| Key to ratings for lexapro: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |
| Rating | Reason | Side Effects | Comments | Sex | Age | Time Taken | Date Added | |
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| 5 | Anxiety | First few weeks I had scary anxiety that was more intense than my original symptoms, but that subsided. Constipation, difficulty reaching orgasm, decreased appetite, weight loss, excessive sweating. | I was so scared to try an SSRI/SNRI for YEARS! I would try one for a few weeks and get off of it just as quick. My pdoc recommended ativan scheduled 3 times daily for the first 2 weeks to take the edge off, and it got me through the rough patch to get used to the medication. The first few months I still felt some side effects, but now after 6 months, all I feel is great. I am happy, not on edge, I sleep like a well-fed baby, the orgasms are back (yay!), my appetite is back but not out of control, I haven't had trouble controlling my weight, I just feel like a normal person! I am so glad I finally decided to be brave enough to give it a fair try. | F | 31 | 6 months | 2/8/2010 | 4 | anxiety/frequent panic attacks | Yawning alot. sweating of the hands. I get the munchies a alot. very light headaches. The first 2 days I would get the chills. Weird thoughts and once woken up, hard to go back to sleep. Clenching of the jaw. | Overall it does help me with my panic attacks. The only thing i dont like about this medicine is that i get horrible thoughts and not wanting to stay home alone. | F | 23 | 6 months | 2/5/2010 | 4 | clinical depression | Dry mouth the first month and then later bouts of extreme thirst, I think it also gives me headaches and neckaches, but I am not sure because I was diagnosed with migraines previous to this medicine. The side effects I have experienced when MISSING a dose or more are: jittery-ness, dizziness and vertigo, nausea, swells in mood, overall awful feeling. Would not recommend quitting cold turkey. | I've tried quite a few antidepressants and this one seems to be the one that handles my depression and I can live with the side effects. I have been on this in the past and gone off of it several times, but I have come to realize that this particular medicine significantly improves my life quality. I am trying really hard to stay on it this time. Some people have mentioned that this medicine doesn't work for mild depression, just major or suicidal depressives, I disagree. | F | 30 | 6 months | 2/4/2010 | 3 | depression and mild anxiety | Dry mouth,yawning then feeling instantly sick, nauseus,difficulty sleeping, a little confused and spaced out but still alert at the same time,relaxed, migraine and trembles first day. All symptoms easing off especially dy mouth. | Obviously it's only been 4 days but i thought this might help others just starting. The symptoms look much worse in writing than the reality of them. They are mild enough symptoms and when you think of what the drug actually does there's bound to be some reaction in the earlier stages. I see an improvement with the side effects daily and i like the relaxed feeling. | F | 28 | 4 days | 2/4/2010 | 3 | depression/anxiety | poor short-term memory, increased alcohol craving, increased reaction to alcohol/blackouts, vivid dreams, sleep disturbances (talking in sleep), weight gain (15+ lbs) and decreased sex drive. | Not sure if Lexapro really helped with my depression and anxiety, fortunately have a good therapist and positive environmental changes. Side effects were apparent almost immediately (except weight gain which happened gradually, but drastically accumulated--never been this heavy before in my life). Added Wellbutrin to try to counter-act Lexapro side effects, but not doing the trick. Going off Lexapro SLOWLY at the moment, withdrawal symptoms( from missing a dose) very strong--brain zaps, dizziness, weakness and fatigue. | F | 32 | 1.5 years | 2/2/2010 | 3 | GAD, Anxiety | Backache & stiff neck, weight gain, no energy | At one time I was taking lexapro,welbutrin,geodon,ativan and ellivel. I suffer from allergies and high blood pressure so I take other medications also. About two months ago I had the flu and got off my meds while sick. I was fine for about a month and then started getting paranoid. My doctor put me back on welbutrin and lexapro only. I felt like I was going to explode, if I wasn't having a pity party I was telling people off. He then took me off welbutrin and put back on Lexapro and now I have a backache and stiff neck. I had this before but didn't realize it was the Lexapro because I was on so much other medicine. I spent money going to a neuologist and physical therapy for my aches. No one could figure out what was wrong with me. Now I know! Go figure! | F | 48 | 1/30/2010 | 3 | depression w/psychotic features | twice the anxiety, tremors in hands, the world looked "sharper", lots of worrying | turns out effexor works better for me. i was on 10 mg lex and 2 mg. risperdal. i was so anxious i was calling my doc almost everyday with worries. ;( wish he had taken me off of it sooner! | M | 27 | 1 months | 1/29/2010 | 4 | morning | nothing only weight | I am 20 years old. I use lexapro for two months i must say great anxiety and depression are gone. I found Lexapro online on google i must say great medicine also for young people. | M | 20 | 180 days | 1/28/2010 | 3 | M | 36 | 2 years | 1/28/2010 | 2 | anxiety, focus | Extreme tiredness, harder to concentrate | I was taking this medication to help with the symptoms of menopause ie. terrible anxiety, losing focus, feeling of impending doom and lack of motivation. It didn't help though. It seems like it made things worse. I'm starting wellbutrin today. Hope it works better. | F | 51 | 3 days | 1/26/2010 | 5 | Anxiety | Initial Nausea (gone in two weeks), Diarrhea (gone in one week), increased anxiety (2 days) headache before dosage (I take at night) this happens every day and initial headaches after taking it (one week or so) | Worked great for me, NO panic attacks and I sleep great! Anxiety is getting much better and I feel back to normal. All in all, very good experience with it. | M | 32 | 2 months | 1/15/2010 | 4 | Anxiety | Mild nausea in the beginning and headache. Long term weight gain. | F | 41 | 5 years | 1/13/2010 | 5 | depression, anxiety | Somnolence, Reduced Libido, Weight Gain, Munchies. All of these effects were very dose dependent. | This worked wonders for me. At 10mg I could fall asleep at the drop of a hat, anyone's hat. But it also gave me the munchies big time. A multiple marathon runner and triathlete, I still packed on a nearly irreversible 20 lbs in no time. It also zapped