Lexapro

Hi everybody,

After being counseled for several weeks I was referred to my doctor for medication, who prescribed me Lexapro for depression. I'm a little bit wary because I know its a new medication. I'm also nervous because I know not everybody has good experiences with antidepressants and I've read about people who had problems with Lexapro, but my doctor seems completely supportive of the medication and says there are no side affects. I was wondering if those of you who have taken Lexapro or know somebody who has could share your experiences with it? That would be really helpful.

Hi, Welcome to PC!

I'm actually on Lexapro. My first time on an antidepressant as well. It's pretty good. It's a lot more concentrated than it's cousin drug Celexa, but apparently has less side effects.

The first few days are a little miserable, until you get used to it (I had dry mouth, bland taste to food, nausea, dizziness... basically all typical symptoms).

I have noticed a slight weight gain, which is typical for an AD. Besides that though, I love it. It works really well for me.

http://psychcentral.com/meds/lexapro.html

Hello pianogirl

I was on Lexapro for several months - I had zero side effects while on it and I had no side effects when I quit taking it. The reason that I was taking it was situationally induced and once my situation changed I did not need it but while I was taking it, it was a huge help.

Hope this helps.

Pianogirl,
I'm on Lexapro which is my first AD. I've been really happy with the results. I had some headaches for the first few days, but no noticible side effects since. I think I've even lost a few pounds, but I doubt that's related. I started at 10mg but didn't' see a lot of effects so after a couple months I went up to 20mg. I noticed a reduction in both depression and anxiety symptoms. Hope it works well for you.

I was on Lexapro for about 6 months. It really, really helped my depression. I liked it A LOT. But suddenly I got "brain zaps" from it - which was not a painful side-effect but a very uncomfortable one. I really did not want to switch until it became too much for me.

Other then that, I really liked it, and hope it works for you!

I was on it back in 2002 or so for a short time and I didn't like it. It made it hard to concentrate on anything, which I suppose is it's purpose. But when tattooing, I needed to concentrate. Instead, I felt like a robot, just going through the motions. I was told that it takes 2 weeks to get into your system, making it one of the faster treatment options (if that's true). I was also on Rimeron at the same time so I could get some sleep.

After about 2-3 months of the Lexapro, I just quit taking it and can't remember any negative effects.

stormyangels, what are brain zaps? People have mentioned them on this forum before but I don't know what they are or what they feel like. I get headachs a lot, but I guess that must be something different.

Lemon,

It feels like a jolt of electricity through the brain/head. This buzz/vibration feeling had made me feel disorientated.

It is usually a part of withdrawing from the SSRI family of drugs, but it was happening to me while on the medication.

Wikipedia describes it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_zaps

brain zaps I use to get them but not on lexapro.I took it for a couple of months not sure what it did didnt give it alot of time .Whats hard about meds. is we all want to feel them working and in most cases if you feel them working right a way they knock you out . It takes time for the right meds. to work its very slow so most times you dont see or feel the changes till you look back at your self months to a year later .I heard great things about lexapro but the only way you are going to know if its right for you is to give a try and enough time to work.

I am Bipolar and was given Lexapro in the hospital to help me out of a terrible depression. I am already on mood stabilizers, but they did not get rid of the depression. Lexapro worked wonders and got rid of my remaining symptoms and helped me feel better.

Alot of people I know are on it. The only bad thing is that since it comes in 10 mg, when you reduce your dose, you have to cut pills

im finding it really good..it makes my head feel clear....but i've had to have it increased three times coz each time after a while i started going backwards again...but this last time it seems to be kinda stabalizing me..slowly slowly tho....for me it's important to remember that it's not a miracle pill..it's not going to make me happy and it's not going to solve all my problems..but it makes me think clearly...and concentrate...and not feel so low...and makes me kinda a bit more hopeful..and i think of ending my life a lot less as things have started to get better...which is huge..coz that was a daily occurrence of thoughts and plans for a very long time...because i was just so low and my head was so confused and i couldnt think...its amazing to have a clear head..the only downside is..it gives me shocking heart burn...but made a lot less intense with pariet...but im losing weight coz i keep throwing up...which is kinda alright for me in the interim...