LEXAPRO Reviews (ESCITALOPRAM OXALATE)Average Rating: 3.2 (2093 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare LEXAPRO with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Date added. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 |
More on LEXAPRO: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR LEXAPRO | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 3 | depression w/bipolar 2, GAD, OCD | First week and a half increased anxiety and major sweating but that went away. Took Ativan as needed for the anxiety. Since then fatigue which has gotten progressively worse it seems with each day. Really bad. Taking SAMe's (bipolars should be very careful about the dosage) and tyrosine helps but not enough. Now I have flu-like symptoms which are making the fatigue worse and I don't know if it's because of the Lexapro or not. It is listed as a side effect but few people talk about it. I am getting depressed about the whole scenario. | Ever since I started taking it all my negative psychological symptoms started going away and contined to do so pretty quickly, about 90% gone within 2 weeks.(bipolars are usually quick responders to SSRI's). But then over the past three weeks the fatigue has just gotten worse and worse. I was optimistic about waiting out the full 6 weeks before making a judgment but I'm almost there and over the past few days I've gotten depressed and even started to have suicidal thoughts. Don't know if it's just a realistic reaction to being so limited again in what I can do because of the fatigue AFTER such a long depression or if it is actually a symptom of the drug itself (suicidal ideation). Either way, it's a bummer. I will update this. | F | 48 | 5 weeks | 9/14/2007 | 3 | Depressing/anxiety | The First 2 days I had a head ache that was miserable! The worst pain ive ever had in my head. Also the first couple nights woke up with night sweats/racing heart/confused/and felt VERY IRRITATED/UPSET/Dizzy. I really felt out of it. Drove to work and had no clue how I had got their. Felt like I couldnt focus at work also have had no appetite what so ever and it has been really hard to get out of bed in the morning! | I really have seen some improvements but also feel its to early to tell. Ive been really care free and have been sleeping like a rock.(Better sleep then Ive had in 2 years!!!!)Before I had constant head aches everyday and i havent had one for a week now. | F | 21 | 9 days | 9/14/2007 | 1 | Migraines, Depression and Anxiety | I HATED THIS PRODUCT... i took the 10 mg once and a right now a week and a half later... i have noticed increases in my headaches, the front of my brain burns and i've noticed an increase in suicidal thoughts and anxiety... I would not recommend taking this at all... i wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy... God help me. | DON'T TAKE IT... | M | 27 | 1 days | 9/14/2007 | 4 | Anxiety, OCD | Burning headaches on the top of my head, dry mouth, sleeplessness, spacey, lack of sex drive, major mood swings, no emotions, short term memory loss | Started taking this due to numerous recurring irrational thoughts lasting all day. Lexapro has helped decrease the frequency of the thoughts, however sometimes due to the lack of emotions I've had a harder time convincing myself of what's true. I've only been taking it a week now but I feel a little better each day. | M | 27 | 7 days | 9/13/2007 | 4 | Depression | Nausea & yawning for 1st month - Over last 6 months: difficulty reaching orgasm (F), loss of impulse control resulting in financial debt, increase in risky behavior, mania, lack of empathy, lack of emotional reactivity (haven't shed a single tear in over 6 months) | Despite some of the side effects I like the increased energy and increase in social confidence. I've lost weight, increased activity, done better at work and get out and do things. I feel much more alive. | F | 52 | 7 months | 9/12/2007 | 4 | Severe Anxiety, Grief, Depression | Dr. started me on 20mg, did that for 3 days. Felt 'wired' and woke very early. Only 'half' asleep. Cut back to 10mg. Take it at noon, rather than night. Shakiness. Tingling in arm. Now near week 4, diarrhea (tend toward that in past), strange though, first 3 days on higher dosage, noticed the opposite, first time in long time. Also, opposite effect w/ alcohol. I can drink more and don't notice it. Not good! Esp. since it's hard to fall asleep sometimes! | Lexapro has definitely taken away the terror of dread I'd experience. Now into week 4, my sleep is all screwed up. I'll either not be able to get out of bed before 11am, or wake way too early. Also have Hashimotos and adrenal fatigue. So I'm trying to rest an hour early evening. I've got 4 kids, and a photography business, so it's tough. Yesterday felt kinda nauseous. Maybe it's a virus, don't know. Take 1/2 of a .25mcg xanax one or twice a day to help with sleep, etc. Started talk therapy 2 weeks ago, after death of close friend a month ago. Want to start seeing a psychiatrist soon, along with my GP who prescribed this, and my psychologist, to better