Lexapro Vision and Hearing Side Effects

[hstroller]

While not taking any other medicine or drug, I tried one 5mg Lexapro pill and woke up at 4am seeing a glow or halo around bright items, like my alarm clock. It also seemed to bring out tinnitus in my ears. It seems to really activate nerves it shouldn’t. I didn’t have that problem with Paxil, but I took Klonopin/clonazepam while taking Paxil. I stopped the Lexapro after 1 pill.

I don’t want to screw around with my eyesight. I am really farsighted. You read about serotonin syndrome, but the symptoms are identical to regular common antidepressant side effects. It’s very frustrating,

Has anyone else experienced vision problems with glowing or trouble driving at night due to bright headlights. Dilated pupils? How about tinnitus?

I am debating trying this again and being more patient.

[Agora1]

Hi hstroller, I have been on Lexapro for a while now and never experienced

that kind of eye issue. Before blaming it on 1 pill as well as seeing that halo

around your alarm clock, I would start with a good eye exam. Have the Tinnitus

checked out by your doctor. This may all be a coincidence because I don't know

if just taking 1 pill at 5mg could give you that effect. Let me know what your

doctor says. And good luck in going forward with something that may help you xx

[hstroller in reply to Agora1]

My psychiatrist had actually tried to cross taper me from Paxil to lexapro, 2 months prior and I noticed headlights being really bright after 7 days of lexapro and Paxil. It was 10mg lexapro that time. The 5mg was actually attempt number 2. I had an eye exam the week prior to trying it, and everything was fine. I had tinnitus the first attempt too, but I was stopping Paxil and stopping Klonopin at the same time, so I thought it was withdrawal and not the Lexapro.

I was only on Paxil and Klonopin for 5 weeks only. I had not been on anything for 5 or 6 weeks when I tried Lexapro a 2nd time. It’s frustrating that the better tolerated drug, Lexapro, causes me all kinds of side effects: sweating, dry mouth, and feeling out of it at 5mg.

[Agora1 in reply to hstroller]

Yes, I'm sorry you are experiencing so many problems with Lexapro.

It happens since each one of us responds differently to drugs.

Unfortunately, finding the right med is a trial and error process but once

your doctor does find the right dose, the right med as well as the right time

of day to take it, you will start feeling better. Let's hope it comes soon. xx