me of energy. I stopped swimming and had less desire to run. I cut it back to 7.5 & then 5 mg. At 5mg the munchies are mostly gone, I have energy to swim again and I feel like I will be able to lose some of the weight eventually. The libido decrease is there at any level but I seriously question whether it has anything to do w/the meds. If you're experiencing depression, that alone kills your libido. I have no problem living with the reduced sex drive. It's noticeable but insignificant compared to the greatly lessened depression Lexapro has brought me. | M | 35 | 5 months | 1/11/2010 | 5 | Depression/Anxiety | Sometimes prolongs ability to go to sleep. | Lexapro has given me my life back. Suffered from sporadic depression/anxiety for over 20 years, and had been in and out of counseling for about 18 years before trying lexapro. I had previously taken prozac and valium and had horrible experiences with both, so was hesitant about trying medication again. Life had literally gotten unbearable, so about two years ago, I decided to try counseling once again coupled with medication. I found a terrific counselor who prescribed me lexapro after informing her of my previous experiences with prozac and valium. I am now able to live a normal life. I had to give it time to work and find the correct dosage for it to be effective. I initially took 10mgs for one week...no effect, 20mgs second week...no effect, then 30mgs...worked and continues to work like a charm! | F | 49 | 21 months | 1/6/2010 | 5 | depression | possible decline in libido, I did gain some weight but my doctor put me on Wellbutrin which took away the hunger pains and I'm back to original weight. | I have taken just about every existing antidepressant and this is the first one that really worked and made me feel better | F | 46 | 1 years | 1/5/2010 | 4 | depression | nausea, hypomania, weight loss then gain | Lexapro worked great to bring me out of a serious depression. I started feeling better in a week. During the first few weeks I lost 12lbs, and had no appetite at all. Lately I've been starting to crave carbs and am gaining! I just can't stop eating, and feel awful when I get hungry (nauseous etc.) Lexapro also triggers hypomania in me, and gives me way too much energy if I take over 5mg. Overall, it worked great with the depression, but I don't know if I'll continue b/c of the weight issue. | F | 27 | 3 months | 1/2/2010 | 3 | Depression | incessant yawning, backache, could not reach orgasm | Worked wonders on the depression, mood and obsessive thinking | F | 37 | 10 weeks | 1/1/2010 | 4 | Depression | M | 63 | 5 years | 12/30/2009 | 1 | mild depression anxiety | Every single one . confussion, lightheadness,anger!!!no sex drive, numbness in my limbs,very vivid dreams, and only since getting off night sweats, hate this pill! | Took the drug after the death of my father, family members seemed to think it helped, i never thought so. Decided to get off cold turkey and I feel I am going crazy and the devil himself has taken over! I am absolutely miserable and don't know what to do! I will not take a nother one of this poision to get through I only hope I get my brain back...very dizzy with no memory, I am scared to death I will never be normal again. | F | 48 | 6 days | 12/26/2009 | 5 | Agoraphobia/Panic Disorder | 30lb weight gain (underweight to begin with), inital increase in anxiety, low sex drive/hard to achieve orgasm, hard time sleeping. All of these side effect have gone away (except weight gain). | After spending over a year house bound due to severe agoraphobia, Lexapro and intense therapy have helped me regain my life. I still have some anxiety, mainly around the PMS time of the month, but it's dealable. In the three years on Lexapro, I've had two panic attacks... that's MUCH better than the ten-a-day I was experiencing. As with all psychiatric meds, you need to give time for the med to work and it may be a rough start before it gets better. | F | 31 | 3 years | 12/22/2009 | 4 | Anxiety/Panic attacks | The main side effects I experience are daily fatigue and severe nausea when I forget to take my pill. | I take 10mg a day and occaisionally 15 or 20 depending on how I'm feeling. It has completely rid me of panic attacks. The anxiety is not completely gone but it does a great job at keeping it at bay. It does zap me of energy, but that is usually fixed with caffeine and a steady amount of exercise. | F | 23 | 2 years | 12/22/2009 | 1 | depression | tremors, migraine, eye twitching, mania, anxiety attacks, high cholesterol, joint pain | This was the first SSRI I had ever used, and initially it helped. The side effects were manageable but I constantly had to change the dosage to avoid severe side effects. I fluctuated between 25 - 75mg doses over my treatment and always had severe headaches and tremors. My GP also prescribed Prozac for a period to stop the side effects, but this only exacerbated them. I became completely resistant after several years and had to suffer through an extremely painful withdrawal in addition to the depression. After discontinuing this medication my tremors stopped immediately. | M | 26 | 6 years | 12/21/2009 | 4 | Depression | Trouble having an orgasm. What used to take 5 minutes now takes 15-20. My sex drive is the same and the orgasms are just as intense, but it takes a lot longer to get there now. | I'm on 10mg qd. This stuff kicked in for me by the 3rd day. It's fantastic, other than the orgasm thing. | F | 33 | 3 weeks | 12/18/2009 | 3 | Depression/Anxiety | Sex drive non-existant, headaches, facial muscle tension | 10mg dose is more than enough - if I take 20mg, then I feel zombie-like. Doctor gives me 20mg tablets, I cut them in half. | F | 42 | 1 years | 12/18/2009 | 1 | bipolar depression | dry mouth, nausea all day feeling sick, head ache, dialated eyes,spaced out feeling, yawning, cant sleep | so my doctor told me to try this drug. I have only taken one last night and feel so so so horrible today. I feel sick. My whole body feels nasty, my mouth is dry, I hate it. I wish it would end. I am definitely not going to take another pill if just one 10 milligram pill did this to me for so long. I just hope I feel better tomorrow. I never thought i could get side effects this bad. | F | 19 | 1 days | 12/18/2009 | 4 | F | 30 | 5 years | 12/17/2009 | 2 | Depression | Problems with memory. Inability to focus/concentrate. | F | 66 | 7 weeks | 12/17/2009 | 3 | Panic Attacks | No sexual desire whatsoever, very short temper, spacey at times, horrible thoughts | It did help with panic attacks which was great but I felt more violent and short tempered than ever. It made me affraid to stay at