied: "The most commonly observed adverse events in Lexapro patients (incidence of approximately 5% or greater and approximately twice the incidence in placebo patients) were insomnia, ejaculation disorder (primarily ejaculatory delay), nausea, sweating increased, fatigue, and somnolence. For seroquel, the first number represents incidents under the listed side-effect for patient trials with the drug, the second number represents those given a placebo. Gastrointestinal Disorders ===================== Dry mouth 12% 1% Constipation 6% 5% Dyspepsia 5% 2% Nervous System Disorders ===================== Sedation 13% 7% Somnolence 12% 4% Dizziness 10% 4% Vascular Disorders =============== Orthostatic hypotension 7% 5% (High BP)"

Do lexapro sexual side effects go away after a Month use, and does wellbutrin work to counteract the effects.? Why do these anti deppressants cause sexual side effects. Do they lower testoterone levels,and how much does it take to lower testoterone levels. Whats the best thing you can use to couteract the sexaul side effects.

CrazyPants Magee replied: "I've been affected by lexapro in that way but as a female. Even after being on the medication for two years now. Wellbutrin gave me seizures (which I was already at risk for)...so I couldn't take that... but there are medications now that you can take to reverse the side effects, just talk to your doc. I just personally don't want to be on any more medications than I already am on... just tell your doc whats up. they'll know how to help"

What are some of Lexapro's side effects? I'm starting to take 5 miligrams of Lexapro. Does it have any side effects? If so, what are they? I heard it causes weight gain, is that true? And will such a low dosage cause weight gain?

pjcat77 replied: "I completely lost sexual libido, so I stopped, but it really helped with my sisters anxiety. She had a hard time stopping it. Had to tapper the dose, otherwise she got really dizzy at times."

Manda Paige replied: "nausea, anxiety, problems sleeping, loss of sexual desire, headaches, or dizziness"

JADE WIND replied: "That's the lowest dose. You can find out all you need to about Lexapro, by going to GOOGLE, and typing "Lexapro side affects" and hit search. My personal advice: Your doctor started you on this, and feels it's the right medication for you to try. It won't work overnight. Your problem took a while to happen, and the medication will take a while to kick in. Don't LOOK for side affects. Trust your doctor. If you feel "different" in some way, then tell HIM about it. Your body will need a while to adjust to it, and there may be some "changes" that take affect, mild side affects. Give your body a chance to try this new change....give it time to work....give it time to be "good" for you. Then, again, it may not be the right depression med for you. If you feel no change in your feelings, thoughts, emotions, anxiety levels, after about two weeks, then your doctor needs to know, and may increase the dose, or try something different. It will all take TIME and an ADJUSTMENT PERIOD. Give it a chance. You were strong, and asked for help, and your doctor is trying to help you. Don't check out side affects, because this will have an affect on you. You will subcontiously be "expecting" a side affect to happen , kind of setting yourself up. Not everyone has side affects. Side affects are just "possible." Concentrate on the possitive side of your new medication. Think about how much it is going to help you, make you feel better. Good luck! I will keep you in my prayers, and I hope you can pray, too, for a good, successful outcome, from this change in your life. = )"

Paul A replied: "I'm currently taking 5mg Lexapro at night, and 150mg Wellbutrin SR in the morning. I've been taking the Lexapro for a year and a half. The 5mg dose is the smallest Lexapro dose, and there are minimal side effects with that small of a dose - if you're taking it once per day. When you get into the larger dosages, probably 20mg and above, there are some side effects. It does take about six weeks for Lexapro to reach it's maximum strength - so give it a chance if you don't think it's working at first. Be sure to take the Lexapro in the evening, before you go to bed. That will take care of any drowsiness. When you get off the Lexapro, be sure to wean off it carefully. If you are taking the 5mg pills, cut them in half (get a pill cutter) and take the half-pills for a couple weeks, then take the half-pills every other day for a couple weeks, then stop. You can add an extra step of taking the half-pills every third day, but you shouldn't need to. That should eliminate any withdrawal problems from the Lexapro."

DEB M replied: "I had dizziness, nausea and yes I think it can make you put on weight. It will take at least six weeks before you feel any better. Some of the side effects do go away in a couple of weeks."

Gard23 replied: "Lexapro is more potent, milligram for milligram, than Paxil, Prozac, Celexa. So it is to your advantageto be started on a smaller dose than most people, since side-effects tend to be dose-related. Many people are unaware that the dose efficacy of Prozac was at the 5mg level (not 20mg) - the result is that the lower SSRI doses are often regarded as little more than placebo. Not so. Yes, there are side-effects. You may/may not be affected. The SSRI antidepressants do have the possibility of inducing specific effects, for which an individual should be closely monitored, most especially at the onset of medication and at any dose change... hopefully your doctor will have talked about these, and/or you received the appropriate literature. If you didn't get the literature, then your pharmacist can provide you with the SSRI information... or alternatively it is available on-line. One possible source is listed below, there are 7 pages of detailed Lexapro information (one lists the side-effects) and simpler consumer information, as well as the cautions your physician will have talked through with you. Alternatively the FDA site will give you the relevant 4 documents... and again, the effects to monitor yourself for will be clearly listed. You may show no side-effects what-so-ever, and have a thoroughly beneficial experience. The most likely ones to be experienced initially might include agitation, odd dreams, fatigue, nausea, appetite changes, sexual dysfunction, sleep pattern changes."

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