What Is Lexapro Used For

Escitalopram

Escitalopram, sold under the brand names Cipralex and Lexapro, among others, is an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class.[2] Escitalopram is mainly used to treat major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.[2] It is taken by mouth.[2] It is available commercially exclusively as the oxalate salt. Common side effects include trouble sleeping, nausea, sexual problems, and feeling tired.[2&a...

i was on 40mg of lexapro. they put me back to 20mg. they said 20mg is the max/ i took it for 1 yr already ## I was at one point on 20 mg of lexapro wich is the highest dose available. I was going thru a clinical depression and it also helped with nerve pain....it did wonders for me. I went thru a rough time because of spine surgery. Did your Dr make you take two 20 mg pills? Something does not sound right about that?! That is an extreme dose. ## Yes, that is correct, 20mgs is supposed to be the maximum prescribed dose, because studies haven't shown any additional benefits when it's taken in higher amounts, but doing so could cause more severe risks, and side effects. The FDA lists the typical side effects of Lexapro as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, m...

2 REPLIES

I took 5 mg last night and can't function today. My legs feel like Jello and I had to leave work. The doctor says it will take time for my body to get used to it, but I have 2 kids and things to do. How do people take this and have a regular life? ## Hello, Shaewest! Sorry about the side effect you experienced. There are many people that take it and lead a normal life, but that doesn't necessary mean that it's the right medication for you. If it was so severe that you had to leave work, then you should likely have another discussion with your doctor about trying something different. Side effects should be mild and transient, they shouldn't be so severe that they cause this type of issue. Is there anything else I can help with? ## I actually just started on Lexapro a mont...

3 REPLIES

I had severe anxiety problems for the first time in my life late last year and found it very difficult to function. I tried for four months to fight it on my own and by using Ativan. I knew Ativan was not a healthy long term answer but was bothered by the prospect of using a SSRI. Finally with no progress I decided to start using Lexapro as I had heard it had the least amount of side effects and had the least withhdrawl symptoms when ceasing the medication. I noticed some progress within 2 weeks and was 100% anxiety free after 5 weeks. Today I feel "normal" and am anxiety free. I have been taking 10mg Lexapro for a little over 2 months. My doctor wants me to continue it for the next 6 months and then I will wean off of the drug. I have gained some weight while taking it but must...

4 REPLIES

Lexapro is a miracle for me. I have a panic disorder for being in small groups or large crowds. Those panic attacks have disappeared. My energy level is low but I feel much more positive. I tried to commit suicide twice in the last year but I don't have those thoughts anymore. I was on Webutrin and Prozac until two months ago. Lexapro has turned my life around. ## what does it look like ?? ## It's small&medium size white round pill. Small is 10mg Med.is 20mg. I was on it & it worked good for me... ## lexapro has wo0rked great for me i am not having bad anxiety attack and i am sleeping great at night.i also have had nosexual side effects ## I clicked the 'report abuse by mistake on gary dated 7/2/05. I didn't know what it referred to so I clicked to read about it ...

4 REPLIES

I am switching from Lexapro to Pristiq with my Pdoc. He recommended that I drop from my regular 20 mg of lexapro to 10mg and go to 50mg of pristiq. He said after 2 weeks drop the lexapro altogether. is this safe? is it too fast? I take 2 10mg tablets. Should I maybe go to 15mg--10mg-5mg-0? How have other people made the transition with minimum problems? ## How long have you been taking Lexapro for? From my perspective I think what your doctor recommend is fine. What's safe for "you" may not necessarily be safe for someone else (and vise versa, because everyone is different). If you're tapering your Lexapro dose down to 10mg from 20mg within 2 weeks, in my opinion, that seems to be a sufficient time frame to re-adjust. If tapering the dose really concerns you though, I wo...

