... taking it and had to stop because they got so bad. Unfortunately, they are still occurring even though I have been off the drug for almost 3 months. Has anyone else had this experience? I am sure the palpitations are not anxiety related.
Has anyone experienced heart palpitations after taking Lexapro? I developed palpitations soon after?
Question posted by alpha23 on 6 May 2017
Last updated on 15 December 2022
16 Answers
gmahead
13 Dec 2022
I have had heart arrythmias since I was a child. I also have episodes of palpitations. I have been on Lexapro since 2013 and have never had any change in episodes of arrythmias or palpitations. Are you sure it is the Lexapro?
Orikon
13 Dec 2022
I got tinnitus from escitalopram. No doubt about it. My problem is not with heart palpitations. I chose escitalopram because it claims no interference with heart rhythm. It's the non-stop tinnitus that is the problem.
Orikon
15 Dec 2022
I was on 5mg escitalopram for only 5 days. Too many scary side effects. I quit on day 6. I have been on metoprolol for arrhythmia and premature ventricular contractions for about 8 years and my heart has been very regular for the last several years. Now, on the 11th day after quitting escitalopram my heart is skipping beats. I can't say for sure it's a withdrawal symptom from the drug but I would not be surprised if it is. Ironically, the reason I chose escitalopram was because it was not supposed to have bad interactions with metoprolol. Escitalopram definitely gave me serious tinnitus and its very worrisome that it may never go away. We can't keep allowing the drug companies to negate the problems we have with these drugs. Please report your side effects online to FDA MedWatch. Thank you.
Nandrews1231
22 Nov 2022
I have a history of occasional benign heart palpitations for much of my adult life. From 2013 to 2022 I slowly fell into a deep severe depression. I finally sought therapy and was prescribed 10mg Lexapro, but was started on 5mg and slowly worked up to the 10. I started the meds around the end of August this year. I’m just now approaching 90 days and have noticed very frequent heart flutters for the past 5 days. It was very sudden when it started and at first I thought it was likely due to my new work schedule, which has me feeling more tired than usual. Being overtired has caused palpitations in the past so it made sense. Well, after 5 straight days and further research into Lexapro, I’ve discovered that it’s known for causing arrhythmias in people.
This is terrifying!!! It also increase mortality rate which is even more frightening!!! I emailed my medication nurse and as of today I am going to get off this med as fast as possible. Gonna drink tons of water to flush it out of my system as fast as I can. I’m highly concerned now, wondering if this is permanent irreversible damage or if this will clear up after the meds are out of my system. Time will tell I guess. Praying for a good outcome here. Scary stuff folks!
Dwilfrid
23 March 2022
I only took Lexapro for 4 days had palpitations and insomnia and all over muscle cramps and spasms so I stopped. I ended up in ER and they said EKG was normal but saw my doctor today and he reviewed my EKG and said it showed extra heart beats. I am still having all over muscle pain and cramps. My dr put me on Ativan now. I hope this feeling stops soon I only took meds 4 days and 5 days off it I feel horrible.
Havasu21
17 Feb 2022
At this point I feel anger towards these drug companies and the courts that won't allow them to be held accountable. Twenty-five years ago I was put on Effexor when it was new just for chronic fatigue. I had young children and probably needed a vacation. Since then I tried to get off the drug but the withdrawal was terrifying. That was the only reason I stayed on for so long. Finally at 62 I stopped, but had to be put on Lexapro and for a short time Xanax. After two years on Lexapro I weaned off that (because it made me fall asleep constantly), without the help of Xanax... no doctor would give it to me because I was extended traveling. Now all hell broke lose. My heart developed a severe arrhythmia and my immune system was so weak I got Valley Fever in my lung. For sure these poisons have shortened my life. They lie about the dangers. Stat away from antidepressants!! The cortisol is raging through me even after four months, the anxiety is horrendous.
