Lexapro? Pros and cons, please.

Thank you so much. It’s comforting to know this drug works for others. I may need to change the dosage, however, once I’m up and get on with my day I am better than I was. The thoughts when wakening were concerning me, so good to know someone has had similar experience (and I’m not going crazy) 😉. I wish I could lose the feeling of dread when I wake up, maybe in time. Thanks again

I’ve been on lexapro for many years. I was taking 40 mg for severe depression and anxiety and it worked wonderfully. This summer I had to come off of it because I wasn’t able to take pills and I actually didn’t experience any withdrawal effects. I was on it at 20 mg since August angain and it stopped working so I’m getting off at the moment.

@kathyoung
My medication specialist asked me if I would like to increase my dosage if my depression, anxiety, stress was reaching a point where starting to affect my lifestyle.

I stated let me add to my exercise routine (had been slacking off) to see if that helps and get back with you. I picked up doing water aerobics again, riding my bike, swimming all do wonders to my well being and did not increase my dosage.

If you like a specific exercise try that (after checking with doctor if okay) to see if helps. Exercise creates endorphins which can help improve well-being. Do you have a hobby or think you might to try one? This can help with anxiety and stress.

I bring those to your attention as my medical providers really stress for me to continue my exercise and hobbies. When I don't do them my stress and anxiety soars. Just something to consider beyond increase or change in medications.

I take 20 mg of Lexapro everyday. I am not sure if it helps or not. I have chronic pain so I am always fighting depression. I tried to come off it . I was extremely dizzy. Could barely walk across floor. I take ativan and remeron. I don't think any antidepressants help me feel happier. But once I stopped them and it was a nighmare.

@yram
This comes from my Mayo medication psychiatric specialist not me giving medical advice.

When you take drugs like Lexapro they are intended to bring you back to normal level and will not bring you above that level.

You have chronic pain. My wife deals with that all the time and is on Lexapro also.

Can I mention to consider a hobby or exercise to help improve your depression and helping you feel better. Both release endorphins which have a hormonal affect for feelling good.

I know you mentioned chronic pain. I have an old herniated disk in my back. So I do water aerobics where I am chest high in water and almost no weight on my legs or back. I can exercise without aggravating my back. I totally enjoy it and do 5 days a week. When I miss a class I feel down so you can see where the endorphin play a role in this.

If you can't exercise or have access to a pool consider a hobby you would like to do. Then do it and it will help with moods and depression. I have posted many times that I have read about a dozen books on FDR. He was under tremendous stress during WWII. He would take time almost every day to work on his stamp collection which brought much needed stress relief.

You can read he also used the White House Pool (I think it was he who had it built) but was alwasy going to the hot water springs in GA. There he could get in water and be weightless which again brought him a lot of stress relief.

@jc76 Thank you for the positive feedback on Lexapro. Paxil stopped working for me and now i am on a slow taper to Lexapro. I’m hoping it works. Paxil is hard to taper off of so I’m dealing the the withdrawal but I feel I’m going in the right direction with Lexapro.
Mjdennis

@kathyoung: Kathy, I have dealt with chronic, seemingly unbearable pain, so I can relate to your feelings (Lower lumbar, bilateral kidney stones, cancer). We are each individuals and our chemical make-up different; therefore, our bodies react differently than perhaps our mds predicted. Please advocate for yourself - I have found my researching treatments before my md appt arm me with info regarding specific meds my dr suggests. We need docs that listen to us! Talk to your friends and peers about treatments available and even the md they are happy with. You are important and need best meds to relieve your pain as much as is possible. Best health ahead…
dbamos1945

@dbamos1945

Thank you so much. I do exercise, primarily because I need a knee replacement and I’m trying to keep the muscles and joints moving. I go to the gym and bike as well as do exercises for my shoulders BUT I have slacked off recently so I will get myself back there! It would be good if it helped the depression too. I had breast cancer a year ago as well, stage 1 with no lymph gland involvement, I was very lucky and I don’t think that contributed to the depression but maybe I’m fooling myself. I also lost my best friend to cancer in June. That has left a huge void in my life, she was a soul mate and I miss her terribly. Now that I’m writing this I guess it seems obvious, I just wish I could lose this feeling of nervousness I have all the time. I do have Adavan as well but I try not to take it often.
Thank you all for the support!

@cyncox9364
What did your brain zaps actually feel like
I have been getting small head pains randomly not sure if that is a brain zap

Pros and cons of Lexapro (escitalopram) —feedback that people often seek on forums and from clinical sources. Everyone’s experience can be different, and medical guidance from a healthcare provider is essential.