home by myself. I told my dr about my side effects and he changed me to Celexa and I am starting it today. | F | 28 | 5 months | 12/16/2009 | 3 | mild depression | delayed orgasm, weight gain | For the first six weeks, I thought this stuff had given me back my life, but then the side effects made it not worth it. I didn't feel so bad anymore, but could not really feel good either. My creativity started to fade away and I started feeling like I was getting stupid. It was difficult to discontinue. Took about 6 months to gradually ramp down. The withdrawal felt like having a kind of flu, and the depression was even worse than before I started taking it. | M | 51 | 9 months | 12/16/2009 | 3 | Depression, Self Picking/Injuring | Depressed, crying, hopelessness, suicidal ideation on lower doses. On higher doses depression was much better- felt good, BUT had strange dreams, night sweats, peed the bed once, and slept in a strange mummy position with feet together, on back, arms crossed tightly. Went back to lower dose, depression set in again. | Changing my meds to Prozac instead. | F | 35 | 4 months | 12/16/2009 | 3 | Major Depression, PGAD | SIGNIFICANT weight gain, cravings for sugary foods and carbohydrates, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, insomnia (always tired but could never sleep more than a few hours at a time) | I have a very severe case of major depression; have tried Zoloft, Abilify, Risperidone, and various hormone stabilizers, but so far, Lexapro is the only thing that has been able to take away all of my symptoms completely. Unfortunately, the side effects were so atrocious that I just could not continue to take it. I felt as if, while my mood was finally stable, my body was rapidly deteriorating. | F | 24 | 1 years | 12/16/2009 | 1 | post traumatic stress disorder | made my fibromyalgia pain worse, muscle spasms, fainting spells, agitation, depression, impulsiveness, suicidal thoughts, lowered my blood pressure too much | This drug made me so impulsive and depressed I just randomly tried to OD and kill myself. I spent a few days in a mental facility being treated like a prisoner, surrounded by people who are way sicker than I am. This drug also caused me to faint and have spasms which made my fibromyalgia even worse. Going off of this medication was hard, I had "brain zaps" for about 2 months, which basically kept me from driving because they zaps made me so dizzy. | F | 21 | 3 months | 12/16/2009 | 5 | GAD | Delayed orgasm, sweaty palms, stiff neck, occasional white discharge in corner of eyes | Euphoria the first week, after that it helped stop both anxiety and depression. It felt like as anxious thoughts struck, they'd melt away to some extent. Due to extremely stressful life situations, after about 2 months I find I need more help with anxiety. Lexapro however has been amazing, a life saver. Before I went on it I was hearing voices, and narrowly avoiding spending time in the ER. | F | 37 | 2 months | 12/15/2009 | 1 | Anxiety | Horrible Migraines on the medication. Did nothing for me except make me sick. Yet when I tried to come off it I had extreme withdrawal and the doctors put me right back on it. Now I'm stuck on a medicine that makes me violently ill. Migraines EVERY DAY. Nausea, Vertigo, spinning, brain zaps, spacey, fatigue. I can't wait till I'm off it someday and can feel normal again. I'd rather have anxiety sometimes then deal with this. | I was on a low dose until recently to combat the migraines they tried to increase the dose - BIG MISTAKE. Now all I want is OFF but the medication is extremely addicting. | F | 28 | 7 years | 12/14/2009 | 3 | Depression/Anxiety | I experienced low sex drive (almost non-existent), I was a little more irritable, brain zaps when you miss a dose, sometimes I feel foggy and hard to concentrate, incresed sweating, always yawing and always tired (even after 10 hours of sleep) | I have been on lexapro for a yr and a half and I am ok with dealing with all of those side effects except the lower sex drive. It has taken a toll on my relationship and I want o fix it. | F | 24 | 1.5 years | 12/10/2009 | 5 | Depression | Absolutely no side effects! Felt very energetic for a couple of days. I have taken many other meds, and Lexapro is the best for me! | I have suffered from clinical depression for as long as I can remember. Started out taking Prozac in the 80's; and I liked that one too... Due to pregnancies, no insurance, etc, I wasn't always able to afford anti-depressants over the years. I can go for about 2 years with no meds before I am so despondant and life is meaningless. This is my second time using Lexapro and it just keeps me "stable"... No unnatural highs or lows; no weight loss or gain, no lack of sleep or increase in sleepiness, etc. Depression is still a factor in my life, but I can ride the storms as long as I am taking the Lexapro! I have taken it off and on for over 5 years. | F | 50 | 12/9/2009 | 3 | depression/anxiety | Insomnia, loss of appetite, didn't improve my anxiety might have made it worse | think it has helped my depression and increased my motivation | F | 23 | 8 months | 12/9/2009 | 4 | stress, anxiety | dry mouth for the first few days. night sweats started after about a month. no weight gain or change in libido though, which was a big worry for me. | F | 29 | 3 months | 12/6/2009 | 4 | To treat anxiety | Over-alertness | Started off taking 10 mg every 12 hours, but as I got used to it I switched to 5 mg because I was waking up too alert and focused when I didn't need to be. This is a great medication which keeps you calm in times where normally you might panic. It also increased my gpa in college, where I graduated with a 3.5, wheras b4 I was getting C's and B-'s. I would say that anyone who honestly thinks they are getting panic attacks FROM this medication to honestly evaluate their lives because in no way does this medication contribute to the neurotransmission of anxiety signals. | M | 24 | 10 days | 12/5/2009 | 4 | Anxiety | Only in the beginning clenched teeth, trouble sleeping, night sweats, aorgasmic. After a year these subsided and now it's mostly vivid dreams (awesome if a good dream, but awful if a nightmare/tragic). Weight gain, but through not feeling motivated to work out. Also munchies in the evenings. Trying to control through discipline/increased exercise. Overall well worth it. No more excessive worries. Sex drive/plumbing working fine now. | Aside from the slight weight gain this has changed my life for the better. I half my prescibed dose of 10mg to 5mg to minimize any effects. I'm a "normal" professional who has always had a bit of an anxiety issue. A career