Lexapro (escitalopram) is a widely used and effective selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for treating anxiety and depression. Its primary pros include its effectiveness and generally well-tolerated side effect profile, while the cons involve potential side effects (especially sexual dysfunction) and the need for careful medical supervision when starting or stopping the medication.
Serotonin syndrome: Serotonin syndrome can occur when too much serotonin builds up in the body — symptoms include confusion, agitation, and fever. This is a known possible side effect of Lexapro to be aware of. Mania: Lexapro can trigger manic episodes in some people taking it for bipolar disorder.
Antidepressants like escitalopram help to improve or lift your mood so you feel better. You may notice that you sleep better and get on with people more easily because you're less anxious. You will hopefully be more relaxed about things that used to worry you. Escitalopram will not change your personality.
Yes. One of the non-specific side effects of Lexapro is joint pain.
Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, red or dark brown urine, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, small, red or purple spots on skin, unusual bleeding or bruising.
Your mood is improving: One of the most common indications that Lexapro is working is improved mood. You have more energy or motivation: A shift in energy, especially in the mornings, is often one of the first signs that Lexapro is working.
The dermatological side-effects or cutaneous reactions due to SSRI class of antidepressants is rare. Though there were few case reports of SSRI-induced rash due to fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline, the evidence associated with escitalopram, the highly prescribed antidepressant is comparatively less.
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.
Key Points. Acute pain in multiple joints is most often due to inflammation, gout, or the beginning or flare up of a chronic joint disorder. Chronic pain in multiple joints is usually due to osteoarthritis or an inflammatory disorder (such as rheumatoid arthritis) or, in children, juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Within 24 hours of starting escitalopram, the patient experienced angioedema with periorbital swelling, lip and tongue swelling, urticaria of the face and arms, shortness of breath, and difficulty swallowing.
Gastrointestinal: Nausea, Diarrhea, Constipation, Indigestion, Abdominal pain, Vomiting, Flatulence, Toothache. Psychiatric Disorders: Insomnia, Somnolence, Tinnitus, Loss of appetite, Loss of libido.
Other side effects include influenza-like symptoms and pain in the neck or shoulders.
I was going through a difficult time, and instead of being guided through it, I was chemically numbed. I have never been a “soft” female. I never enjoyed romantic films, I enjoyed horror movies instead, and sobbing was never my go-to response to life. But on Lexapro, sobbing just disappeared.
Stopping escitalopram
If you have been feeling better for 6 months or more, your doctor may suggest coming off escitalopram. Your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks, or longer if you have been taking escitalopram for a long time.
Does Lexapro make you forgetful? Some people may notice mild memory problems or difficulty concentrating while taking Lexapro. These cognitive side effects are not common and often lessen over time or with dose adjustments under a doctor's supervision.
commonly observed adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5% and at least twice the incidence of placebo patients) are: insomnia, ejaculation disorder (primarily ejaculatory delay), nausea, sweating increased, fatigue and somnolence, decreased libido, and anorgasmia (6.1).
The Role of Vitamin D
Furthermore, some research suggests that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to an increased risk and severity of osteoarthritis, a common cause of joint pain. Ensuring adequate vitamin D levels through sunlight exposure, diet, or supplementation can be a crucial step in managing joint discomfort.
For people of any age with arthritis, walking is especially good medicine. It strengthens muscles, which helps shift pressure from joints and reduce pain. And a regular walking routine compresses and releases the cartilage in your knees, helping circulate synovial fluid that brings oxygen and nourishes your joints.
Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, as well as topical ointments and patches can help with pain relief, but don't discount the power of movement, says Christopher. In addition to routine aerobic exercise, try gentle stretching, yoga or a muscle massage.
Fatigue, drowsiness
SSRIs and SNRIs
However, people may also experience various other effects while taking SSRI and SNRI medications, including blurry vision. SSRIs that may produce this side effect include: Celexa (citalopram) Lexapro (escitalopram)
Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have anxiety, change or loss of consciousness, confusion as to time, place, or person, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, extremely high fever or body temperature, holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact, hyperventilation, increased sweating, irregular ...
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.
Hair loss is one of the more distressing potential side effects of antidepressants, including Lexapro (escitalopram). While this reaction is uncommon, affecting approximately 1 in 100 to 1,000 people taking the medication, it can be particularly upsetting for those who experience it.
Serious side effects. Book an appointment with your doctor if: you lose or gain weight without trying. you get changes in your periods, such as heavy bleeding, spotting or bleeding between periods.