Pros (Potential Benefits):

1. Can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
Lexapro is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and is widely used because many people feel their mood improves and anxiety decreases when the medication takes effect (typically over a few weeks).

2. May improve quality of life
Many users report that they can function better daily — including managing stress, maintaining work, and engaging in social activities — once the medication starts working. Some forum posts describe decreased panic attacks and reduced suicidal thoughts compared with before treatment.

3. Tends to be relatively well-tolerated among SSRIs
compared with some older antidepressants, Lexapro is often considered to have a lower risk of sedation and fewer drug interactions.

4. Fewer interactions with other drugs (than several other antidepressants)
This can make it a safer option if you’re taking multiple medications.

Cons (Side Effects & Risks):

1. Common side effects
Many people experience mild side effects, especially at the start, such as:

Insomnia or drowsiness.

Nausea or digestive changes.

Headache, dizziness, fatigue.

Dry mouth.

Increased sweating.

Sexual side effects (like decreased libido or difficulty with orgasm) — relatively common with SSRIs.

2. Potential serious side effects (less common but important)
These can include:

Serotonin syndrome (rare but serious if taken with certain other drugs).

Increased risk of suicidal thoughts in young people (under age 25) — a boxed warning applies to all antidepressants in this age group.

Bleeding risk when combined with NSAIDs or blood thinners.

Very rarely: seizures or severe allergic reactions.

3. Emotional blunting or changes in personality
Some users describe feeling less emotional depth or “numb” feelings — which for some is helpful (fewer intense negative feelings), but others find it dulls positive emotions too.

4. Withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.
Stopping Lexapro suddenly can cause dizziness, irritability, headache, or “brain-zaps” (sensations like electric shocks). Tapering slowly under medical guidance is recommended.

5. Weight changes:
Some people experience weight gain over time, though this varies a lot from person to person.

6. Variable individual experience:
Not everyone benefits — some people report worsening symptoms or intolerable side effects. Forums include reports of increased anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or other negative effects in a minority of users.

Notes:

Takes time to work: It can take several weeks to notice full benefits, and side effects may ease as your body adjusts.

Don’t mix with alcohol without talking to your doctor: It can worsen side effects like drowsiness or dizziness.

Effectiveness varies: Some people benefit greatly, others find it less helpful, and a few cannot tolerate it at all.

What People on Forums Report: (Varied Real-World Experiences)

Positive experiences include:

Fewer panic attacks.
Better ability to function and work.
Improved mood and reduced suicidal thoughts.

Challenges reported include:

Emotional blunting or feeling “numb”.
Sexual side effects.
Weight gain.
Persistent fatigue or lethargy.

Individual stories vary widely, and online feedback includes both positive and negative experiences.

Bottom Line:

Lexapro can be an effective treatment for depression and anxiety for many people, often with a tolerable side-effect profile compared to older antidepressants. But like all medications, it has potential benefits and downsides, and responses differ from person to person. Decisions about starting, adjusting, or stopping Lexapro should always be made with a *healthcare provider*.

Source's:

FDA Prescribing Information (official label with side effects & warnings):
https://www.fda.gov/media/135185/download — Lexapro side effects and usage info from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

MedlinePlus Drug Information:
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603005.html — Detailed overview of escitalopram use, risks, and precautions

General Drug Summaries:

WebMD — Escitalopram (Lexapro) overview:
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-63990/lexapro-oral/details — Descriptions of uses and possible side effects

Drugs.com — Lexapro uses & side effects:
https://www.drugs.com/lexapro.html — Common and serious side effects, plus precautions to discuss with your doctor

Drugs.com — Escitalopram overview:
https://www.drugs.com/escitalopram.html — General info about what escitalopram is and how it’s used

Health Summaries & Side Effect Info:

Healthline — Lexapro side effects:
https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/lexapro — Lists common side effects and considerations

GoodRx — Lexapro side effects:
https://www.goodrx.com/lexapro/lexapro-side-effects — Breakdown of frequently reported side effects

Talkspace — Lexapro review:
https://www.talkspace.com/blog/Lexapro/ — Discusses pros/cons, how it makes people feel, and common effects

International Perspective:

NHS — Common questions about escitalopram:
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/escitalopram/common-questions-about-escitalopram/ — General UK-based info on side effects, weight, sexual effects, and long-term use