LEXAPRO Reviews (ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE)

Average Rating: 3.2 (2093 Ratings)

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 ANTIDEPRESSANTS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

LEXAPRO  (ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE):  Escitalopram is used to treat depression and anxiety. It works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (serotonin) in the brain. Escitalopram belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). It may improve your energy level and feelings of well-being and decrease nervousness.    (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

Results are sorted by Date added.

Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR LEXAPROCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 4  Depression Drowsiness, anorgasmia (which may cause me to add or switch to Welbutrin) Saved my life. Feel good for the first time in 20 years. F 35 15 months
10/14/2007
 1  Depression and GID (MtF) Moderately severe headaches for the first two days. Anorgasmia after three days followed by complete loss of libido after five days. Completely screwed up my sleep, whether I took it in the morning or at night. Unusual feelings of hunger in the mornings. I expect that I might have put on weight had I not had a very predictable diet. General feeling of not being alert, but it's hard to tell whether that was directly caused by the drug itself, or by the loss of sleep. The best thing about this drug for me was coming off it. I cold turkeyed out, had one headache and had my sex life back in two days. I feel more alert, and am sleeping better. I understand that if this drug fixes your depression then it might be worth the side-effects you experience. For me, the side-effects were more than sufficient to cause what it was suposed to aleviate. I gather that many MtF transsexuals feel anxiety about their libido and find the reduction of libido when using this drug to be a benefit. That certainly wasn't the case for me. If you have gender identity issues of any sort, I encourage you to think about the significance of your libido to you and discuss it with your doctor before taking this one. M 47 5 weeks
10/12/2007
 3  depression and anxiety Lethargy and "spaciness" for the first three weeks or so, and some residual lethargy some days; very vivid dreams; yawning; frequent tingling sensations in my scalp that I've never had before; problems achieving orgasm. I have found Lexapro helpful in diminishing anxiety/panic, feelings of sadness/helplessness/hopelessness, and general emotional volatility. It's also helped me get a better night's sleep; sleep disturbance had been a real issue before. I feel myself more on task, and my partner and friends have also noticed a positive change. I would encourage people to stick out the unpleasantness of the first few weeks of taking the drug. But I'd also encourage them to take it in conjunction with cognitive therapy; don't depend on the drug alone. F 46 3 months
10/11/2007
 3  Depression/General Anxiety Disorder Weight gain, jaw clenching, cravings, no sex drive, occasional weeks when I can't seem to get enough sleep, returning depression and suicidal thoughts Back on 3/1/07 I posted a rating of a "5". I'd been on Lexapro for 4 weeks, lost 2 pounds and it seemed to be working ok. Since then I've gained 23 lbs. I've gotten out of a bad relationship as well. There were problems before but they seemed to get worse once I was on the medication. He told me that Lexapro took away my personality and my drive. This is something that I didn't see in myself. I was just happy that it allowed me to get through my day without yelling at anyone. After a few months I felt some of the depression and anxiety coming back. My doctor upped my dosage to 20 mg/day. This seemed to help for a while. But the old feelings returned again and even some thoughts of suicide. I'm very unhappy about the weight gain. Back in 1994 I started taking Zoloft. I took it for about 2 years and subsequently gained 85 pounds. I vowed to never let that happen again. When I stopped taking the Zoloft 40 pound seemed to melt of me and I managed to get rid of anot F 38 8 months
10/11/2007
 5  Anxiety, Depression Initial nausea for the first few weeks that eventually went away. Slightly drowsy in the afternoon. A snack helps. After being diagnosed with ADD as an adult, I tried taking Aderall, but the results were horrible and my quality of life sharply declined. About two years after that I discussed treating my comorbid anxiety instead. My doctor suggested 10mg Lexapro. I was astounded at the difference it made in every aspect of my life. The world became a good place again. Lexapro did not change who I was, but it helped me to be at ease in my own skin and feel comfortable being myself. I smile more, laugh more, see life in a brighter light. My moderate depression lifted. Side effects are insignificant. F 39 1 years
