About Lexapro Med

Lexapro Med Information

Lexapro Med Information in Q&A

Is it normal to have increased anxiety when reducing a med like Lexapro? and....will the anxiety subside?

FlowersYes replied: "It can be. What does your doctor say about that? He knows you best so there's the source of answers that best apply to your system."

Andy replied: "It makes since to have increased anxiety if you are reducing Lexapro. How long it will last varies from person to person so I can't give an approximate time. I sure hope you feel better soon."

Praying For a Baby BOY! replied: "Ask the Dr. honey."

Anyone gained weight from taking anxiety med: Lexapro? Just want people to share their stories. I've been on this med for about 2 years and over the last year have gained 23 pounds...and still going up :-( The problem is the med works SO well for my anxiety condition.

theresa200586 replied: "i've been on it for 7 months and haven't gained any weight"

~Sugar~ replied: "I gained 10 pounds from being on lexapro,for 3 months,, and stayed steady, but it wasn't helping my depression, so I switched to zoloft, and gained another 15, and it never stopped, I gained alittle more everyday, so I got off it, and went on wellbrutrin XL, which is suppose to help with weight gain. It is a HUGE problem for me, I used to look great, and was even alittle underweight, but now I feel so fat. It took along time to get off of both meds. If you use xanax, it can help if you get anxiety attacks once in a while. I don't know what to do, I need those meds, but somehow, I would rather be skinny, than happy,,, and I know that is wrong, but I am very unhappy when I feel fat, and I don't have as much energy. It seemed to me that Zoloft increases your appetite and slows your metabolism down, while giving you no energy at all. but lexapro, I kept my energy, and it seemed that fixing my anxiety was what made me eat more. When I am really depressed, with anxiety, I can go days without eating. this alone made me gain weight, I mean having my normal appetite back, makes me eat like a normal person again. I tell myself when I lose my weight, I will go back on the medicine that really works for me, but until then I have to suffer through it. I am on a diet right now, and working out, and trying to get through emotional ups and downs. It is so hard."

Weight Gain on Lexapro is this possible? I need options possible change in med's? I am in my mid-40's and with hormone issues and on anti-anxiety med and spoke to my MD and she say's there is no generic and that it is my hormones not the med's putting weight on me. So, now what? I need the med and need to lose 30 lbs.

Paul A replied: "I take generic Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning, and Lexapro (10 mg) with dinner, for depression and anxiety. I've been taking that for over two years, and it's working very well for me. The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more alert and active - and wanting to do things - while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too. They are relatively low doses of each medication, which keeps side effects at a minimum. I really can't tell I'm taking any medication at all. There are a lot of people that take Wellbutrin with their SSRI's and SNRI's, it helps to counteract some of the possible side effects - such as drowsiness, weight gain, and the sexual side effects. It really does make a difference!! The last time I was in the doctor office, I had lost 8 lbs - not a lot, but in the right direction. I give the Wellbutrin SR the credit for the weight loss, since it does help me to be more active."

Elle B replied: "I've been taking Lexapro for the last three years and have gained about 50lbs and constantly feel tired. I just talked to my doctor today and she switched me to exactly the same meds as Paul, 10mg Lexapro at night and 150mg Wellbutrin in the morning. I haven't started yet but am glad to hear it works for some : )"

Does anyone know when the anti-depressant/anxiety med. Lexapro will go generic? My doc once told me that it was in the works to go generic and I was just curious if anyone knew when that would happen.

crazy_fuzzy_bunny replied: "The problem with alot of these drugs is the company who creates them has a lock on the formulary for 10 years before it can become a generic. They can also extend that period by making slight changes to the composition and re-registering it. I honestly don't see it coming out any time soon."

EDtherapist replied: "Sadly, Forest Labs (brand name makers of lexapro) are fighting with Teva (the would-be makers of a generic version), so, the answer is "not for a few years." The FDA has granted final approval for Teva Pharmaceuticals to market a copycat version of Forest Laboratories' Lexapro, expected to launch in 2009. Forest's US revenues are set to take a big hit once this generic arrives, although, luckily for Forest in the short-term at least, Teva is unlikely to triumph in its litigation to challenge Lexapro's patent and launch a generic before 2009. "

i was just diagnosed with PMDD today and put on Lexapro. anybody ever been treated with this med for this b4? i'm just wanting to know what to expect and whatnot. i had no idea i was PMDD, i thought i was just a psycho-B around my period and other times of the month, lol. but it all makes sense with me going off the hinges around ovulation, PMS and period time. i hope this fixes it.... what can you tell me about your personal experience with this condition and medication?