change to a challenging/high profile position sent me to the doc for a little help. This works. | M | 36 | 1.5 years | 12/4/2009 | 4 | Depression | weight gain, spaced-out/zombie-like/"dream"-like feeling, sweating, increased appetite, sleep too deep. | This drug does help me. My life is easier, lighter, I'm capable of working out the issues that lead me to depression, when before all I could do was cry. I'm also taking vitamins that increase seratonin level in my body. Omega3, Flax Seed oil, 5HTP, B12. I started Lexapro with a 1/4 of the 10 mg, then increased it to 1/2; now I'm back to 1/4; eventually I'm going off of it. The reason is weight gain. I've gained 10 lb of pure fat in the past year. Literally FAT. I exercise, I eat healthy. Although, 4 months ago I quit smoking/drinking alcohol, after that I'm craving food all the time, mostly sweets. Sweating for the first 7-8 months was AWFUL. I felt on fire. I'd sweat so much, I had to change my clothes a few times a day. Nights were the worst, especially before my period. Now it's almost unnoticeable. Sometimes I feel zombie-like, like life is out of focus. I have vivid dreams, but I always had them & I enjoy them. The draw back is sometimes my life is so dream-like, while my dreams are so life-like, that I constantly confuse what I dreamed & what I lived. Sometimes I sleep so deep, that I can't even wake up to use the bathroom. I would lie there a little awake (mostly asleep), with my bladder nagging me to get up, but I wouldn't be able to for hours. When I do get up - I'm so drowsy, I walk as if had 5 bottles of vodka. Since scientists know very little about moods, mental issues, feelings, soul-ache, etc. I'd say there's no right medicine & they all affect us | F | 36 | 11 months | 12/4/2009 | 2 | For Anxiety Induced NAUSEA | Dry Mouth, 6 hr erections. | Has anyone else suffered from CHRONIC nausea for many years. I have had this condition for 6 years and have taken Lexapro 10-20mg for 4 of them. Cured the tears from the most uncomfortabel feeling in the world ut not alleviated the core symptom of feeling like chucking (worse in the mornings). | M | 45 | 4 years | 11/30/2009 | 4 | depression | fatigue and weight gain | F | 48 | 3 years | 11/28/2009 | 5 | Anxiety Attacks | No side effects at all. | It saved my life...literally. Without this drug I would have killed myself. I spent weeks in bed, unable to care for my children, and now I am living a normal, happy life. I had sever, awful anxiety attacks, and could not controll my body. Thank God for Lexapro because I am alive | F | 23 | 3 years | 11/22/2009 | 5 | anxiety panic | I HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS AND NOTICED A DIFFERENCE WITHIN A FEW DAYS (WHICH REALLY SURPRISED ME). I TOOK 5 MGS. I STAYED ON IT FOR A YEAR AND FELT GREAT. THE ONLY THING WAS THAT I GAINED 10-15 POUNDS DURING THAT YEAR. I ALSO TAE CRAPPY THOUGH BECAUSE I CRAVED SUGAR....SO IT WASNT THAT I WAS EATING HEALTHY. | I WOULD RECOMMEMEND FOR ANYBODY WITH PANI, ANXIETY, OR GAD....IT SAVED MY IFE | F | 28 | 365 days | 11/21/2009 | 2 | ocd | none | It didn't really do anything for me | F | 25 | 3 months | 11/20/2009 | 3 | anxiety/depression | I had the worst panic attack of my life 3 days after taking this- ended up in the ER-I knew it was a panic attack, but it lasted ALL day long- I kept up with the meds bec I thought my body was just getting used to it..I started to feel better, had more energy, but then I would feel dizzy and like, duh and paranoid from time to time. Overall, over 2 months, I felt a lot better 70% of the time. The other 30 I was paranoid but kept telling myself it would pass. I gained about 10 lbs, and suddenly became too paranoid to continue the drug. I contributed all of this to the lexapro- I was also taking geodon, buspar, and vistaril. I guess it wasnt for me. I have tried a thousand diff things- hopefully this pristiq I have started will be helpful for me. Im on day 3 so far. | I would watch for any sudden changes in mood, extreme paranoia, and sudden bouts of anxiety. The lexapro seemed to go back and forth between working really really well, to working, and then to just being scary. Its crazy how people react so differently to diff meds. | F | 32 | 2.5 months | 11/14/2009 | 5 | depressed and anxious about life | No side effects. I tolerate this drug very well. It works for me within 12 hours. I take it at night before I go to bed and I have no trouble sleeping. | I took this drug a few years ago after my mother died and I was feeling very depressed about life. It worked nicely for me, so I recently decided to try it again because I was starting to sink into depression. Lexapro helps me feel better about life in general -- not so dark, anxious and paranoid. It has changed my whole outlook and I'm doing much better at work where I was really floundering for awhile because of my depression. I don't feel "high" or unnaturally happy; I just feel normal, which is something I don't usually experience. | F | 59 | 10 days | 11/13/2009 | 1 | Postpartum depression | Tremendous insomnia during first four weeks (decreased a bit over time), coupled with chronic tiredness during the daytime. Night sweats and dizziness. Reduced libido and inability to orgasm. Significant and lasting weight gain. | Taking this drug was a nightmare on top of my difficult situation! If I weren't depressed before Lexapro, the side effects sure insured that I was. And, it did not noticably improve my depression! The worst side effect is the weight gain. I gained 22 lbs. in four months on Lexapro without any changes in diet or exercise. It has now been months since I stopped the drug and I have only lost 4 lbs., despite increasing my exercise and decreasing my caloric intake. Some research shows long-term damage to the metabolism, and my experience reflects that. I will not ever touch this drug again! | F | 32 | 180 days | 11/11/2009 | 4 | Depression/Anxiety | The first week the whole world was pretty much spinning, but that went away. There's a definite decrease in sex drive, as well as other sexual side effects such as decreased lubrication which is annoying, but oh well. | Works well. No panic attacks, and allows me to be less emotional without being a drone. Being back to normal is great. | F | 20 | 1 years | 11/10/2009 | 1 | Anxiety/IBS | Terrible insomnia, night sweats, nightmares, yawning, watery eyes, dilated pupils, muscle tightness, thirst, always hungry, groggy, dizzy, dysphoria | My doctor suggested I take 10 MG of lexapro for my anxiety [which has an effect on IBS]. I DO NOT recommend this medicine for anyone- the side effects are not worth it. It was suggested that I take