10/10/2007
 5  Mild Depression mild tiredness, vivid dreams, over talkative, I have had no weight gain, no noticable decrease in libido - (actually may have increased since I'm happier), very vivid dreams. I'm much more talkative, but that may also be because I'm happier finally. Sometimes a "don't care" attitude because I'm happy - so what, kind of attitude. Mild anxiety at times. F 37 4 months
10/10/2007
 4  Grief and Post Trauma Anorgasmia (inability to reach orgasm)and nausea were the two side effects. The ffectiveness was amazing. Within 3 day s the deep pain and sorrow that I have had everyday for more than a year, disappeared. I felt like I was finally back to what I know as normal. However, the side effects I experienced created a big concern for me. F 53 9 days
10/10/2007
 4  depression Very few so far ... I've only been on it a week. It is replacing Celexa, which had completely stopped working. While I am tired and sleepy, I've had this problem on and off for years and it may be the result of painkillers I'm currently taking. No insomnia, no other side effects. I will have to watch for the weight gain, as I'm already heavy and can't afford to gain more. This is REALLY working for me after I've had poop-out syndrom with lots of other antidepressants. I'm with the person who said that people SHOULD NOT tell others not to take this drug. As with any drug, the side-effects vary widely, from virtually none (me) to very severe ones. My side-effects on Wellbutrin were so severe I had to stop very quickly, yet most people seem to do pretty well on it. Don't try to judge for others what drugs they should take. Leave that up the person and her doctor, please. F 48 12 days
10/9/2007
 5  inabiity to be in the house?? Itching, but I didn't know it was a side effect so I went on the site to check. My husband walked out with no warning after an extensive marriage. I couldn't be in the house. This medicine saved my life!!! I take it with welbutrin which I was on for a while just to moderate anxiety. It has been a year. I might have gained weight but I am now ready to take that on. I am alone and don't know how I would ever have survived without it. I guess that is what medication is for. Maybe I will try some claritan for the itching. I tried to go off it after six months but was crying again. I have had therapy and should try again at some point, but I am level, love my home, can laugh and cry, appropriately. I can't tell you about the libido part because that has not been a part of my worries this year. I take 10 mg. I must repeat, it saved my life. F 55 1 years
10/7/2007
 3  Anxiety and quick temper I am still evaluating lexapro. While it has improved my anxiety and quick temper, I have been dealing with headaches and memory loss. For me, I am not sure the trade off is worth it! F 41 2 months
10/7/2007
 4  Bipolar Start up side effects was while tapering off Paxil. ONLY way I could get off Paxil (THAT one is a PAIN to get off). So start up was simultaneous with drawdown from Paxil and was very easy. Long term effects - headaches, nausea, vertigo. Lexapro has been good for me but its getting to the point where I have to hibernate when the headache/nausea/vertigo kick in and its using up alot of my sick leave. So I guess I'll have to try another anti-depressant. Bummer. It did the job - the side effects are just starting to outweigh the benefits... F 42 2 years
10/6/2007
 1  Depression severe nausa, stomach pain, dizzy, lathargic, no motivation, exteremly dialated pupils How does anyone survive 2 weeks with side effects? I would rather be depressed!!!! I stopped taking after 3 doses and felt horrid for about 48 hrs F 44 3 days
10/6/2007
 3  MDD/Anxiety Constant dull headache, don't feel all-together, no emotion, trouble sleeping, jaws are sore, nausea, eyes sensitive to light (due to headache) This is my 3rd day taking Lexapro. I had to call my doctor this morning because the side-effects are way too intense. I started on 10mg; tomorrow I'll cut back to 5mg. I haven't been able to function properly at work...I just stare at my computer screen. The first day I took Lexapro, I couldn't sleep. The second day I did fall asleep, but it wasn't restful sleep. I did have a dream, but it was typical...no vivid dreams yet. I did look in the mirror this morning and thought, "Hey, I'm pretty." So, I know SOMETHING is working... F 29 3 days
