Lexapro? Pros and cons, please.

Has anyone had good success in using escitalopram for anxiety disorder? If so, how long did you take the drug before it started to work? I’m skeptical about SSRIs for anxiety.

@meingan: I’ve been on Escitalopram for a couple years (began with 5mg & now on 10mg). In my experience I noticed a “lighter load” within the first week. If I mistakenly miss a dose I can tell I am having a bad day. This told me I need this drug to keep me emotionally balanced. Success!

@dbamos1945 Thank you so much for responding. I’m absolutely frightened of drugs and this gives me hope. God bless you. 🙏

After 52 years of marriage, my wife passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at home which shocked me. After a week of high blood pressure, my doc put me on 10 mg and that was in Feb 2025. I am still on 10 mg and getting by well. Recently, same doc said for me to stay on the 10 mg which I plan to do. I calmed me down and took the edge off. For me, no side effects but it can also depend on other meds or supplements you are taking. Best to you.

@njed Appreciate your input very much. Thank you. 🙏

I took it for 4 days and quit on the 5th. First day I experienced complete numb feeling in my genitals. It completely felt like nothing was there. By the 3rd day it was no better, called the doctor and with details just said I wanted to quit. He said cut the pill in half and take 5mg for 2 days and quit I took 1 day of 5mg then quit completely. All is well now. I guess I'll deal with my anxiety. I had no depression so I cant elaborate on how it does with that.

@azientarsky
What was the experience you had that was horrific?
Please let me know. I’m on it

Hi, can I increase from 5mg of Lexapro to 10 mg after 3 weeks? Will I have intense anxiety if I up the dose?
Any thoughts, suggestions most appreciated.

Hi @cooper1990 - glad you're here at Mayo Clinic Connect.

I moved your post to this discussion where others are discussing escitalopram (Lexapro):

- Escitalopram (Lexapro) for Anxiety https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/escitalopram-lexapro-for-anxiety/

I'm hoping members in this discussion such as @meingan @njed @dbamos1945 will offer input on whether they have been through increases of this medication before and how that went.

Are you and/or your doctor feeling like you need a higher dosage at this point, cooper1990? What have you experienced as far as your anxiety at the 5mg dose?

I have been on 10 mg per day due to unexpected death of wife as mentioned back in March and I am still on this dosage. At this point, no interest is discontinuing and doing OK. Ed