1 REPLY

seizures,adhd ## is it safe to take lexapro 10mg with metoprolol tartrate 25mg at same time?i've had diabetic symptoms, fainting,lightheadness and dizziness with chest pains and tightness! ## Melinda, those can also be symptoms of high blood pressure, medication side effects or heart disease. Have you spoken with your doctor regarding them and what may be causing them? Do your doctor and pharmacist know you are taking both of these together? There aren't any warning listed regarding the use of the two together. Lexapro is an antidepressant containing the active ingredient Escitalopram. Metoprolol is used to treat hypertension and cardiovascular disease. ## i want to know the good and bad side effects of lexapro

3 REPLIES

I have been on 30 mg of lexapro for years and it has worked great for mg anxiety and obsessive thoughts, I have been on 10 and 20 before but 30 seemed to work but it has been a couple years, however I am tired and need to sleep 9-10 hours consistently to feel good, I was wondering if lowering to 25 mg you think would be just as good for Anxiety and thoughts and maybe make me a little less tired? And any withdrawals dripping down 5 mg, thanks guys and let me know! ?? ## Hello, John! How are you? I'm sorry about the problem you're having sleeping. However, after being on it for years, the Lexapro should no longer be causing such a side effect. The FDA lists its typical ones as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth and weight changes, but they usually only last ...

1 REPLY

Is anyone out there taking 40mg of lexapro? are you experiencing any strange symptoms? is it safe to take that much? ## I personally don't have experience with this drug nor have I seen many individuals taking 40mg of it, but I just wanted to say that you should base it off of how you feel when you are on that dose for a certain period of time. Maybe give yourself a trial period and reevaluate how it may be effecting your everyday life. You can always go back to 20mg or less if it doesn't seem like it's needed or doesn't feel right for you. It is regarded as a pretty potent drug. You can read more about this drug by clicking on the link below... I hope this advice helps!

1 REPLY

I've been taking Lexapro and Zanax for nearly ten years for extreme anxiety and depression. In march I was taken off Xanax as my local gp couldn't prescribe it anymore. Since then I don't feel lexapro is working. I can't sleep longer than 2 or 3 hours and don't leave the house. What should I do? ## Do not go off your Lexapro. Sometimes you may think something is not working until you go off of it. Then you find out the hard way (as I have) that it was doing more than you thought it was. If you are not abusing Xanax and your doctor stopped prescribing it out of personal bias, just find another doctor who will prescribe it, as long as you don't abuse it.

1 REPLY

this is going back 13 years but I think it screwed up my brain. A doctor prescribed me 100 mg of Lexapro because she convinced me that all of my anxiety was learned from my mother and would go away with Lexapro. Well she kept upping and upping until I was taking 100mg a day for a long time. I was manic out of my mind and drinking like crazy. She was giving me free samples out of her closet. Who knows what she wrote in my notes. I bet her notes said I was on 10.... Could that have messed up my brain chemistry long term? My friend was a rep for Lexapro and she said it was too much but I trusted this counselor so I continued. ## In the U.S., you do have the right to view your medical records, though if you request a copy for yourself, they are allowed to charge you for them. Thus, you can ...

1 REPLY

I'm on 10mg and it's been 10 days. My anxiety has gotten better and the fogginess is lifting. I'm still not feeling 100, but I'm trying to be patient. Also, my sleep is weird, I was waking up too many times in a night so I take .25 of Xanax to help. Question when does the tiredness go away? Is my Xanax causing more of a problem with morning sleepiness? ## Hello, Brownstone88! How are you? The FDA classifies Lexapro as an SSRI antidepressant and most of them can cause REM Onset Latency, which means it takes longer than usual for you to enter the REM sleep stage and you are in it for a shorter period of time, so such sleep disruptions like you've described are very common. However, just like the other side effects it can cause, such as nausea, dizziness, headache and d...

1 REPLY

I have a history of anxiety/depression. After 2 life changing events I fell back into this funk. Was put on Luvox and it worked fine. Then had another loss with a company rightsizing and was laid off and have since moved back into home with parents (I am 40). Without insurance started going to local psychiatrist who decided I was Bipolar. To make long story short..........wrong diagnosis. After a month and a half on Latuda which has sent me spiraling down even further into depression and hopelessness, my parents got involved and with blessing of my psychologist (who also didn't think I was Bipolar) we weaned me off of Latuda and onto 10 mg Lexapro after much research. I've been on for 2 weeks and have suffered the nausea, dizziness and loss of weight and right now after 2 1/2 mo...

