Escitalopram

[Reebok1975]

What are people’s opinions on this fairly new antidepressant on the market? It seems to have less side effects then a lot of the others but just wondering if anybody was taking /taken this medication and what they thought of it

Thanks

Clare

[Hidden]

Hi Clare,

I have been on this for quite some time now and suffer no ill side effects. The only complaint I have with this drug is the speed at which you can become dependent on it.

[marcus137]

Just starting today. Has done wonders for a co worker though.

[kleelibby]

Hi Clare, I’ve been on escitalopram (Lexapro) for years. Started with celexa which transitioned to lexapro. I’ve not had any issues, and I also take Wellbutrin (bupropion) with it.

[DENVAL]

It's the generic version of Lexapro, and I started with 5mg daily, 7 days ago. Absolutely no side effects. I'm combining this with small doses of Xanax .25 to .5mg daily.

Some days, I feel perfectly fine and others are agonizing, it's really a crap shoot.

Started getting anxiety and panic attacks in early June, and July was a catastrophic month with daily mega attacks. Did not waste any time and am seeing a Med Specialist and Behavioral Specialist to manage this insidious ailment.

Have been getting better since the beginning of August, no panic attacks, but sometimes a little shaky and anxious, and the Xanax takes care of that.

In two weeks my dose will be increased to 10mg daily, which I hoping will allow me to reduce and eventually eliminate the Xanax, as it is very addictive.

Fortunately I have a tremendous family and friend support system who are quite empathetic to my current plight, and with the meds and their help, I hope to quiet this beast of an ailment...

Stay the course, be strong, exercise, drink Chamomile Tea, it's great stuff and try purchasing a weighted blanket, they are quite therapeutic and have allowed to sleep peacefully each night..

[_Alex_]

It may perhaps be superior to citalopram as it's basically a purer version of that medication. Some people that have tried both do claim that escitalopram is better.

If I remember correctly, escitalopram came out as the best SSRI in the 2018 meta review that got a lot of media attention for the claim that, "antidepressants do work better than placebo".

That said, I think SSRI side effects are very much a matter of individual response. So someone might do better with sertaline or whatever else; you just don't know until you try it.

As with SSRIs in general, escitalopram can cause permanent sexual dysfunction if you're unlucky, even after stopping the meds. Doctors don't tend to warn you about that one.

[Agora1]

Hi Clare, you can add me also to the satisfied list of patients using Lexapro.

I was able to get off benzos because of this drug. No side effects. I wish you

well on your decision. Good Luck xx

[BlueZim]

Hi there. This is not a new drug, (Lexapro) as I have been on it since 2004. It works for me, but as I have been on it for so long, it is not as effective as it used to be. My therapist recommended to add Abilify to see if that can boost the effectiveness. I'll let you know if that works.

[Casey2020]

Hi - how did you go with this medication? I have found it to be very helpful over the past 6 weeks of use however I have completely lost any libido which is unfortunate! Wondering if it will settle over time or not???