This is my first go around with antidepressants. I started off with 5 mg of generic lexapro 5 days ago and on the 3rd day my psychoatrist upped to 10 mg. i have been feeling anxious and more depressed but she says that thats how they make you feel in the beginning. Is this normal? Do they typically make you feel worse at first and then start to work?
Lexapro - can it start making you feel worse before making you feel better?
Question posted by Btaylor2012 on 30 Sep 2015
Last updated on 22 March 2022
47 Answers Page 3
I was glad to find this thread. I just recently started taking generic lexapro 10mg but I’ve started off with 5mg for 6 days. I have to be honest with you I feel worse more consistently than I have before. I feel like I’m crawling out of my skin and my anxiety is at a high level. I’ve read that a lot of people are experiencing the same thing. Does it get any better?
Hi, ccreed! Yes, it does! These are "normal" side effects for some people and they generally only last for just a few days to a week or two as your metabolism adjusts to the medication.
"Some side effects of escitalopram may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects."
"Side effects have been reported to be generally mild and transient. They are most common during the first 2 weeks of treatment and decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment. They generally do not lead to treatment cessation."
So try to hang in there just a bit longer. Once you get through this initiation period you'll start feeling better every day and it will be well worth your patience and perserverence.
I started lexapro 3 days ago 10mg and I feel horrible. My depression and anxiety is at its worse. I read through the comments and see everyone going through the same thing and read all similar things I’m going through. I’m ready to go to the ER I’m drinking water but still dehydrated not eating much because no appetite and sleeping a lot. I’m shaky jittery just a mess. 4-6 weeks seems extremely long to get use to this. :(
Hi Cruz,
Hang in there. The first 5-6 days were my absolute worst. Then my body wasn’t so nauseas and I was able to eat. By day 9 I was used to the side effects. Just give yourself 2 weeks. Take care of yourself. X
Thanks dreamer it doesn’t help having to deal with the things in life that are causing it either. I hope it starts to get easier because it’s so bad I want to quit taking this already.
I swear by day 7 the side effects will start to subside. Try push through. Can your doc give you anything to take the edge off at night? I tried everything. Even down to just essential oils and practicing breathing. Hang nice there. My first 6-7 days were the worst.
My doc told me to cut to 5mg I couldn’t take it I was losing it. So days 5 and 6 have been half and better plus I got klonopin to help if need be. I kind of wish I would’ve stuck it out at 10mg but I was too bad with horrible thoughts running through my head. I couldn’t function or eat. I got out today and go back to work Friday night I had to be able to function. Hoping half the dose still helps somewhat and maybe when things are better in my life I can go back to 10mg and let it level off like it’s suppose to. Doc said that kind of reaction means I really needed the meds. Hoping I can be on a regular dose soon and feel much better. Reading positive posts on here kept my hopes up!
I was on 5mg for many years before I increased to 10mg. When I did increase I could only handle 5mg morn - 5mg night. Not all at once. Then I think day 6 I did 10mg in the eve. It will get better Cruz. These first weeks are the hardest... you’ve made it this far. :-)
I think I’ll stick to 5mg for now too. I’ll try to work up slowly and hopefully it still helps. Thanks for all the words of encouragement!
How are you feeling Cruz1014? I'm on day 10 of 10mg of Lexapro. I, like you, had/have a lot of nasty side effects. I'm sticking with it bc I took the same dose 5 years ago and after dealing with the majority of these side effects, I felt significantly better by the 3 week mark. This time around it's been tough but day 5 and 6 were really bad... had panic attacks both days and had to have my mother come help me as my husband was at work. My biggest sides effects are increased anxiety, racing thoughts, foggy feeling, jitteriness, nervousness, NO appetite, upset stomach and nausea. I will say, although my mornings are still rough (wake up at 5am with nervousness and nausea and usually have to dry heave), my overall days and afternoons/evenings are getting better. Once I force myself out of bed, force myself to drink or eat something small, and begin my morning, the symptoms slowly start to subside.
