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Lexapro
Lexapro is the trade name of the antidepressant drug escitalopram. Approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration, Lexapro is used to treat anxiety and major depressive disorders. The drug’s side effects include dizziness, insomnia, constricted pupil, constipation and fatigue.
718 Questions
Does Lexapro cause weight gain and what can you do to lose the weight?
The best way to lose weight regardless of the medications you are on is to eat a healthy diet free of fattening and junk foods and exercise regularly. If you are having a difficult time losing the weight, you may want to keep a stricter watch on what you are eating and perhaps exercise more.
While most people lose weight on Lexapro and it is supposed to be completely weight neutral, all pharmaceuticals affect each individual differently, so it is certainly possible that it could result in some people gaining weight. Perhaps you should talk to your doctor and get his or her recommendations.
Can Lexapro cause a missed period?
What supplements can you take for fatigue and anxiety for lexapro withdrawal?
Having been off lexapro, cold turkey, for a week, I understand all of the dizziness and fatigue that you are experiencing. But, yesterday, I fell on a conclusion and a cure for the lexapro withdrawal. Apparently, when you go off lexapro, during the withdrawal phase, you feel dizzy because your brain doesn't produce enough of the essential nuerotransmitter, acetylcholine. This can be balance with strong b-vitamin supplements (make sure the supplement contains choline bitartrate). There are also foods that should be eaten to boost acetylcholine levels. Egg yolks, milk, and meat contain the essential amino acids to help your body compensate for the loss of ssri's. The combination of food and supplements has completely stopped my dizziness. I feel overall, a little tired, (i think from withdrawal, not from vitamins), but I feel a heck of a lot better than I did two days ago. If you are going through lexapro wthdrawal , I strongly urge you to try these things, I cn't communicate the difference they havemade for me.
like a dream. I was no longer anxious to speak in front of people, I was able to concentrate better and I had an over all positive view on life. After a while, I began noticing that I have absolutely no drive. I cant get out of bed, and I dont care. I gained 25 lbs--I have been developing leg jerks at night. Alcohol cravings and carb cravings hit an all time high, I would eat and drink constantly.
So, I decided to stop. With all of the messages out there not to do what I did, I was a bit frightened, but I did it anyway. I am a little dizzy, I have brain 'shocks', and I had a slight anxious reaction when I was walking up to a group of people. BUT I can get out of bed without fatigue, I am not eating everything in sight, and I am starting to fell like myself again.
It seems like no matter if you taper or just come off it cold turkey, you will get the same symptoms. Its nothing I cant handle. I get dizzy, it goes away, I am fine. I get iritable. VERY irritable... but it is just like anything else, you CONTROL yourself.
I am begining to think that these brain meds are really screwing with peoples heads, they havent been out that long, who knows what studies will conclude in 20 years...
So far to minimize symptoms of withdrawal, I have just taken deep breathing, drank alot of water, and told myseld, that I have control over my emotions. Nothing else. I am still going thru the withdrawal, but I will keep you all posted when the symptoms subside
This Question Lacks an Answer
Previously posted answer was nonsense about herbal supplements and how we all need to turn to god (thank you, but I am fine without fairy tales to comfort me). I am currently suffering through withdrawal and came here in hopes of finding some way to ease the symptoms. Would someone with an actual answer please post?
2nd Time Posting This
Luckily, people haven't deleted the "discussion" about this yet, so I can copy and paste my response to this again. Too easy to delete answers here.
(1) On October 28, 2007 at 01:19 am Leetie [9] said:
I've gone through this two times. Do it the wrong way (stop taking Lexapro), and it can be really bad. There are no ways to "ease" the symptoms. The best thing to do is to minimize their occurrence, and to do this, you need to taper-off VERY SLOWLY. Seriously. Once you have the withdrawal symptoms, you just have to deal with them, which is just too horrible. There are no ways to ease them. So try to bring them on in the most gentle way possible. DO NOT JUST STOP TAKING LEXAPRO!!! I cut all of my pills in half and then into quarters and dropped my dosage by the lowest possible pill denomination (2.5 mg, which is 1/4 of a pill) at a time. Stay at each lowered dosage for a minimum of 2 weeks, or one week longer than your withdrawal symptoms last; which means, every time you cut down a dose, wait until you feel "pretty good" for about a week before you cut down again. Don't rush it. I've read that if you take plenty of omega-3 throughout the ordeal, it is supposed to help. I started taking it about a week before I even started cutting down my dosage. I have to say that overall, my symptoms these last few weeks have been a far cry from what they were the first time I tried to get off of Lexapro. It was absolutely intolerable the first time. You need to be prepared. Do as much research as you can. Here are a few resources that I found pretty interesting: tapersafely.org; theroadback.org. Today (10-27-07) I am on my 3rd day of ZERO Lexapro in my system, after starting a taper-down on September 10. I'm feeling jittery in my head with a constant, strange, lightheaded dizzy-ish but without the spins feeling all day. Not sure what to do about it except try to be healthy every other way that I can. I hope it goes away soon. And best wishes to you.