V replied: "I was diagnosed with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) back in 2003, about a year after the birth of my daughter. After my daughter was born, I had a very severe case of PPD (postpartum depression), and I believe that the PMDD stems from the PPD. During my PPD days, I was on many antidepressants, some antipsychotic meds, as well as antianxiety meds. They did help, up to a point, and then my medication dosage needed to be increased, eventually leading to a medication switch. When the PMDD came about, it became even a darker time for me. I was suicidal every month, the desperation was horrible. NONE of the meds I was taking helped my case of PMDD, whereas there are many women who are helped by meds such as Prozac or the generic form of it, Serafem. They did not help me in the least bit. I was hospitalized at one point b/c of the PMDD... as well as once with the PPD. In October of 2006 I began taking Yaz birth control, which has literally saved my life. I no longer take the other meds, except for an occasional Ativan for anxiety. Here is an article about my personal experience... I warn you, it's quite intense. Since you have PMDD, don't ever listen to anyone who tells you that it's "just bad PMS." It's NOT just "bad" PMS. PMDD is a highly debilitating condition, and it is definitely real. Oh, remember, my case of PMDD happened to be one that just wasn't helped by any antidepressants, I don't know why. Many women are taking only Yaz, some are taking a combo of both Yaz and an antidepressant. So, if the Lexapro works for you, that's awesome! (I was on Lexapro during my PPD days, as well as PMDD.) "

YummY MummY replied: "Yea my husband was on Lexapro. He HATED it. It made him sleep for 3days. Its a horrible anti-depression pill. I wouldnt take it if I were you. But then again....Everyones different. Good luck!"

imaschroeder replied: "ok listen carefully please.Lexapro is rough for the first 7 days. STICK WITH IT..ITS WORTH IT! People that say it sucks, yadayada didn't give it time. Usually days 4-7 are the worst. You can look forward to nausea, diarriah, shakes, feeling a bit out of it. Here's what you can do. Take bendryl 45 minutes before bedtime, then take lexapro at bedtime. Head to bed early for a week so you have time to adjust. I was fine by the 7th day. Most important.DO NOT JUST STOP TAKING IT ABRUPTLY.....IT WILL REALLY MESS YOU UP!!!! I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH! MY SISTER DID THAT AND WAS SERIOUSLY ILL FOR 3 WEEKS BEFORE I MADE HER CALL HER DOCTOR AND HE GAVE HER INSTRUCTIONS TO WEAN OFF OF IT. I am soooo much happier now that i am back on it. I don't have psycho periods now. i still get snippy, but i can deal ya know. Stick with it...its worth it."

i have been taking lexapro for almost a week now... i am very nervous about taking med. wen will it help? I have been taking lexapro for a week now, i think it may be working a tiny tiny tiny bit... i amn very nervous about taking a medication.those who are one it, how does it change your mindset? what do you feel or no longer feel when you get better? i dont think i truely understand what this medicine is going to help me do. (ONLY positive answers PLEASE!!!!!!!!)

BUGGYBOOBOO replied: "It has some really sucky sexual side effects for me, be careful"

livinginwi2002 replied: "I take lexapro, I use to worry alot. I didn't notice anything for a few weeks, but then it worked. I stopped worrying about things, which made me feel a lot better. It doesn't turn you into a zombie or anything like that. Just stay on it, and I bet it will help you ."

dylancv62 replied: "......it has sexual side effects.........like..........you have sex forever and never ejaculate.......maybe you'll miss that one....better hope so. It takes about a month to get in your system for the full effect.......it's not something where you go "wow...I feel it working"....it's just a normal everyday feeling but you don't get worked up about things as easily. You're mindset doesn't change......you just don't get as tempermental. Appetite and sleep may change.....could make you drowsy....could suppress your appetite. It works differently on everyone..............GOOD LUCK?!"

rmathis7 replied: "Please look for answers nutritionally instead of medically. good sleep and nutrition beat all meds. take it from someone wrongly diagnosed for 35 years. these doctors just put you in these so called categories and attempt to change your brain chemistry to give you relief. Please dont do this. medicine is evil. sleep and nutirition only. lets get these psychs in the unemployment lines where they belong."