5 REPLIES

I suffer from anxiety and depression. It wasn't until I found myself sitting at a traffic light and wincing from the overwhelming feeling of sadness. I was well aware that I came from a high anxiety family and was certain I inherited that from my mother. What I didn't realize was how depression had slowly creeped into my life. I had no reason to feel depressed. I have a good job and wonderful family. No real money problems just the usual bills yet I had an overwelming feeling of sadness. I schedule a physical and went to see my doctor. During the physical he asked if I had anything to complain about medical or otherwise. So I told about the feeling at the traffic light and all the rest. He offered me lexapro after questioning me about a family history. He explained the there is ...

1 REPLY

I'd been having panic attacks for the past 2 months. Of course not doing anything about them they gradually got worse. I made 5 appointments and couldn't leave the house to get to them. Today my husband went with me :) I started on lexapro 10 mg. Can't wait for it to kick in and work!! ## Hello, Teagal! How are you doing? It's great that you finally made it to the doctor to get help! :-) Way to go!!! As to the Lexapro, you should be warned that these types of medications can sometimes make things a bit worse, before they start to get better, so for the first couple of weeks you need to be careful and try to take it easy. If things get too bad, make sure to contact your doctor immediately. Learn more Lexapro details here. Other side effects to Lexapro may include nausea, ...

1 REPLY

Discontinuing lexapro. 10 year old is having violent episodes. He has been taking for four months. Violent episodes started when began lexapro. Recently weaned from abilify. ## Hello, Diane! How is he doing? It would be best to consult the prescribing doctor for the best way to wean off of it and what to replace it with, if he still needs a medication. There can be some withdrawal and rebound symptoms that could make things worse, if he is tapered too rapidly and, at is age, it is best to let his doctor handle the situation for his health and safety. Rebound effects may include nausea, diarrhea, headache, irritability and insomnia. What dosage is he on and what condition is being treated?

1 REPLY

Been on lex for 7 weeks and suddenly my anxiety became worse. I'm now upped to 20mg for the last 4 days. Is this normal or should I be feeling better by now? I did have a week before it got bad again where I was feeling pretty good. Any input would be appreciated! ## Hello, Lizzy! How are you feeling? It will still take about 3 weeks on the higher dosage, before you see an improvement and know if it's working. If it doesn't, or if the symptoms get worse, you may need to try a different medication. Normal side effects to this drug include nausea, dizziness, weight changes and dry mouth. Is there anything else I can help with? ## Thank you for your reply It's now been a few weeks later and I have increases to 30mg. I'm better but still feel the anxiety. I've only b...

2 REPLIES

Hi People, I see that there is a lot of confusion and anxiety out there about Lexapro (and SSRI's in general). So many questions. So many hopes and fears. I decided to share my experience so that maybe I can help someone searching for answers. Firstly, Lexapro effects will generally depend on why you are taking them. For me, I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder back in my early 20's. I'm 43 now. So I have lived with this for a looooong time. I never took an antidepressant for more than a month until I hit age 35. This is because I was an alcoholic in denial. A binge drinker. And you really can't mix antidepressants and booze. If you have a drinking problem then you need to address that before you can ever battle anxiety properly. I know how difficult it is to quit drinkin...

4 REPLIES

3yrs down on Lex after severe depressive, anxiety episode--life changing. Took long time (3mos) to adapt to drug (brain zaps, sleepyness, fog) with initisl 20mg. 10mg per day is my dosage now. Call it my happy pill...given me new lease on life, sleep, etc. If just starting out, keep faith, side affects subcide and body adapts. Never thought depression when happen to me...wrong ## Awesome! I am very glad that it has worked so well for you. And yes, that is correct, side effects will normally subside after 4 to 6 weeks, when your body gets used to the medication. I'd also like to add that if one medication doesn't work for you, there are others that you can try. Are there any questions or comments?

1 REPLY

Hi guys I've been on 30 mg of lexapro and the side effects of fatigue and tiredness have not gone away after 4 years. I just kinda dealt with it but now I wanna switch medicine. My dr offered me Zoloft or pristiq. I have social anxiety and OCD and GAD. Any suggestions would be helpful or if you switched to another medicine and it helped. Thanks and God Bless ## Hello, John! How are you? I've taken Zoloft before and found it to work quite well, though it can cause drowsiness, as a side effect, I found that to only last a short period of time. The worst issue that I've known most people to have with it is weight gain. The FDA lists other possible side effects as including nausea, dizziness, headache and dry mouth. Can anyone that's on Pristiq chime in? ## John, I have trie...

2 REPLIES