lexapro in the evening before bed, since it makes you sleepy. From day one, I was not able to sleep, yet I had the urge to. My body began to ache from the lack of sleep. Yesterday was day 4 - I purposely didn't take the pill and I slept through the night. I felt much better, but decided to see how I'd react if I took lexapro in the morning. That was a bad idea; Within half an hour, I was yawning uncontrollably and fell asleep. I am NEVER going to take lexapro again. I am sure I can find a way to deal with my anxiety without drugs. | F | 22 | 5 days | 11/10/2009 | 4 | Depression | Dilated pupils, sleepiness, dizziness first few days, inability to cry, anxiety. | Overall lexapro worked really well for me. I started on the 10mg and upped that after two months of little change to the 20mg. Within two weeks i felt much better. As far as mood goes, i didnt feel any real highs or lows, more of a constant comfortable feeling. At times I felt very anxious for no reason and at different times in the day but these negative side effects paled next to the depression i was stuck in before lexapro. | F | 21 | 1 years | 11/9/2009 | 5 | brain tumor / aneurysm survivor | Slight drowsiness, cured by coffee ingestion. Zero problem with libido, but there is an inability to ejaculate despite raging erections. Just stay hard for hours upon hours, but as I've always been that way, there's basically no change... I just rarely ejaculate. very rarely, but when I finally do, it's copious, 'Sexapro'... indeed. | I Thank God for this drug. I'm hypopituitary and secondary parahypothyroid, due to an aneurysm. Needless to say, without a pituitary and thyroid, and after 2 neurosurgeries, depression was something to combat. Lexapro did it excellently for me and brought me 100% back to normal. SSRI's are the best, IMHO. feel free to e-mail for further info. This is a med I heartily recommend Lex to anyone who is either hypopituitary or hypothyroid and / or on cortef (hydrocortisone) which is essentially a depressent. Hope this helps someone in the same way I was helped. | M | 57 | 4 years | 11/8/2009 | 5 | Depression | 15 pound weight gain over 1 year...jaw clenching at night...yawning during day...deeper and easier sleep with vivid and pleasant dreams | Lexapro is all about regaining comfort and satisfaction with your life. I come from a long line of cigarette-smoking alcoholics (I rarely drink...but did smoke). I think the alcohol and cigs were my relatives way of dealing with the depression "gene" we all inherited. I have been on several antidepressants, but Lexapro is the only one that has given me back a feeling of calm satisfaction instead of the anxious dread I used to feel. I am really still ME...just a happier, more relaxed, if somewhat plumper me. Maybe there are many different brain-chemistry reasons for depression, and if so, I KNOW Lexapro works for the one that causes people to become alcoholics and die-hard cigarette smokers. Lexapro maybe be a lifetime fix for my genetic "gift" of depression. | F | 43 | 2 years | 11/8/2009 | 4 | Anxiety | Biggest and ultimately intolerable side effects were sexual- inability to achieve orgasm and overall decrease in sex drive. Also alot of yawning. | Lexapro worked well and quickly (within a week) to help allieviate my anxiety. Unfortunately, its sexual side effects forced me to switch off it after two months- now trying Cymbalta and hoping for better results. | F | 38 | 2 months | 11/6/2009 | 5 | GAD | The first 3-4 weeks are difficult, with hot flashes, dizziness and worse anxiety, but now after 2 months on Lexapro, I feel like my normal self again most of the time and am SO happy about that! I was on this for two years and gained some weight in my gut, so I weaned myself off (which despite what you read, if you do it very slowly, is not that bad and totally do-able), but after two months was a mess again so went back on. | F | 38 | 2.5 months | 11/3/2009 | 4 | Depression and GAD | teeth grinding trouble sleeping | some days are better then other but for the most part it is working ok but could be better going to see doc in 2 weeks will see about moving up to 20 mg | M | 47 | 8 months | 10/30/2009 | 3 | GAD/Social Anxiety | Fatigue | Began taking a week ago at 10mg and did not read all these side effects but have not felt anything except a little more tired in the day. I am also on Sotalol for my heart and this may also cause tiredness. Anxiety so far seems slightly less but being patient and hopefully will get greater effect in another few weeks. Also will hope for no other side effects. Medicines in general dont bother me. | M | 39 | 8 days | 10/23/2009 | 4 | anxiety, depression | decreased libido, dry mouth, sleepiness, numbs emotions-which isn't always bad. | have taken 2 yrs now. started at 15,now down to 10 2x/wk, 5 4x/wk and none on sunday. Started tapering 14 months ago-doing it slow. There are still some withdrawal effects but nothing serious. It seems to take 3-4 wks for body to adjust to new dosage. sexual side effects still there-maybe a little better at lower dosage. If i had to do over again I would still take it. No more panic attacks. | M | 39 | 10/22/2009 | 5 | Bipolar depression | I had minimal side effects starting it, and none to speak of now. It seems to be a very easy drug side effect wise. | Out of the antidepressants I've tried, the lexapro was the best at stopping the depression, while still leaving my personality mostly untouched. I can't take more than 7.5mg without getting very manic....but the lexapro combined with 10mg zyprexa makes a VERY nice 1 2 punch ;) Overall its worked very well for me :) | M | 46 | 3 years | 10/21/2009 | 4 | GAD | Yawning and low sex drive. | I have now been on Lex for 2 months. Overall it has been very helpful for GAD. I don't constantly fret over terrible things that COULD happen. In fact, for the most part those thoughts kind of melt away as soon as they start. I also experience what I call the "lexaflow" - occasional feelings of well being that kind of wash over me. I'm not sure why that happens but I like it! Lexapro has been great for taking the anxiety edge off. Additionally, it's made me a little more assertive. I'm less prone to worrying about how others will react when I speak my mind. On the icky side, it has NO effect on PMS. I was hoping it would ease my PMS symptoms! In fact, when my PMS kicks in I feel as if the Lex is not working at all. Also, I have an almost complete and total lack of sex drive. Not good for my hubby. But, the overall relief from intense and constant anxiety is really worth it for me. | F | 39 | 2 months | 10/19/2009 | 3 | Anxiety/ Depression | Dry mouth, jaw clenching, teeth