Craig A replied: "Anti-depressants usually take at least two weeks to work. They work by selectively stopping a chemical from overloading your brain so that a balance is achieved. So my guess would be no, they should not affect your mindset in a negative way. It's anti-psychotics that have been shown to negatively change a persons mindset, causing some people to act like zombies. That's not to say that anti-psychotics don't work though. They do work for some people, just not all. ( If a drug causes someone's mindset to change drastically, they usually notice it right away. So if you've been on it for almost a week and you do not feel that it is harming you then I would think it ok to continue.) Trying a drug for a short period of time should not hurt you. I would give it one month. If you dislike how you feel, ask your doctor to ween you down from it. Remember that millions of people would not take these drugs if no one achieved a positive result. As far as side effects go, not everyone has them ,so I would not worry about it."

cally l replied: "One thing I always do when been given a new medication is look it up,to see what its for and see what reactions there are. Lexapro is for severe depression if you think you are then take it if not refuse it as all this type of meds is addictive"

austrnsw replied: "What is Lexapro? Lexapro is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs). Lexapro affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety. Lexapro is used to treat anxiety and major depressive disorder. Take this medication once daily in the morning or evening, with or without food or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If you are using the liquid form of this medication, measure the dose carefully using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. It may take 1 to 2 weeks to feel a benefit from this drug and 4 weeks to feel the full benefit of this medication. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. You should start to feel better in your self it stops you from feeling so down and helps with anxiety too you should start to enjoy life more."

bb89 replied: "you will begin to notice lexapro's effects usually within the first month... ive been on it for a couple months and whilst it's helped me, at the end of the day YOU are the only person in the whole world who can change your mindset. you should begin to notice your moods may not be as low as they were before and maybe if you can afford to do so , consider counselling as this can help with the AD's to help change your mindset. when I began lexapro i was very excited with beginning my road to recovery and that within itself had a 'placebo' affect on my mood and motivation to get well good luck :)"

mercury replied: "As has been stated already, it takes between two and four weeks for Lexapro to start working properly. I undertand you being nervous about taking medication, I have always had a hard time overcoming my mindset & taking my medication. For years now I have been taking one specific medication that really helps me, but even now, I'd be nervous if I had to start taking a new medication. All medications have side effects, and they all effect people differently. Some people have no side effects, some people have some side effects but they are tolerable, some people have side effects that means they stop that medication. The good news is, side effects tend to manifest very quickly - given you have been on it for a week now, any side effects you are likely to experience should already have occured! The rule of thumb is that the side effects manifest quickly, and with SOME side effects, they diminish over time (ie the side effect goes away but the benefit of the meds remains). So, if you haven't noticed anything that bothers you in the last week, you can stop being nervous about taking it! :) Regarding what Craig A said "...They work by selectively stopping a chemical from overloading your brain..." - this is TOTALLY the opposite of how Lexapro (and other SSRI antidepressants) work. They work by selectively BOOSTING a certain chemical in the brain! SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. Depression results in low serotonin levels in the brain and boosting serotonin levels alleviates the depression. Lexapro, and other SSRI antidepressants, work by inhibiting the process by which the brain re-absorbs serotonin. The lexapro makes the serotonin that is released stay around for longer than it would without the Lexapro, so serotonin levels build up to a greater level, alleviating the depression. Lexapro is one of the newest and 'cleanest' (not interfering with other body systems)antidepressants available (although as with all meds there are some people who have intolerable side-effects). What the medicine helps you do, is this : - when you are depressed, you get to the point where even if you know what you have to do to fix your life, you just don't feel able to do it, or just can't get motivated to do it. The anti-depressants should lift your mood (by boosting serotonin levels)to the point that you begin to to make positive changes, and in the best case scenario, end up slowly getting off the antidepressant, with a much improved quality of life. I must say that having counseling of some kind (usually from a psychologist), is worth its weight in gold - they can make the difference between needing to stay on the antidepressant for life, and sorting things out and ending up medication-free with good mental health. Unfortunately, for some people, their brain chemistry is such that serotonin levels remain unbalanced regardless of their situation in life, they will experience severe depression no matter what, and they must remain on medication. Fortunately, with quality treatment & good support, most people can overcome depression & the meds are a temporary part of a permanent solution. Sorry this is so loong, Hope it helps."

olympics junkie replied: "I have no experience with Lexapro, but when I started on Prozac 15 years ago, it took about 3 weeks before I began to feel anything at all, & almost 3 months before I began to feel "normal"..Please be patient, & allow the drug to reach therapeutic levels. Prozac allows me to get out of bed without feeling completely overwhelmed even before my feet hit the floor--it has truly saved my life..."

animaluntamed replied: "I took lexapro for depression and it hightened my anxiety however all Anti depressants work differently depending on their chemical make up, and what receptors in the brain they target. I am now on Effexor and its better for me but everyone is very different - just remeber to have a good realationship with your GP and if you aren't already try to see a clinical psychologist - if you are in Australia and the doctor thinks it can benefit you, they can refer you under Medicare for 8 / 9 sessions and you may not have to pay."

lexapro for people. med? who here is taking lexapro for aniexty and depression? if u do . do u people ever get sleepy alot . i do i get sleepy all the time. i take my lexapro at night. i take 10mg sitting down makes me tired to alot. i need to stand or walk around too as well.

