Anyone take Lexapro?

[allipate28]

Was prescribed lexapro and haven't started it yet!! Any advice Please

[insights]

Was prescribed lexapro and haven't started it yet!! Any advice Please

Welcome to AnxietyZone,

Lexapro, and the chemically very similar Celexa, are usually the best tolerated antidepressants so hopefully it won't cause you too many problems, especially if you've been prescribed a starting dose of no more than 5mg.

Any initial side-effects, which I won't list as you may then experience them all, should diminish after a few weeks. There are a couple of unique side-effects that can be disturbing if you don't expect them, the Lexapro yawn, everyone will think you haven't slept for a month, and some experience a dull pressure headache quite unlike the normal ones. Neither are a cause for concern. The usual over-the-counter painkillers should help with the headaches, however, IMHO acetaminophen (aka paracetamol) is preferable as it, unlike aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, doesn't thin the blood which is also a side-effect of many antidepressants, including Lexapro.

Ian

[kmwondering]

I've just started lexapro. I am only a week in and just started my first full 5mg pill. My pdoc said it is the ssri that has thefewest side effect for most of his pts though of course all individuals are different. I'm taking a benzo for now until we get the lexapro to a therapeutic dose.

[allipate28]

Thanks so much for yall input! KMwondering will you keep me updated on your journey? How many mg did you start out at and how long did you take it before you reached 5mg and do you feel it is working yet?

[kmwondering]

I took half of a 5 mg pill for a week. I only am two days into a full 5 mg pill. Side effects are minimal to non existent (hard to sort out what might just be my anxiety) nothing troubling. I do feel better. That is likely more thanks to the benzo at this point but I will take what ican get. I am still anxious an I still have irrational thoughts, but I am not getting into te frantic obsessive loop and checking behaviors. I can just go with it a little more now and counter some of the thoughts. Will definitely keep you posted. Good luck! I am very hopeful

[JustBreathe9]

hi!
I began taking lexapro about 3 years ago. I was extremely scared to get on medication and thought my doctor was the crazy one for prescibing it to me. When i finally did begin the medication, my side effects were minimal and anything that really affected me my doctor told me to follow up with my generic xanax. Any side effects i just had to tell myself that it was because of the medication and it would pass. After the first 2 weeks of lexapro all side effects went away and i felt 100 percent better!
I hope this medication works for you!

[blondie33]

Today is my 3rd day on Lexapro & so far no side effects. I'm taking it for Depression, GAD & OCD.  I'm just very impatient & can't wait until it kicks in.

[northwest]

Well I've been on it two months - 10 mg.  Works with the anxiety, but I've found a nasty side effect is that I can't get a decent erection if my life depended on it.  This is s BIG problem whcih makes my continued use of it problematic.  I need to ask the doc what I can do to ameliorate this bad side effect.

[allipate28]

Well I finally took the plunge I have been on it for 3 days so far ok!!  I started out on 2.5mg and Monday will move up to 5mg!

[stevo1111]

Northwest, you may find that the addition of a low dose of Buspar or Trazodone could alleviate this side effect. Buspar has few side effects and is generally well tolerated. It is worth discussing with your Dr. before you jump ship on the Lexapro.

[brokenbone]

I took Lexapro for a few months, and it did not settle well with me. I was on 20mg, but I absolutely had to stop it because of, as someone else mentioned, the sexual side effects. It just was not for me. I wish you luck, though!