grinding. Increased sex drive with no ability to orgasm. Shakes, hot flashes. Possibly getting laryngitis as I sound like I'm losing my voice or hoarse. First noticed hoarse voice on the third day of taking it. | Aside from the side affects, it really has helped with anxiety and depression. I am usually talkative, but haven't been talking much since I've been on this medicine. I feel a lot better on the medicine than off of it. | M | 30 | 4 days | 10/16/2009 | 4 | Anxiety/Depression | Weight gain, never feel full, vivid dreams, shakes, cold sweats | It has helped me quite a bit (better than Paxil, which the side affects were 10 times worse for me) I have emergency Xanax incase I have a sever panick attach but only .25 mg. I just hate the weight gain. | F | 25 | 3 weeks | 10/12/2009 | 3 | Depression | Negative: Excessive Teeth Grinding (my molars are permanently damaged) Acting out in dreams during the first few weeks. I awoke hitting the bed in a dream anger fit. (I am glad my husband was not there) Some weight gain even though I had more energy and was working out more. Postive: Depression was lessoned but I can not handle the teeth grinding or night guard. My now teeth hurt all day everyday. I am slowly trying to ween myself off. | The symptoms are not worth it for a low grade clinical depression. I would only recommend it for suicidal type depression. | F | 39 | 3 months | 10/12/2009 | 2 | Anxiety / Stess | 20 mg. Loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, mild head aches, restlessness, loss of libido, intolerance to heat, night sweats, vivid dreams. I'm on my third week and all of the above have gotten much better. | Do NOT drink in excess with this medication. I was alone this past Saturday night and had about 3 to 4 glasses of wine while watching a movie. I had a what I call a mental breakdown. I felt compelled to bang my head on the wall continuosly. This sounds kind of funny but it did happen. I called my GF in a panic but, she managed to calm me down she was close to calling 911. Talk about total loss of control. | M | 36 | 3 weeks | 10/12/2009 | 4 | Depression and anxiety | May have intensified cravings for sweets/carbs, but I had the cravings before lexapro | I've been taking 5mg lexapro every day for 3 years. It has really allowed me to relax and enjoy my life and family. I tried dose holidays and it really didn't work for me. 5mg/day works | M | 47 | 3 years | 10/11/2009 | 5 | Depression and Anxiety | increased anxiety, sleeplessness, increased appetite, increased sensitivity, BUT only for first few weeks of upping dosage | I have been on all kinds of medications for 10+ years. I am also VERY sensitive to drugs and any side effects, I always have to start off on very low dosages. I had a very bad experience with Celexa so my Dr suggested Lexapro as it's better tolerated. I started off with 10mg which was ok but now that I'm on 20 I feel SO much BETTER. Yes, the first few weeks weren't easy. Honestly, reading any negative reviews on a medication won't help you either...been there, done that and it only makes you more aware of any bad reactions. I have to say so far, so good, well GREAT. It's 3 weeks going on 4 of the 20mg dosage and I actually feel "semi-normal" if that makes any sense. I feel hopeful and positive on a more daily basis. My depression is at an all-time low and my anxiety getting better...I have relied on Xanax to calm my panic attacks and now slowly weaning off of it due to the Lexapro! I sure hope this lasts...it's feels so good to finally feel like life is worth living!!!!!!! | F | 35 | 2 years | 10/10/2009 | 4 | bipolar/depressd | M | 21 | 4 years | 10/8/2009 | 2 | Anxity/Depression | Foggyness,painful muscle tightness,constipation,weight gain,dizzieness,headache,sweating,skin rash pimple like sores on my scalp very painful. | This was a mood stabilizer I was mellow but intense side effects I could not handle I was on this for two months and and gained 18 pds when I tried to get off it cold turkey (Big mistake) I should have tapered off slowly I had veritgo and shakes for two days after stopping this drug on the third day I took a pill and it all went away so slowly weaned off and went on Welbutrin XR been on this for a week and so far I feel great. | F | 44 | 2 months | 10/7/2009 | 5 | Severe pani/ Anxiety | NONE whatsoever, expect for gaining 15 pounds over the course of a year | MY ANXIETY WAS G-O-N-E-...GONE! IT WAS WORTH THE 15 POUNDS BECAUSE I GOT MY LIFE BACK. WORKED FAST AND HAD NO SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS OR ANYTHING ELSE! | F | 32 | 365 days | 10/6/2009 | 1 | GAD | Fatigue, low libido, inability to orgasm, forgetfulness, memory loss, excessive sleeping, inability to concentrate on anything, not feeling happy or sad over things, inability to cry, weight gain, sugar and carbohydrate cravings, never feeling full, overeating, tingling sensation in mouth and lips. | Began to feel better the first week on Lexapro. Anxiety was gone. By the 2nd week I noticed my libido was low and it took 30 minutes to orgasm. Was having to lay down every afternoon due to fatigue and would take 2 hour naps. One month after taking Lexapro I was sleeping 10+ hours at night. I was never happy or sad. Just here. I was forgetful of things I would say, repeating things within an hour of saying it the 1st time. I had difficulty recalling what I watched on TV from day to day. I could no longer orgasm and I was craving sugar and carbs CONSTANTLY! I was gaining weight, but cravings were so intense I didn't care. I gained 6 pounds in 6 weeks. Saw my Dr. 5 days ago and told him my symptoms. He apologized and told me to start tapering off. He reduced my dose to 5mg a day for a month and then stop. I took 5mg the day after I saw my Dr. and stopped cold turkey. It's been 4 days since I quit and my energy is returning. A little dizzy and a few sweating episodes, but nothing I can't deal with. My mind is fuzzy but felt like that the whole time I was on Lexapro. Cravings are still here but now that my energy is returning I can resume working out. I ran a half-marathon the 1st week I took Lexapro and had been working out consistently for years. Ran 3 times in the past 6 weeks and no weight training. Lexapro messed up my ability to enjoy my 2 greatest joys in life: sex and running! No anxiety, but if I do I will take a Buspar. Lexapro screwed my life up more than anxiety did! | F | 36 | 6 weeks | 10/5/2009 | 4 | anxiety | felt drowsy at 10mg so my doctor cut my dose to 5 mg. no side effects and controls my anxiety. | F | 45 | 2 years | 10/2/2009 | 1 | anxiety/depression | I had a terrible time on this medicine. It increased my