Paul A replied: "I take generic Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning, and Lexapro (10 mg) with dinner, for depression and anxiety. I've been taking that for over two years, and it's working very well for me. The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more alert and active - and wanting to do things - while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too. They are relatively low doses of each medication, which keeps side effects at a minimum. I really can't tell I'm taking any medication at all. I found (by experimenting) that the best time for me to take my Lexapro is with dinner. I sleep better at night, and I'm more awake the next day. Send me an IM or email if you have more questions... Best of luck to you :-)"

Have general anxiety and ADHD, could doctor take me off lexapro and give me a ADHD med? what meds would you take? i have both and the lexapro is NOT helping AT all. but i need to go back to school and just can not focus. =( could my doctor take me off lexapro and give me a ADHD drug?. oh my gosh really!~ you really helped me. ihope thats ture

kakakos replied: "You may take medications for both at the same time."

How to discontinue lexapro and side effects question? Hello everyone I've been taking Lexapro 10mg for about 5 months and am kind of uncomfortable about the fact that I am taking this med. I wanted to ask if this medicine effects your memory in any way. Has anyone heard of this side effect of Lexapro? Secondly, because of the fact that my doctor got angry at me after I asked if I could quit, I thought i would give the internet community a try. How does one quit Lexapro healthily? Please share some of your experiences. It would be great help if the community can answer these 2 questions. Thank you.

aprilangel4 replied: "I just came off mine cold turkey. I had No side effects, but Im not saying u wont. Good Luck"

piepiepie replied: "If your doctor got angry, you should get a new doctor or wean yourself off the medication or quit right away and simply stop seeing him. I don't know what the half life of lexapro is, but I was taking prozac and remeron and just quit my medications 'cold turkey' I experienced headaches, but I don't know whether or not it was due to the meds, because I get headaches anyways. Perhaps just go down to what dosage you were first prescribed for awhile and then quit. Personally, I'd just stop taking them tommorow. Your doctor cannot force you to take medication without a court order and that's very difficult for him to get and impossible if you are not a danger to yourself or others. You could be a dellusional schizophrenic, but if you're not a danger, you have rights. Part of your rights as a possibly mentally ill person is the right to refuse treatment and/or medication. Chances are if you call and cancel your next appointment or don't even bother to show up, nothing will happen, so let the poor bastard get angry. He just wants your money anyways."

Sparkles replied: "All medications have side effects of some kind. Go to webmd.com and pull up Lexapro and it will give you a side effects list. I am coming off of it right now because of weight gain, but it is being replaced at the same time with Cymbalta. When you are coming off of a medication like this without an alternate medication, you take a huge chance of having greater anxiety or depression. If your Doctor is angry go to another one and explain you history and concerns about this. He may put you on another med. that better suits your needs. Don't give up because you have to find a med that fits your needs and body. Good Luck."

Danny replied: "Hi. compared to other SSRI's this drug seems to give the most problems coming off it. Take a look how this this person (source) did it. If you decide to stop -tell your doctor that you ARE going to quit and want he's/her help to do this. To avoid any complications the doctor is required to help you stop or refer you to someone who will. By not doing this your doctor is putting you in serious danger. -Tell your doctor what you want and ASK if he will help you stop."

chascel replied: "I've been taking 20mg Lexapro for over a year and personally have noticed problems with my memory. I have to write down lists and reminders constantly and even forget that I've written the reminders sometimes! It's crazy. I also feel like I'm in a "fog", everything seems to be dulled and not as clear as it once was. (If that makes sense) As for your doctor getting mad at you for wanting to stop taking your Lexapro, I would try to change doctors if it's possible. He/she shouldn't react that way. Your doctor should be there for you and help inform you of other treatment options available. Lexapro is only one of several SSRI medications out there. Chances are though, if you are uncomfortable taking Lexapro, you will not be comfortable taking one of the others. Been there, done that. I did try to stop taking the Lexapro and switch to Wellbutrin a couple months ago, but experienced terrible "electric shocks" in my head, numbness in my tongue and lip, dizziness and nightmares. I was also VERY irritable and had bouts of crying for no reason. I did some research and found that some of these were common symptoms of SSRI discontuation syndrome. I elected to go back onto the Lexapro because the symptoms were completely unbearable. If you decide to stop taking your medication, tapering the dosage is considered safer than just quitting "cold turkey", you are less likely to experience side effects this way. You can read about SSRI discontuation syndrome, its symtoms, prevention and treatment here: ."

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