Escitalopram triggering AFib?

[OscarN]

I have just been prescribed Escitalopram for depression and anxiety. But I have read that it can trigger increased heart rate and/or AFib.

Has anyone heard this or experienced it?

Very grateful for your thoughts.

[LPE44]

I had not heard that! Off to do some research and possibly consider going off the low dose I've been taking for a number of years. If I could remove one medication and one possible trigger, than that's good.

As to your situation, there are a number of different SSRI's - maybe try a different one?

[Ppiman]

I have also read that many kinds of anti-depressants can affect the electrical activity and timings of the heart and thus carry an additional risk of worsening arrhythmias. It seems to be a balance of risks and benefits and is something I would want to discuss with my GP, for sure, not least because, following some recent important work, it seems the mode of action of this family of drugs remains unknown.

Steve

[BlueINR]

Just because a med can do something, does not mean it will. It can do it to some people, while not others.

The only way to know is for you to take it. Usually ill-effects show up quickly, at least for me they do, and if something is not right, let medical team know right away. The fix may be as simple as just stopping the med.

I had a not so great reaction to this med, first time I took it. Resting heart rate went to mid 80s when normally it's 70. Called doc's nurse and was told to stop med. All is better now.

[Rw12]

I have taken this off and on and it has truly been worth it for me. The first few weeks can be difficult, I was tired with brain fog but it does go away. I have not experienced increased heart rate or afib as a result of taking it.

[OscarN in reply to Rw12]

thank you. What was the brain fog like? Like taking Diazepam? Or alcohol? I believe it takes 4 weeks to start working. Did it help with anxiety and dread?

[OscarN in reply to Rw12]

what dose did you start on? 10mg a day?

[Rw12]

Yes I started on 10 mg and that is what still works for me. I used to hyper focus on problems and would get a tightness in my chest and panicky. This takes away just about all of that. It doesn’t feel like a sedative at all and I have no side effects after the first few weeks. It really helps me to just feel normal and not like the sky is falling!

The brain fog is just a feeling that it’s difficult to concentrate, almost like you’re starting to get sick. Not at all like drinking alcohol. I do recall having some electrical feelings in the brain too. The first few days were the hardest with everything subsiding after that.

I highly recommend it.

[OscarN in reply to Rw12]

thank you so much