anxiety threefold and made it hard to sleep. I had a weird zoned out feeling all day and it was hold to interact with others. I had no appetite at all even when I could hear my stomach growling. I would never take this again. I acutally took myself off the medicine and feel great. Not sure that I really needed an antidepressant -- maybe just a sleeping pill! | F | 42 | 5 days | 10/1/2009 | 4 | Anxiety | dry mouth, drowsy, insomnia, weight gain | I was on Lexapro for 2 years and went off it cold turkey with no side effects. Recently been getting debilitating panic attacks so it's back on the Lexapro. I dont remember side effects being so strong. Fatigue is the major issue. Cant sleep through the night, but can easily nap at my desk! | F | 40 | 5 days | 9/29/2009 | 5 | Anxiety and aggravations | None | M | 59 | 2 years | 9/26/2009 | 5 | Anxiety | When I first started taking it I had some side effects -- mild headache, getting drunk off one beer. The side effects went away after a while. I recommend starting SLOWLY. I took a 2.5mg a day at first, then gradually worked up to 10mg. ... Also, a couple times I accidentally took TWO pills because I didn't remember if I took the first one or not. When this happens I get a raging headache, like a migraine. Now, if I'm not sure if I took it, I let it go. Better to take none than two, for sure. | I read conflicting information about SSRIs and headaches. Some say Lexapro is given to migraine patients, but the package insert says headaches are a known side effect. Weird. Also, when you have a migraine, seratonin levels drop, so does it make sense to have a seratonin reuptake inhibitor to prevent further absorption of seratonin? It seems counter-intuitive. Not sure if I should skip Lexapro when I have a migraine or to keep taking it. Generally, Lexapro has been a life-saver. I started out taking Celexa and gained 20 pounds on it. I switched to Lexapro and didn't gain any more, but neither have I lost what I gained on Celexa. :( Lexapro helps keep my ruminating thoughts under control. I don't obsess about things as much any more, but I still feel like myself. My thoughts have not changed, but I don't dwell on them as much any more. I can live a normal life now without staying up all night stuck on the same thought pattern. (Ie. imagining I made a huge mistake at work and dwelling on it all night.) | F | 38 | 6 years | 9/22/2009 | 4 | Anxiety | None...some sexual side effect like reaching orgasm but wasnt too much of an issue and it slowly faded anyways. | Did a great job of stabalizing my mind. Not that it cures freaking out but when I do I dont get any physical symptoms from it | M | 36 | 3 years | 9/20/2009 | 1 | Very mild anxiety | Dizzy, dry mouth, out of body feeling, lots of speeding heart feeling. Also had no sleep for 36 hours. Very hard drug on the body and mind. It's like I was living in the move "matrix" I felt like reality was not real and my dreams had the taken over my life. I felt my skin was on fire from my sholders down to my hands, my body was shaky and sweaty. My brain had a tingling sensation. And my eyes dialated and I noticed my left eye was puffy. Very scary. | Do not take this med. Please talk to someone and deal with the emotions. This is after all a drug and "drugs" are not good. I have never needed help with my issues but lately life got overwhelming, but I would rather lose control of my emotions than lose my MIND. Please take caution. We all have overwhelming stress, but there is not a magic pill for it. I should know after working in a pharmacy since 1998. | F | 32 | 1 days | 9/20/2009 | 1 | Anxiety | Clenched teeth, jitters, seemed to increase my anxiety, fear escalated, extreme confusion, I am instructor on software programs, I could not even remember what buttons to push. I was told to give it 4-6 weeks and things would get better. It only got better when I quit taking this medication. I could not even make decisions on this medication. Be extremely cautious when taking this medication. | I do not believe this medication will help people deal with their problems but instead just numbs the emotions. I will stick with therapy. I prefer to deal with reality than to not even be concerned with reality. | F | 49 | 6 weeks | 9/20/2009 | 4 | Depression&Anxiety | I had hand shakes,warmness in my body,very energized,mood was alot better,sweating,pretty bad insomnia which i did not like.Loss in appetite but i think it is going to work hopefully.I just dont want to feel like I did before ever again! | I just hope these side effects subside after taking it for awhile. | F | 26 | 2 days | 9/17/2009 | 3 | PANIC DISORDER | tired, weight gain, still have panic attacks | I HAVE BEEN ON LEXAPRO FOR 1 YEAR AND 1/2. I SUFFER FROM EXTREME PANIC ATTACKS THAT ARE UNCONTROLLABLE. WHEN TAKING LEXAPRO, FOR THE MOST PART IT SLOWED ALOT OF THEM DOWN, BUT I STILL GET PANIC ATTACKS. IM GOING TO MY DR. TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE. | F | 31 | 1 years | 9/17/2009 | 3 | Anxiety | Terrible headaches, felt like a space case a lot of the time, harder time remembering things | It did work with the anxiety for the MOST part. Still experience sweaty palms, feet, & dizziness occasionally. | F | 22 | 1 years | 9/16/2009 | 3 | Depression/anxiety | Sleeplessness followed by extreme fatigue, headaches, withdrawls | It helped for my depression but not anxiety! I still have to take 15mg of Buspar as needed to control the anxiety! I can't say if my nausea is from the lexapro, but I am on Zofran to combat the nausea. I only really had 2 side effects: 1) I am incredably tired but must take a sleeping pill to actually fall asleep and stay asleep! I also get more frequent headaches. I was never tapered up to the 10mg I am on now....just started it. I dis try and wean myself off it and it was HORRIBLE! Dizziness, confusion, shaking, nausea, migraines, and mood swings! I may be stuck on it forever! My sister also takes lexapro but she takes 10mg everyother day. That doesn't work for me but maybe it will for someone reading this! | F | 25 | 9 months | 9/13/2009 | 3 | Anxiety | Yawning and diarrhea - both side effects gone now during my 4th week of Lexapro. No sexual desire-which is a real bummer symptom! | Very subtle effect. I kind of wish it was a little more dramatic. Still, I am feeling much less anxiety over the small things that used to get me so worked up. It kind of feels like a buffer zone between the world and me. One nice effect: I kind of get a warm/fuzzy tickly feeling (hard to describe) which is really calming. I'm better at socializing and coping with work stress. I still get freaked out about the things I hear about on