ereihs
10 Dec 2021
Theres definitely something to it... I stopped taking 40mg of Lexapro about 3 weeks ago and was put on Prozac 10mg ... ever since I started the Prozac I have had palpitations. Either the Prozac or the transition from Lexapro is when this started... Skipped beats... I wore a monitor for 24 hours and it showed nothing. This morning they decided to try Zoloft... I hate being this guinea pig, but I've been so scared. So we will try it... UGH
TyMinks1989
13 Nov 2021
There’s got to be some truth to it. My story is slightly different but back in November 2020 my depression and anxiety began to rear it’s ugly head again, so I decided to talk to my DR who prescribed Escitalopram 10mg. It was truly a blessing for some time, although in spite of that I was in a bad car accident in may and fractured 2 vertebrae broken ribs skull fracture, had to wear CTSLO brace for 8 weeks. Came back to work in September and last month was where it all began to go sideways, began noticing palpitations/skipped/extra beats and with each day seemed to get worse and worse, accompanied by digestive issues, nausea, foul diahrreah, shakiness and an inability to keep my right leg still, as it eventually triggered severe anxiety enough that I went to ER one night when I had dozens of heart palpitations in what felt like a few minutes. ECG came back normal since their 12 second test caught nothing.
It was eventually attributed to “anxiety” , which I found strange since this medication I had been on for nearly a year was supposed to TREAT that very thing. Dr’s kept telling me these are normal blah blah. I eventually had to take matters into my own hand, I adjusted my diet which helped but those symptoms were still happening and varying in severity from day to day. I decided to cut the escitalopram out and wouldn’t you know it by the second day the palpitations began to subside but more so the other symptoms accompanying them virtually disappeared, I still get the odd skipped beat but it’s only been 2 weeks off this stuff, my anxiety and depression have subsided majorly since as well. Although I do have a battery of other tests I have to get done I’m quite convinced this antidepressant was the cause of all of this. Why it began to give me such symptoms nearly a year after being on them I’m not sure, the first 6-8 months on them were not like that. This is my second stint on them and absolutely my last. If doctors especially don’t want to even bother to acknowledge that these pills can cause such events and attribute it to the very thing that they’re ironically supposed to treat and their main response is to only up your dose that all sounds like a very dangerous recipe to me. No thanks.
Ishanvi
10 March 2021
I have started lexapro 3 weeks ago for anxiety disorder and ocd with mild depression .. first 2 days on 10 mg but then I have reduced the dosage to 5 mg as my was not able to adjust with high dose from then I felt moderate side effects like heaviness in head , less sleep mild anxiety.. but when I'm on 3 rd week and pms started which make me more crying spells depressed mood anxiety is mild but longer durations.. but suddenly I got new side effects like gasping and racing heart just twice for few seconds.. so I'm afraid of this now. .. and along with lexapro I'm on b12 vitamin 100 mcg as I have b12 deficiency and high vitamin D levels.. and I am taking thyronorm 50 mcg since from 10 yrs.. due to racing heart I stopped taking lexapro for one day and I feel much better.. can someone suggest on this pls.
Ashley1021
10 Oct 2021
I started Lexapro on 10/6 10mg I took it for three days. All three days had severe heart palpitations most of them being while I was trying to fall asleep. Also kept waking up to feeling like I wasn't breathing and had to catch my breath. None of that was happening before I started the medication. Yesterday 10/9 I did not take the Lexapro bc I decided it wasn't right for me and it causing this to happen was not worth it and scares me. Last night I still had some palpitations but no where near as many. I know it takes some time to get out of your system but I am hoping once it is out that they stop completely. This seems to be a common thing to happen to people that start this medication which is concerning to me.