UPDATE: 1/19/07: Had the most horrific month after getting down to zero milligrams. Eye/ear/brain hypersensitivity, freezing cold, memory loss. If you're interested, you can read my journal about it here. Doing much better now.
Aleve helped a tiny bit. Took the edge off. Xanax too. Omega-3 is definitely good for your nervous system. Best wishes.
Here is another discussion: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_long_should_you_taper_off_20mg_of_Lexparo_that_you_have_been_on_for_almost_three_years
- How to have no more symptoms! - I came to this site a few days ago when I had terrible withdrawal symptoms- I wanted to share with you something that I found takes the symptoms away for me. I don't know why it works - but it honestly does. I looked on-line at many other sites and wrote down all the suppliments people suggested, went out and bought them and the day I started taking them the symptoms completely went away. Here is what you need: *Omega 3 fish oil soft-gels 1200mg, Bee Pollen 500mg, Folic Acid 800mcg, B-6 100mg, and Calcium Magnesium. I am not a health nut and usually don't take vitamins or supplements...but I was out of work 4 days with horrible flu like symptoms, had constant brain zaps, dizzy, could not sleep. The day I started taking all of these......they all went away! Take them all first thing in the morning - one day I waited until lunch and had symptoms again. Good Luck! So far I have gone 5 days without any symptoms.
What kind of doctor treats hyponatremia?
A generalist, internist, or an endocrinologist. You may be referred to a nephrologist.
Do you have to wean off lexapro to start taking Cymbalta?
Cymbalta is an SNRI, meaning it increases both serotonin and norepinephrine, while lexapro is an SSRI, meaning it increases only serotonin. These drugs that inhibit the reuptake of neurotransmitters MUST BE SWITCHED GRADUALLY. If switching from cymbalta to lexapro, the physician should induce a "step-down" therapy on the cymbalta while inducing a "step-up" therapy on lexapro. This ensures a level amount of drug in the blood, and minimizes the chance of recurrence and adverse effects.
Can you take a Lexapro with percocet?
i took percocets after I had hand surgery and i've been taking lexapro for a couple months now. I was told it is fine that i did so, and everything went well. Although, everyone's body can react to pills in a different way. Definitely make sure your not taking too much, obviously do not overdose.
Is it safe to drink while on Lexapro?
Medically I am not certain.Although my husband was on Lexapro for about 2 years and his alcohol consumption did not vary much.My personal opinion (since I was the one watching and documenting behaviors as they changed his meds) is that alcohol seems to lessen the effects of the Lexapro.Or else the depression and repression of emotions with alcohol added are too strong for the dosage he was taking,which was 20mg,to handle.Lexapro is a tough ride for anyone using it for bi-polar manic depression.My husband lives in the manic side of this disorder most of the time.So the dosage for him was to calm him and keep him focused.Alcohol obviously does the opposite for anyone on the medication or not.The effects of stopping this medication "cold turkey" can be devastating for the loved ones or co-workers!Much more so than the person coming off of it!The side effects should be told to you by your prescribing Dr. or your pharmacist.I hope this insight helped at least a little.
Answer
I'm a college student and I was on Lexapro for several months. However, when I started on it, I never really heeded the warning on the script about drinking. So, I'd go out and drink my normal amount (not much at all) but I'd go from fine and a little buzzed to practically blacking out. There were times I don't remember a large portion of the night, which started freaking me out. It didn't take me long to figure out it was from the Lexapro. I also have a couple of friends who have experienced the same thing. Eventually I would just not take it on Fridays or Saturdays...which did help, but I wouldn't recommend skipping doses. I would just say you're better off not drinking, as Lexapro definitely has a huge and immediate effect...you'll go from totally fine to waking up the next morning wondering what happened.
There is NO prescription drug that is not altered by Alcohol. Some are worse than others and some have long-term effects. Long-term as in reproductive problems, heart problems and neurological damage. So as a rule of thumb it is most advisable to NEVER consume Alcohol while taking ANY Prescription drug.
Y-THINK-Y
answer
Alcohol is a depressant and lexapro is and anti-depressant, so drinking will lessen the effects of the lexapro. Anyone who is depressed or bi-polar shouldn't drink anyways. Alcohol will alter the effects of ANY drug.
i am currently on lexapro 20mg and have been for about 6 months. before that i was on lexapro 10mg and before that Zoloft 20mg. my experience of drinking while on the lexapro is that i am fine until the next day. my behaviour and feelings while drinking are the same as when i wasn't on any medication. however, whether hung over or not i experience severe sadness and suicidal thoughts for anything a day to weeks after drinking. as a general rule i do not drink at all anymore because the aftermath is so devastating.