I'm greatly looking forward to feeling more like myself all the time again like I did with my first go round of Lexapro in 2012. It's so tempting to want to quit the med to resume some normalcy... I have 2 very young kids to care for and a part time job as an RN on top of feeling horribly so it's been quite debilitating but I tell myself it'll be worth it to have decreased anxiety and racing thoughts in the long run. Reading other people's experiences and knowing you're not alone has been very helpful. My doc gave me 0.5mg of Ativan to take with the lexapro for the first few weeks until it kicks in... i break those in half and only take .25mg to help me sleep or get through moments of increased anxiety. She also gave me Propanolol 10mg (which is a blood pressure med) but used in small doses it can help with anxiety. It's non drowsy and non habit forming so I take it in the morning when I feel the worst and that has helped too! Sorry for the long winded post, just hoping to give you some encouragement as it's truly to scary sometimes!
I’m on day 10 I believe but I started on halves 5mg after day 4 it was too much to endure for me and I got klonopin instead of Xanax because Xanax doesn’t last long klonopin is twice a day as needed and it lasts longer it’s more time released. That’s all helped a lot. The things in my life I was going through I started to get control of so that helps. Still not perfect but got better. I’m not going up to 10mg again till I’ve been on it a little while maybe after the holidays. But I had those moments I almost called someone to stay with me cause I was mentally breaking not eating doing nothing. I’m getting back to normal somewhat so that’s helps and the meds have lifted my mood somewhat already. I think after going to 10mg next month and a couple weeks I’ll be good I’m just not ready for that. It definitely helped reading everyone’s similar effects and encouragement I’m glad I found this thread!
I have been on Lexapro 10 mg for over 7 years. I tried to taper off in 2014 and my anxiety got really bad. It’s been bad again so I upped my dosage to 12.5 mg last Thursday. I feel jittery, anxious, like I’m not “real”, I can’t sleep for more than 2 hours at a time and had to stay home from work today.
Reading this thread helped me know I’m not alone. Should I push through with the higher dose or go back down to 10 mg? Maybe do the higher amount every other day? My doctor isn’t much help, just says it’s all up to me, but that higher dosage will help.
Not a polar bear. It’s awful isn’t it. I felt exactly how you are feeling. Like I wasn’t real. Jittery. Just yuck. I would stick it out for 10 days. Just focus on getting through each day one day at a time. It’s your body getting used to the medication. Hopefully you start feeling better soon.
Upping for 10mg idk, I couldn’t even take 10 but if 10mg wasn’t cutting it for you then I guess you needed to up it. I’d try getting the klonopin to help offset the anxiety it’s giving you. You take two a day. I’m still taking only half and now my relationship is all but completely over outside of exchanging items back and that closure I need so I’m going through it pretty bad right now. I want to up it but I couldn’t take it before and with the holidays here now I’d rather not ruin that even more. People that knowingly hurt other people that truly love them has now become one of my most hated things in life now that I’m a victim I know the feeling of it and despise those people even more guy or lady. I just want to move on and feel normal again.
Just tried 10mg again tonight after being on half for all those days so we’ll see how this goes. All I’ve wanted to do is sleep for like 3 or so weeks now it’s gotta end I gotta get back to my routine and maybe this wasn’t smart on Xmas eve but idk we’ll see how it goes.
Thanks cherub I appreciate it. I have been on lexapro before and have been on 5mg the last 4 years.
I do not remember feeling this bad the first time round. But I also didn’t have 2 kids to look after. I’ll stick the 10mg out for another few weeks. Fingers crossed I’ll be on the up soon. Just maddening feeling so horrible. X
Curious as to how you're feeling now dreamer81. I started Lexapro at 10 mg back in 2012 for severe anxiety... my anxiety definitely got worse before it got better as well as nausea, jittery-ness, racing thoughts and insomnia. I stuck it out and it definitely got a lot better, I felt great! I came off it 6 months later to get pregnant and in the last 5 years have managed to mostly stay off of it. In August I started on 5mg for anxiety with no side effects. Last Tuesday I increased my dose back up to 10 mg for severe anxiety and panic attacks and all the symptoms from 2012 are back. The only difference is now I have 2 kids to take care of. It's totally maddening, as you said. Tomorrow marks 1 week. I cannot remember exactly how long til I felt better the first time around, but reminding myself that this is temporary does help. It's such a scary, yucky feeling. Just looking for positive feedback I guess, thanks!