Nimdaxx
20 Dec 2020
I took Trazodone and Lexapro (both 25mg) for only 3 days and woke up in the middle of the night to my heart not beating, then suddenly racing. Obviously went to the ER as I thought it was a heart attack. When I was at the ER, my heart did that a few more times but slowly went away over time. The episodes being about 5-30 min separated from one another. That was Oct. 31, 2020. Leaving the ER they had diagnosed me with (SVT), and had me start taking Metoprolol (25mg). Had extreme discomfort in my chest for a couple days (pounding, fluttering) and it happened again 3 days after the initial one on the 31st. Went back to the ER and they said it was Palpitations but recommended I put on a 24-hour Holter, and my PCP switched me to Atenolol (25mg). I felt good for a couple weeks after that, and in the time of me feeling good for those couple weeks (although still having minor discomfort with pounding in chest laying down) I had the Holter on but it caught nothing.
Then, two weeks after, around Nov. 14, it happened again, but it wasn't as bad as the initial one pounding wise, but I had a severe shake in my whole body that was uncontrollable. This time I went to the ER they did all the tests they could and said my heart was normal and told me it was just palpitations.
I've had a LOT since then, each one not as bad as the last but they've become more frequent. Now I have a bit of dizziness, sharp pains in the back of my neck sometimes, flushing in the face, I can't sleep on my side as much anymore.
Just yesterday morning I was sleeping on my right side when I woke up, the right side of my chest was numb. No pins and needles feeling, but it was numb. I had a 2-week monitor on that I've yet to get the results back from. I can't find anything online that helps. This is the closest thread to what I've experienced. Hoping I can get a reply.
heels03
27 March 2019
I took Lexapro for 4 weeks at 5 mg. After two weeks I developed a premature heartbeat (assuming this is the same as a palpitation). I got off the medicine about 2 weeks later. The palpitations were less intense and less frequent after quitting, but were still there. I'm now 4 months off of the drug and still have 4 - 8 events a day. I've worn a 30 day heart monitor and they diagnosed it as a benign arrhythmia. I never had that before taking the drug so I think it is a fair conclusion to say this is all a result from the drug. They now want to put me on a Beta Blocker which I really don't want to do. Just curious if anybody else was told to try a Beta Blocker and if it worked? For those that had it resolve on its own did you do anything special to help it go away?
Cheers!
alpha23
30 March 2019
Hi Heels, I would avoid taking the Beta Blocker if at all possible. It will have its own side effects and you don't want to become dependent on it long term. It took me about 9 months for the issue to resolve itself, so even though you are 4 months off the drug I would wait to see if it gets better on its own. One of things that can be helpful for palpitations is Magnesium supplements. If you are interested, I would suggest googling "magnesium and palpitations" to see what supplements other people have found helpful. There are a lot of different types of Magnesium, so you want to make sure you get the right type. I also found moderate exercise to be very helpful. At first it was just walking, but I built up to jogging and then running. Finally, one of the most important things you can do is try your best not to focus on the palpitations because anxiety about them will only make them worse. I know this is easier said than done, but it is very true!
juliemont
25 March 2019
I had been having issues with palpitations which I believe was due to diet. I saw the doctor about the palpitations to check out other potential causes. In addition to running a bunch of tests, she prescribed Lexapro for potential anxiety as a cause. There was a week's delay in getting the medication, at which time I changed my diet and the palpitations ceased. Then I started taking the Lexapro. I've only been on 10mg once a day, for four days and the palpitations started again. Didn't think it was related as I had started a new food plan, and thought this was the cause. Two days into taking Lexapro, I had skipped heart beats again. Yesterday, I had skipped beats for two hours, and had the sensation of feeling nervous, jittery; I knew it wasn't the lectin free diet I was on. I also experienced skipped beats during the night, which was unusual for me. So glad I decided to google if anyone else was experiencing this. I'm discontinuing Lexapro today.
WildcatVet
25 March 2019
"Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10% of users): Palpitation
Uncommon (0.1% to 1% of users): Abnormal ECG, hypotension"
"Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10% of users): Agitation, anxiety, nervousness, restlessness"
"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."
Although these side effects should be reported to your doctor they aren't generally cause for concern.
