Yes, Lexapro (escitalopram) can cause weird limb sensations, including tingling, numbness, tremors (shaking), muscle aches, restlessness (like Restless Legs Syndrome), clumsiness, or even electric-shock-like feelings (brain zaps), often due to its effects on serotonin, with these potentially easing or indicating serotonin syndrome or withdrawal.
You may feel dizzy and drowsy.
Lexapro also puts you in a weird head space—it can cause dizziness or drowsiness. The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) recommends that you don't drive until you know how you feel on the medication.
Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
dizziness and/or feeling unsteady. headaches. numbness or tingling in hands or feet. sleep disturbances (vivid dreams, nightmares, not being able to sleep)
Serotonin syndrome—irritability, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness, twitching muscles, sweating, high fever, seizure, chills, vomiting, diarrhea. Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss.
SSRI antidepressant side effects
Some patients taking SSRIs develop insomnia, skin rashes, headaches, joint and muscle pain, stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea. These problems are usually temporary or mild or both.
Common side effects
Take your time. You may be tempted to stop taking antidepressants as soon as your symptoms ease, but depression can return if you quit too soon. Clinicians generally recommend staying on the medication for six to nine months before considering going off antidepressants.
When serotonin levels are stabilized, it can help alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, serotonin also affects other aspects of emotional regulation. In some cases, the medication can dampen both negative and positive emotions, leading to a feeling of emotional numbness.
Some people taking antidepressants feel 'numb' or emotionally 'blunted. ' This can happen with different types of antidepressants, like SSRIs and bupropion.
Fatigue, drowsiness
How long will Lexapro side effects last? These side effects will likely dissipate after your first one to two weeks of taking the medication. If they persist longer, talk to your care provider. They may adjust your dosage or prescribe a different medication altogether.
It has been reported that RLS severity and frequency increase in patients with anxiety and depression. It has been reported that serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors such as venlafaxine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline can cause RLS symptoms.
With Lexapro, mental clarity may feel blurry, and some people report feeling a little “numb” emotionally or more tired than usual during the early stages. Others might feel more energetic or even restless before things settle. This early period can be confusing, so having a doctor guide you through it is important.
Get an evaluation and prescription online from a licensed psychiatric provider to improve your mental health. First dose – a couple of weeks: When starting Lexapro, be patient. Your body will adjust to the medication, and you might start to feel some symptom relief within a couple of weeks.
Check with your doctor right away if you have confusion, headache, memory problems, trouble concentrating, weakness, or unsteadiness. This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy, have trouble with thinking or controlling body movements.
Fatigue affects 5-8% of Lexapro users and typically appears within the first week of treatment, often improving after 2-4 weeks. Taking Lexapro in the evening and maintaining good sleep hygiene can help reduce daytime drowsiness and energy dips.
In most cases, feelings of numbness go away when you stop taking the antidepressant that is causing you to feel this way. If you feel emotionally numb, it's important to tell your doctor. Don't stop taking your antidepressant without talking to your doctor first.
Feeling overly numb or detached
There are emotional side effects of taking an antidepressant that's too high in dosage, too. This can result in feeling numb or detached from your world and the people in it. A feeling of disconnect isn't a normal — or healthy — response to antidepressant medication.
The duration of Lexapro treatment varies depending on the individual and the severity of the condition. Typically, treatment may last anywhere from 6 months to a year for those recovering from a single depressive episode or period of anxiety.
Common Lexapro side effects include nausea, headache, and diarrhea. It can also cause trouble sleeping and sexual problems. Some of these side effects eventually go away as your body gets used to the medication. More serious Lexapro side effects include abnormal bleeding and suicidal thoughts.
The hardest antidepressants to come off are typically those with short half-lives, meaning they leave the body quickly, leading to more intense withdrawal (discontinuation syndrome); prominent examples include Paroxetine (Paxil), Venlafaxine (Effexor), and Fluvoxamine (Luvox), with Venlafaxine often cited for particularly severe withdrawal. In contrast, Fluoxetine (Prozac), with its long half-life, is generally considered the easiest to stop due to its gradual exit from the body.
the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with escitalopram: aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin® IB), naproxen (Aleve®), St. John's wort, or tryptophan. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking escitalopram.
Just as with any other medication, there are some side effects associated with taking Lexapro. Some people may experience them, while others may not. With Lexapro (and some other similar medications), side effects can be especially prevalent in the first week or so.
Yes. One of the non-specific side effects of Lexapro is joint pain. Not all patients may experience it. But if your symptoms are worsening with time, seek the help of a medical professional at the earliest.