Kburnett, I’m so much better now. Hang in there. I think up until day 7 I felt terrible. But I was so much better at day 9. Mine kicked in relatively quickly and by week 2 I was feeling really good. So hard with two young children. Just focus on getting through one day at a time. X
Absolutely! Hang in there. Can take a good 4-6 weeks before you start to come out of the fog.
Omg I’m 6 days into an increase to 10mg and I feel like I’m going bananas. Increased anxiety, I’m feeling down, a bit spaced out. Just plain yuck. I’m back to my GP tomorrow so hoping she can tell me this is normal. Does anyone remember if the first week was the worst? Thanks in advance.
God Bless all of you, on this forum You have helped me. I was frightened maybe the rexulti and trintellix was making me feel worse. I'm only on it for 5 days & xanax when needed for my panic attacks and anxiety. Please keep encouraging me. Buck
Also my first go-round with anti-anxiety. I'm approaching the end of week 2 on the Lex generic (10mg) and I don't feel great either. Panicky, shaky, twitchy, tingly, ears ringing. I can't tell if it's the effects of the drug or the anxiety I'm trying to cure. I've also heard it takes 3-4 weeks to build up a good level in your system and feel better. Hoping that is true, else, I actually do have the terrible disease that sent me down this path in the first place. UGH!!
ALL diseases are terrible if you want to look at that way and this isn't any different. If your side effects are really bad ask your doctor if she/he would recommend that you try a 5mg dose for a week or two until your metabolism adjusts to the medication,
Yes, it takes several weeks to start feeling the beneficial effects and 6-8 weeks to build up a fully therapeutic blood level... but you'll likely find that it's well worth the wait.
Hi. I just started cipralex for anxiety and not sleeping. Day 5 and feel more anxious and have to take sleeping pill. I feel more anxious now than before. Will this get better?
Yes that's what happened to me ! I felt more anxious when I increased to 10mg! So hang in there ! I took some Xanax to help me get through ! And exercise and distract yourself ! Stay with people ! I know is so hard but it will start working after 2 weeks! You won't feel perfect but at least a little better ! And now after 2months taking it, I am much better but I still have bad days sometimes! But be patient ! And ask me whatever you want !
Thanks for the response! I'll keep at it!
Hey guys. I'm new to online threads and new to antidepressants as well. I started Lexapro 5mg about 5 days ago for anxiety and mild depression. It's been a rollercoaster, some good times and bad. I've noticed the good will come in waves throughout the day, but I have been able to manage. I plan on sticking with it because I've heard from everyone that it can take a while to start feeling better. The only concern I have is I have noticed the onset of intrusive thoughts which I dislike, and as a result causes anxiety. I'm trying! I hope you all are doing well and thanks for reading!
hi everyone i started it a few days ago and my anxiety is drastically worse like i feel like i'm on the verge of a panic attack hardcore. is this normal?
Hi, my anxiety was higher as well in the beginning ! It was the first week and than after that went decreasing ! I took Xanax the first days to help me get through the first week! If the anxiety doesn't decrease in the two weeks you have to talk to your doctor , but even after that you will still feel bad but at least less worse than in the beginning , after one month you will see significant results !
Hi, yes that's true ! Same happened to me, after one week I started feeling less anxious but yes in the beginning made me feel worse but just stick to it and also the side effects will start desepearing ! It's been a month for me and it's definitely better ! Good luck and let me know if you have other questions !
Hi everyone ,
I just started in lexapro, and am concerned that is making me feel worse , just increased to 10 mg this week !
Please let me know if anyone felt the same way !
I am going through this right now! Did you stick it out? Feeling better?
Hi, yes ! This is my second week ! Am not feeling good per say like, but definitely stick to it ! I feel calmer than the first week ! First week was so bad ! But stick to it and you will see that day by day your body will get used to it ! Side effects are a little bad in the beginning but for now am calmer ! All the best to us !
Ok thank you for the words of encouragement, this is day 4 for me on increased dose. I trigger my anxiety thinking this is how I gotta feel for the rest of my life! I started on 5 mg which fir 5 weeks and was a bit too low, so now Im on 7.5
Glad to find all these comments. I took my 2nd 5mg dose today and had very bad anxiety today (but not yesterday, hmm). Worse, yes. I do want to stick it out but hoping the xanax I've been taking for years at night will not make me out if it during the day! I will definitely need to take something if I have a hump to get over for a couple weeks! Ugh ugh ugh! I hope this works!!
