What do you think of Lexapro?

@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

@bamabelle
If I even HAD some side-effects, I’d know it was doing SOMETHING. 💊

Everyone is different, and many people love it, but I think it drained me of who I was. I feel like a completely different person. I can't laugh, smile, cry, yell. Everything is fake. I unfortunately wasn't given a choice and was forced on the pill by the eating disorder rehab I was at and I will forever blame them for forcing me on this. This is my third attempt at getting off this medication and the withdrawals are insane. Makes you really question the horrible effects it has on you if getting off is a whole process. Definitely don't reccomend SSRIs

I agree SSRIs are really awful to get off of. I don’t have an answer to another med except the dopamine receptor meds like Wellbutrin and they may not give you what you need for anxiety symptoms. I just know that once I am off Effexor I am done with SSRI medication. The withdrawal is terrible.
Anyone on these meds should be in direct contact with a doctor and be super careful. Depression is really hard too so stay the course you and your doctor work out.

@dwheels8

Didn’t think it came in that high a dose. Congratulations!! 🏆

Also, have noticed it tends to promote ‘brisk indifference’. But don’t care.

I've had depression off and on during my adult life. I took Prozac off and on and it worked.
I had a gene study done and Lexapro was recommended so I took it and at the time while I was recovering from long Covid.
Lexapro is poison to my system I didn't realize how debilitating it made me and certainly did not help with the depression but made me so tired and dull. I thought this was due to the long Covid. I stopped taking the Lexapro and day by day I felt better and better. After a few weeks I really felt like myself I would never recommend Lexapro to anyone who has a slow metabolism because it just brings you down.
Everyone is different but this was my experience.

@doane this is not rare at all. The doctors do not admit that it’s dangerous I have had a horrific experience and tapered off after 8 years of that poison