10/5/2007
 1  Depression Nausea, dizziness, mild hallucinations, felt spacey, leg cramps, my teeth felt like they were made of metal, throat tightened, shakiness. You probably won't feel depressed, because you are too worried about what is happening to you physically! I took the first pill at 8am with some breakfast. At 9:15 (in the middle of a business meeting) it kicked in. I felt hot, dizzy and very sick. I had to leave the room. Felt better in an hour, but basically felt like I was on acid the rest of the day (and not in a fun way). It is now the next morning and I still feel wierd. It is not fun and I have never felt this way off of one pill. Not sure if this is normal. Felt very much like my body was trying to reject the drug. I am never taking it again. I have been on other antidepressants and never felt this bad. F 28 1 days
10/5/2007
 5  Anxiety, Panic Attacks Some watery stools and then the opposite, so I guess IBS symptoms. Left pupil is dialated more than right on several mornings upon awakening. And, then some night sweating, but not profusely. Anorgasmia problems, but not entirely. I still get anxious once in a while. started at 10 mg, on the 4th day, I rose with the "Hello World" it's me feeling. I told my doctor all was good, but still had some anxiety after 2 weeks, he increased me to 20 mg. I felt a bit numb, so went back down to 10 mg after another week or two. Then, the anxiety started coming back, so I upped it to 15 mg myself with a pill slicer. Doctor not happy about it, but it's the perfect dose for me. I still have some breakthrough anxiety. I take half of a .25 xanax one to three times per day, and I am finally after 4 years able and confident that I can function nearly normally through work. I Love this drug. It was first offered to me 4 years ago, but for some reason, I was mediphobic after my panic attacks started. I think my anxiety is a result of years of taking DHEA at a 25 mg dose, over the counter, but no doctor has supported that theory. Who knows, I feel way better. M 40 2.5 months
10/4/2007
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 4   M 39 6 months
10/2/2007
 3  GAD,OCD,severe panic attacks & depr beginning:nausea,yawning. withdraw effects:nausea,vomiting,brain zaps,tremors,loss of feeling in hands & face,muscle cramping,vertigo,I couldn't move or watch tv or talk for 3 weeks. shear HELL!! Only take this med if you have extreme symptoms! if you have mild forms of anxiety this is not for you! this works great at first, but over time anxiety returns, I became emotionally "flat"& slept 13-15 hrs.& still felt like crap all day. I completely lost my libido, & actually felt much more depressed & unmotivated than before this med. I had to constantly increase dosages over time & it did nothing for me.the side effects were much worse than the treatment. the first year great! then down hill. I just hope that others are warned of the severe side effects that I wasn't!just make sure you get a doc that REALLY cares! if anyone shares my symptoms & have found a med that works & doesn't have these harsh side effects!? please email me! I need help! F 25 21 months
10/2/2007
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 4  anxiety Since starting the Lexapro diet about 1.5 yrs ago, my mood is better and I am much more relaxed. Before I was very short tempered and could not sit still for 10 min. at a time. My family is very happy I am taking this prescription. Side Effects: I have gained 25 lbs. I have severe restless leg syndrome. Very little sex drive and I sweat a lot. M 39 1.5 years
10/1/2007
 1  Depression Insomnia, irregular heartbeat, anxiety times 1000, suicidal depression I'm in serious pain right now. I'm about to go to the hospital cause this drug is killing me. If I survive I'll write another comment. Please don't take it! M 38 5 days
10/1/2007
 4  Depression/General Anxiety Sleepiness,Weight Gain,Decreased sexual desire. I took Lexapro for a little over a year and it helped a lot for about the first 10-12 months. After that I noticed I was having a hard time getting motivated in the morning and was sleepy on and off throughout the day. I still felt much better than i had though. The weight gain was what did it for me. I think I gained about 20 pounds and couldnt take it anymore so I started to ween myself off of it. That wasn't to bad it only took a few weeks and being off of it I still felt good so maybe I didnt need to take it anymore. A year and half later Im feeling depressed again and Im thinking about going back on it along with talking to a professional. F 27 15 days
9/30/2007

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