Best regards, Wild Cat
HNicole
7 March 2019
I got on Lexapro due to having palpitations daily and five days later I woke up from the most intense heart racing panic attack. I was up to 175 and the feeling with it was super intense, I had attack after attack (smaller ones) for about 4.5 hrs. This is the second time recently I tried Lexapro and I just can’t take it so I am now trying Zoloft. Just looking for some relief.
Snowhill
13 April 2019
Has the Zoloft helped you? I just started Lexapro and I am having heart palpitations. I am looking for something that will not cause them but will help with my anxiety and depression. Thanks
Hj2323
7 Dec 2018
I quit taking lexapro about 3 months due to it causing palpitations. I am still having palpitations but they have calmed down quite a bit. I know these palpitations aren't from anxiety but how long will these last? Has anyone stopped having them completely?
alpha23
15 Dec 2018
It's hard to say how long the palpitations will last, but it's a good sign that they have calmed down quite a bit. How long were you on Lexapro and how long since you quit?
Hj2323
4 Jan 2019
It's been about 3 months since I quit taking it and I still have at least 4 palpitations a day it's starting to get old.
alpha23
6 Jan 2019
It sounds like the palpitations have calmed down a lot for you. Things will continue to improve over time, especially if you are not taking any other medication.
Cemarain1983
1 Sep 2018
Hi, I started on 5mg Lexapro yesterday morning for anxiety and I been having palpitations all day and night. I feel restless it made me feel worse. I was very dizzy and my stomach felt sick. I will suspend the use today. I was given Lorazepam 00.05 mg to give me extra kick. I took both medicines yesterday and made symptoms worse. I started having anxiety in May and I been taking Lorazepam as needed every other day. Yesterday I finally decided to give Lexapro a try. I will suspend treatment. Please read this: Logo for WebMD
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Depression News
Some Antidepressants Tied to Irregular Heartbeat
FROM THE WEBMD ARCHIVES
TUESDAY, Jan. 29 (HealthDay News) -- People taking certain antidepressants, including Celexa and Lexapro, may have a slightly increased risk of developing an abnormal heart beat.
Researchers say the drugs, which are in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may extend the length of electrical activity in the heart, called a QT interval. A long QT interval is an indicator of abnormal heart rhythms.
"For people who are taking higher doses of citalopram (Celexa) or escitalopram (Lexapro), they should discuss these doses with their doctors," said lead researcher Dr. Roy Perlis, director of the Center for Experimental Drugs and Diagnostics in the psychiatry department at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. I was reading this on the internet. I hope this helps. Thank you
Nanny Robyn
9 May 2017
I know from my own experience while taking Lexapro that it does in fact cause palpitations even several months after I stopped taking it. I did notice that candy including chocolate and caffeine products also contribute to the palpitations. I don't know if you use these products but if so, try to lessen the intake and see if you notice a difference. If you have anxiety, that too will cause palpitations. It certainly can't hurt to talk to your Dr about this. Good luck.
alpha23
10 May 2017
Hi Robyn, thanks for your answer - it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one to experience palpitations several months after stopping Lexapro. Have your palpitations calmed down now? I also noticed that caffeine and chocolate have an adverse effect, so I've cut them out from my diet. Thanks once again for your response!
Nanny Robyn
10 May 2017
No problem! Yes, the palpitations have just recently started to calm down and it's been about 7 months since I weaned off Lexapro. If you feel any anxiety and start getting palpitations from it, do the slow breathing exercises (in thru the nose and slowly out our mouth) a few times and they will calm down. Keep in mind too that your brain is now releasing it's own serotonin as opposed to Lexapro doing it so your body is still adjusting. Try not to worry. All will be okay!
WildcatVet
6 May 2017
Hi, alpha! Palpitations CAN be a rare side effect of Lexapro, but Lexapro's half life would have it cleared from your system within a week at the most.
If you're sure it's not due to anxiety you might consider contacting your doctor for a diagnostic work-up.
Best regards and I hope you feel better soon.
Related topics
lexapro, arrhythmia, heart, drug
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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