Is propranolol a maoi inhibitor?
No, Propranolol does not contain MAO inhibitors. It is used to treat hypertension, anxiety and panic attacks and contains beta blockers.
Can you stop taking lexapro 10mg per day with no side affects?
I am on Lexapro and I have been on it now for 6 months. I was taking Paxil for 3 weeks and stopped that cold turkey but I also started taking the Lexapro when I stopped the Paxil. I think you should be fine because you have only been taking it for 2 weeks and it takes about 4 - 6 weeks to build up to a pharmacutical dosage. Now I also think you might have a little of withdrawl symptoms but I'm not sure about that. You should call a pharmacist and they will be able to tell you what to expect for only taking Lexapro for 2 weeks. Why do you want to stop taking it anyway? I think Lexapro is great. In the begining it made me feel tired and like I didn't care about anything but after a few weeks I was great. I gained some weight taking it but I rather be chubby that anxious/panicy all the time.
How long after the expiration date is Lexapro still effective?
Once a medication expires, there is no guarantee of potency of that medication. The manufacturer has set the expiration date listed because they have determined that the medication will not have biologically degraded (if stored properly) prior to that date. After that, it is likely that the drug will begin to naturally break down. Degredation rate will likely be increased if stored for any period of time in warm, light, and/or wet environments. It is best to talk to a physican about getting a new prescription for your medication or having another medication prescribed if finances are an issue. Conditions such as anxiety/depression will be inadequately treated if your medication has not maintained its potency, and this could lead to very undesirable side effects for you.
Can you take Lexapro Wellbutrin and lamictal together?
I take Lexapro 30 mg, Lamictal 200 mg and Wellbutrin XL 300 mg. I am doing fine and have few unpleasant side effects.
Was treated with antidepressants exclusively until I had run through them all to the max dosages and was absolutely flat on my back out of my mind crazy. It took 6 months for us to get to this mix that is working great for me.
Can you take 40 mg of Lexapro?
If you do not currently take Lexapro and you are pregnant, do not start without talking to a doctor as it may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, if you become pregnant while you are already taking Lexapro, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.
Is it ok to take amberen and lexapro together?
This answer is only applicable in case your questioning about Ambien.
Assuming you do so, I positively assure you that combining Citalopram and Ambien is safe. As safe as the two drugs are if taken separately. Chemically, these two substances do not affect each other in the least, both acting on totally separate brain structures.
Moreover, I have already taken this combination myself. It is safe!
Can you take Lexapro and tyrosine together?
Lexapro is generally safe to take with Tylenol (acetaminophen) but is not recommended to be taken with Advil (ibuprofen) or any NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) becausecombination of both may increase the risk of bleeding due to synergistic effects, NSAID antiplatelet effects augmented by inhibition of platelet serotonin uptake. The combination increases risk of upper GI bleeding.
In short, don't take NSAID's with Lexapro because they can cause stomach bleeding. Tylenol is safe.
Can taking lexapro cause high blood pressure?
It is unlikely to cause high blood pressure, though not unheard of. When it does it is mild. In fact it is more likely (though still rare) to cause mild low blood pressure.
It can lower sodium levels so you should not take hypertension treatments like diuretics.
The drug is from the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The 'reuptake' refers to activity of the nerves in the brain. By stopping the serotonin from being 'cleared' after release at the nerve ends, it hangs around longer to exert a beneficial effect on mood.
If you have notice that your blood pressure is raised, you should see your doctor.
Does Lexapro slow your metabolism down?
Lexapro rarely causes weight gain. It is sometimes prescribed for patients trying to lose weight, because it alleviates the emotional symptoms that lead to 'stress eating'.
I've read that Omega 3 (can get this in fish oil capsules) / Vitamin B / Magnesium Malate will help ease the pain of the brain zaps. More info: http://www.topix.com/forum/drug/effexor/TF6DC3BH42B6BTSA9
Citalopram (brand name = Celexa) is a SSRI antidepressant medication. and is also used to prevent anxiety symptoms, in those individuals having anxiety disorders.
Can you take 40 mg of lexapro and 15 mg of adderall xr?
Yes. You can actually take up to 40mg a day. I was on 30mg/daily for about 5 months. It made me gain a ton of weight, but it helped tremendously.
Lexapro compared to citalopram?
Both drugs are classified as SSRI drugs. However, Lexapro treats general anxiety disorder, and Depressive Disorders. Citalopram treat major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Dementia Tobacco and Alcohol Abuse.