monitor things. | F | 45 | 4 weeks | 9/12/2007 | 4 | depression and anxiety | I've been on Lexapro for 2.5 years and don't remember too many icky side effects in the beginning. Initially lost 8 lbs the first month on it, but have gained 10 since then. Definitely have the sweats at night though, not pleasant. | I gave this drug a 4 because like many others have said here, for the first time in my life I felt 'normal' -- I could let things go. It seemed for me, the missing link. I have suffered from depression since high school and tried to deal with it through exercise, diet and therapy. Although all that helped, I never felt the way I did when I started taking this drug. I still to this day reflect after a tough situation how different I would've handled it prior to lexapro. I cried almost every day and just felt like I was the worst person on earth. I've stopped re-thinking everything, worrying all the time and honestly just started living! The only thing is, I still get very angry at my children (ages 2 and 5) but I think it more has to do with dealing with toddlers. I thought I would research that a bit though and discovered this site. I sure wish I read this BEFORE taking Lexapro because I never wanted to be on meds for life and am now scared to death to go off them!!! (started on 10 m, | F | 43 | 2.5 years | 9/11/2007 | 4 | GAD, OCD, depression | Weight gain, excessive sleepiness with one alcoholic drink, anorgasmia | Thankfully, most of the side effects have gone away, but the weight gain is still an issue. However, I'd rather be healthy and happy than depressed and skin and bones. | F | 25 | 14 months | 9/11/2007 | 1 | mild anxiety, depression | 6 hours after I took the first dose I has a HORRIBLE reaction. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it was going to kill me and I felt like I was being electrocuted; uncontrollable tremors | I only took a low dose of this med for a week and now 9 months later I still feel side effects. I have anxiety attacks that I never had before and heart palptiations that come and go. I'm finally getting less tremors after taking a low dose of Valium. I still get muscle twitches and "electrical shock" feelings down my arms starting the base of my skull, especially when I turn my head. I honestly think this drug did permanent central nervous system and cardiac damage. | F | 33 | 7 days | 9/11/2007 | 3 | Anxiety, Panic attacks, Agoraphobia | Nausea. Some restlessness, Tense | Started at Half of a 10mg pill (5mg)every morning at 10am. After about an hour of first dose felt head tighten did a slow wierd movement with left arm, felt a burning tingling feeling between right cheek and ear, right ear very itchy. Day 2 just felt the itchyness in ear, also notice I felt restless. At night had to take .5mg of ativan (cause of some anxiety)Day 3 same itchyness in right ear but now on and off burning, tingling between cheek and ear left. took ativan (.5mg)at 5:45pm (ativan effected me different, more sleepy than before)also notice Now whenever i took ativan it made my ear itch also (never did before) felt like lexapro made me more rougher when play fighting with my wife.Day 4 feel like noise from kids doesnt bother me as much anymore. still itchness in ear on and off. Day 5 tense all day at night started feeling a scared feeling and started getting paranoid couldnt sleep until 5am when fell asleep woke up 4 times first time dizzy and scared. next day didnt take anymor | M | 40 | 5 days | 9/8/2007 | 5 | Mild depression | None | Great stuff. No noticible side effects. They should put this stuff in the water system. | F | 35 | 1 years | 9/7/2007 | 4 | Depression | Some Tiredness and weight gain, occasional bowel cramping | Found Lexapro to be a lifesaver, had gotten to a very low place and was quite disfunctional, after only about 2 weeks noticed an improvement have been taking it now for 2 years and still find it kicks in when I need it. | F | 42 | 2 days | 9/7/2007 | 3 | major depressive disorder | Initially yawning,jaw clenching, decreased sexual drive, anorgasmia--all which resolved but the decreased sex drive. At first felt great after several days of feeling sleepy, then felt better than I had in years. Happy, productive, outgoing again--then wham! After 5 months, started to feel depressed, didn't have any drive, hated my job, negative feelings creeping back in. WEIGHT GAIN!! Not at first--starting about the second month. Hungry all the time. Started out and stayed on 10 mg. Quit taking in morning, because I never got anything done. Had to take at night, then couldn't sleep well. Basically, when I needed to sleep I couldn't and when I needed to be awake, forget it! Also, I began to notice a lot of numbness, pain and tingling in my arms and legs and Restless leg syndrome. | Overall, it did help with my depression.However, the side effects were a little too unpleasant for me. I am presently in the process of switching to wellbutrin sr 150 mg. My doctor is assisting with this switch. Feeling great so far! GOOD LUCK. | F | 37 | 6 months | 9/7/2007 | 2 | General Depression | sleepiness, very low sex drive, weight gain, vivid dreams | I take 20 mg for past 3 months - Depression is now least of my problems. I'm so numb in the head, I can't get out of bed, lack of interest in lots of thing that used to intrest me: going to gym, bike riding - not on this stuff. Laying around on the the couch and sleeping - yes. I just missed work for 2 straight days - slept 15 hours each day and was still tired. Tried to quit once and had some nights of very crazy, vivid dreams. I have to get off this stuff. | M | 47 | 4 months | 9/7/2007 | 5 | Depression and Anxiety | Decrease in Sex Drive, Flat Mood, Sleeplessness | This drug has helped me a great deal. My anxiety is almost completely gone and my depressed mood has mostly lifted. My only complaints thus far are my lack of sex drive and my mood can be a little flat at times. I have had a hard time falling asleep on this drug...so I take Trazadone at night to help me fall and stay asleep. | F | 28 | 6 days | 9/6/2007 | 4 | major depression/sucide attempt | Gained 30# in one year, sex life completely died, but when I weigh how well I am doing versus the weight and lack of orgasms, I'd rather stay on the meds. I joke around that I am spayed. However, for the first time in my life, I felt level, patient, able to reason. | Does anyone know the longterm effects of this medicine? I wonder if it will someday be found to cause major health problems. I am functioning in my life, my work, my marriage, and without Lexapro I don't think I would be. Always a hard choice whether to take meds or not. | F | 55 | 7 years | 9/1/2007 | 3 | Panic, Anxiety and OCD | Insomnia, major weight gain, lack of energy, decreased sex drive, bad memory, flat emotions :( | I've been of & on Lexapro for about 4 yrs. now. I was suffering from severe panic attacks, anxiety and ocd. The first time my dr. put me on this she started me on it at 10 mg. I had teeth clenching and bad headaches and was really really tired. After around 3 weeks, it went away and so did the panic attacks, but anxiety and ocd were still the same. I started gaining a lot of weight (30 lbs), so I decided to stop the meds. and the panic attacks came back almost immediately. They were so bad, I would pray that I could just go to sleep and not ever wake up. I then decided that I'd rather weigh even 200 lbs. than go through those terrifying panic attacks again. The next time I started by breaking up the 10 mg. pill in quarters and increased my dose by 2.5 mg. every 2 weeks. What a difference that made. No start up side effects. The weight gain is still there so is the flat/numb emotions and bad memory, but I'm hoping to add Wellbutrin and see if that helps. I've heard that c | F | 38 | 4 years | 9/1/2007 | 3 | PMDD,Depression,Rage,Crying,Anxiety | 1st month or two - clenched jaw, dry mouth, headaches, tired, nightmares, and increased appetite. After that - tired, nightmares, and weight gain. | I started taking Lexapro a little over a year and a half ago. I started taking it because I was experiencing extreme PMS symptoms for 3 weeks out of the month. It definitely helped me mellow out, but looking back I ask myself, at what cost? I recently began weaning myself off of a 10mg dose. At first I was frustrated because I felt like my old self was back again, and I hated that person. Now I realize that there were things in my life that were making me miserable and I got on Lexapro to make me happy in spite of it. What I should have done was deal with those things and not have taken Lexapro. Now that I'm pretty much off of it and I've dealt with the things in my life that were making me so unhappy, I truly regret ever being on it. I don't feel like I 'lived' while I was on it, I feel like I only 'existed'. I was numb and unemotional and tolerated things that I never should have tolerated. I feel sad that I'll never get back that year and a half of my life. Please ask yourself if th | F | 30 | 1.5 years | 8/31/2007 | 3 | social anxiety | dull headache first few days, lowered libido, dry mouth. | Not very effective at all. I felt less irratable and more outgoing in the first few weeks but I believe this was probably wishful thinking that the drug was working. After 12 weeks I have given up all hope that anything will happen. | M | 36 | 12 weeks | 8/31/2007 | 3 | General Anxiety Disorder | insomnia, night sweats, vivid dreams, harder to orgasm, constant yawning, tired a lot (probably from the insomnia), nausea the first week | Aside from these side effects, the meds were doing the job well. I found myself not worrying as much, and thinking more rationally. However, after seeing my doctor recently, I was told to increase the dosage because some of my old symptoms were returning. He explained that the dosage needs to be adjusted for most people to find what works for each person. The side effects that bother me the most are the insomnia and the difficulty orgasming. I will continue with the medicine as directed, as I was told that eventually the side effects will taper off the longer I'm on it. | F | 29 | 1 months | 8/31/2007 |