By the way, I take 600-800 mg of L-Theanine (OTC green tea extract) which helps mild anxiety. I get it cheap from Swanson Vitamins. It's great stuff when you aren't quite jumping out of your skin.
Hi, yes that's true ! Same happened to me, after one week I started feeling less anxious but yes in the beginning made me feel worse but just stick to it and also the side effects will start desepearing ! It's been a month for me and it's definitely better ! Good luck and let me know if you have other questions !
I stuck it out and I feel so much better! Its been 2 months since I first started Lexapro, feeling my normal self again. :-)
I felt shocking when I started on Lexapro! I was on 5mg for a week then I went on to 10mg and my anxiety peaked at around the 2 week mark. But at around week 3 I started having a few good days. Them by week 4 I was having more good days than bad. Then at about week 6 I felt pretty good. Hang in there! It's a great antidepressant!
Hi Cherrrub! Hoping for some insight as your situation is similar to mine. Was on 5mg of Lexapro for 3 months but didn't feel like it did much of anything. 3 weeks ago I began having increased anxiety/panic attacks, loss of interest/restlessness and racing thoughts. Increased my Lexapro to 10mg around the same time and it was AWFUL... horrible side effects, increased anxiety, nausea, jittery feeling, exhaustion, NO appetite, etc. A little after the 2 week mark i started to feel a bit better... was able to begin eating again, sleeping better and stopped panicking. I'm currently 3 weeks in now, but still having some breakthrough anxiety and a little bit of "brain fogginess." I just want to feel normal bc I'm usually such a happy person that enjoys something as simple as watching tv and being with my 2 young kiddos but the last 3 weeks have been such a struggle. My PCP wants me to give it another week or so to see if I feel increasingly better.
Just wondering how long your adjustment took before you felt back to normal and if you ever increased your dose. Thank you!
Hi, B! Many people report feeling a little worse and possibly having some minor side effects for the period of time while you're reaching your therapeutic dose. The first few days to a week are the worst until your body adjusts to the the medication and you may start feeling very positive effects in 2-3 weeks although it takes 6-8 weeks to feel the full effects.
Hang in there and if you have questions or concerns feel free to write. We're not doctors, just people like you and we're happy to offer our thoughts and advice.
Best wishes, WCV
Thanks a bunch. This was helpful
I've been on for a week and feel worse..also having trouble sleeping..is this common
I've been on for a week and feel worse..also having trouble sleeping..is this common
I've been on Lexapro 10 mg for 5 months. Also have long history of GAD, which is always worse upon waking in the am. I find when I take Lexapro in the am the anxiety rises and becomes intense. After about 4 hours it starts to subside and by mid-afternoon starting to feel much more relaxed. It almost like to have to pay with more anxiety when you first take it to get the benefits of relaxation later.
Be careful with this drug if you have a history of porphyria or any underlying liver issues it has estrogenic effects hence why it's prescribed to women going through menopause it reduces their hot flashes. If you don't have menopause then it will cause hot flashes lol. Anyway I experienced an acute porohyia attacks from just taking one 5mg I halved my dosage just to play it smart. This drug directly gets metabolized by the livers cyp3a4 enzyme which is know to induce porohyrin prodcution. I didn't know this and asked the doctor and she said she didn't think it would exacerbate it but it did she should have known it has estrogenic effects these psychiatrists are very scary people messing with others lives. They know nothing about porphyria or hemochromatosis and they're dishing meds out like candy. They are all on a gabapentin kick right now and almost all of the gabapentin has more than one iron oxide additive as an ingredient.
I just found out this yesterday by reading what was in the meds I take here most were exacerbating everything for me. Especially 30 mg of mirtazapine which has red, orange, and yellow iron oxide and the gabapentin's contain usually yellow and black iron oxide. Black iron oxide remains magnetic for life!!! I always wondered why I sleep crappy on them and felt burning pains in my hands it was do to the iron in them. My legs wouldn't stop after taking the 30 mg mirtazapine because of this. Spread the news people were pumping our bodies full of iron and not even realizing it. Read all drug ingredients!!!
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lexapro, depression, anxiety, generic, antidepressant
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- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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