the news, though. It is helping, but not in a major way. I'll hang in there for a couple of months and report back. | F | 39 | 4 weeks | 9/11/2009 | 1 | adjustment disorder | Do not take this drug for the long term. Stop once you're well. Currently I am suffering from chronic insomnia because I have difficulty expressing sadness. | F | 23 | 1 years | 9/10/2009 | 5 | depression, anxiety | some insomnia at first | Works great for me. I've taken several antidepressants, including Zoloft, Remeron, and Pristiq. Lexapro works the best for me. | M | 30 | 2 months | 9/9/2009 | 3 | depression/anxitey | frequent headaches, dry mouth, tired all the time, increase appetite, dizziness when eyes are closed, lots of yawning that feels different. | it did help with my mood, quick irribility, anxiety and depression. But having a headache everyday makes it hard to be worth it. Not sure what i hate more. | F | 26 | 3 months | 9/9/2009 | 5 | anxiety | Lots of yawning and feeling tired in the first week, but it seems to be getting better. | I am feeling so much better and my anxiety has totally disappeared. I am very happy with Lexapro. | F | 25 | 2 weeks | 9/7/2009 | 1 | anxiety | terrible all over shakiness, head vibrations, insomnia, sweaty palms and feet, night sweats, loss of appetite, anxiety, panicky, could not focus at work | Would not recommend for anxiety. The doctor said to take time for the side effects to wear off as my body adjusts to the medicine, but after 11 days of .5 mg a day, I have realized that the lack of sleep and constant shakiness/anxious feeling makes everything worse. I'd rather deal with the anxiety through counseling than through this pill. I'm weaning myself off of it. | F | 36 | 11 days | 9/5/2009 | 4 | Depression, Anxiety | Mild diaohrea first week or two and mild headaches. Have experienced some weight gain and feeling hungry all the time and decreased libido. | This drug has been a godsend for me. My partner noticed a change in my mood within a few days. I am a lot calmer, more relaxed and less stressed about the minor things. The benefits of this have outweighed the side effects for me. I have been taking 10mg each day for the past 6 months. Not sure how I would be without it. | F | 40 | 6 months | 8/30/2009 | 5 | Bi-Polar | Muscle aches | Was on prozac that stopped working. Switched to Lexapro. No more depression. Works great. | F | 46 | 2 years | 8/28/2009 | 4 | anxiety, stress, depression | In the beginning very tired. Lightheadness, night sweats, weird dreams | On day 1 I could sleep all day and that was at full strength 10mg. Day 2 I tosses and turned all night long, then just when I got to sleep, it was time for me to wake up. Day 3 I started to split the pills in half, taking one half in the A.M. and the other half at P.M.. I have notice that so far I am a lot calmer and more relax, not freaking out even over major events. My concertration has improved some what and what appetite I do have has once again decrease. As far as libido its still there. | F | 36 | 5 days | 8/28/2009 | 3 | anxiety,,, depression | None Yet | I started taking lexapro to help with depression,,,,,I think for me its depression that leads to my anxiety,,,not the other way around. I still have a hard time getting up in the morning. My outlook is depressing. I'll continue and see what happens. I've had no real noticeable side effects. | M | 35 | 8 days | 8/26/2009 | 1 | Depression | It made my depression worse. And it had severe sexual side effects, which did not help the depression. | Hungry all the time! | M | 17 | 2 months | 8/26/2009 | 3 | anexity | I have been on lexapro for 2 days now. I feel like I cant sleep at night...my hands are sweaty and my chest is hot...if anyone else has gone through this please email me at jb128867@gdn.edu I really need some advice! | F | 24 | 2 days | 8/25/2009 | 4 | GAD, Panic Disorder | Nausea, upset stomach, feeling jittery, weird dreams, yawning if I don't take the pill at exactly the same time each day, lack of libido, and lack of appetite (which is good if you want to control your weight). But the worst is feeling like my brain is scrambled at night... like when I wake up it takes a while for me to feel like me again... like my brain has to put all the pieces back together again. It's hard to describe if you haven't felt it. | I tapered up to the full 10mg dose (5 days at 2.5mg, 5 days at 5 mg, then the full dose). I felt best on the 5 mg dose. It definitely helped with my anxiety right away, and the side effects are much more tolerable than the Cymbalta I was on before. I'm on the 10 mg dose now, but will see about going back down to the 5 mg dose if my side effects don't improve (I've only been on the 10 mg for 3 days now). Overall, I think Lexapro is going to work for me, it's just a matter of getting on the right dosage. | F | 34 | 13 days | 8/24/2009 | 3 | anxiety | hives, angioedema. | started with itchy palms, hives, then angioedema | F | 55 | 3 years | 8/22/2009 | 4 | Depression/Anxiety | First 3 days had felt like I was a talking box, fidgety, tired. Oh, and constant yawning. | The first week or so I felt like I couldn't stop talking. I was really tired and fidgety at the same time...All of that eventually went away and now I feel much better. Most of my anxiety and depression has gone away...I am still yawning a bunch and I still have my "days", but overall, I am glad that I started taking it. I have always been leary of taking psych meds, but this has been good for me and my marriage. Used to be "on edge", and angry about everything, but it's all gone!!! Yay! | F | 26 | 4 weeks | 8/20/2009 | 3 | Anxiety/Depression | Short term memory loss, Drunk off of one beer, blackout on 2nd - 3rd drink, muscle stiffness, insomnia, vivid dreams, balance is off. | I'm very back and forth about this because my mom takes LExapro and doesn't have any issues. I'm currently going to see my dr. because of my short term memory loss. I can't remember any plans I make. I quit drinking on the medicine because of the blackouts and I thought that might help my memory but it didn't. | F | 23 | 4 months | 8/20/2009 | 3 | depression | Helped my father initially with depression.Gerontologist kept him at 20mg. Recently hospitalized with sroke symptoms- falling,confusion. developed severe hyper-reflextivity- bruises from jeking and hitting side of bed, hallucinations, panic, flushing. Had spontaneous retroperitoneal bleed. Off for 2 days now and finally sleeping for past 2 weeks and more like himself. Wish I would have known the side effects esp at higher doses. | M | 83 | 18 months | 8/19/2009 |
| Key to
ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine. |