I just been prescribed 10mg by my doctor and I haven't taken it yet. I'm worried about the side effects and if it will make me feel high. I've been dealing with anxiety since I moved away from my home. It's been hard for me to find a job because of my anxiety. I get shakey,my heart races, an I'm really shy. I have finally got job and start in 2 days, but I also just got prescribed this medication. I'm worried about starting my job and medication at the same time because I don't know how the medication will effect me. Any advice?
Does Lexapro 10mg make you feel high when you take it?
Question posted by needsmileyface on 18 Sep 2013
Last updated on 28 August 2022
Added 18 Sep 2013:
I forgot to add that I have had previous drug use before. And I never want to feel uncomfortably high again from pills (if that makes sense)
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45 Answers Page 3
SLMRDC
3 June 2016
Lexapro is used to help both anxiety & depression. I didn't find it made me feel "high" at all. If anything it made me feel sleepy & fuzzy after about 3 hrs so I take it a couple of hours before bed at night. This has helped & I am not so anxious during the day. When I first started the 10 mg I did experience nausea so I broke the 10 mg pill in half & took 5 mg for a week. This stopped the nausea. Then I increased to 10 mg. Some people have no problems taking it in the morning. I did... so taking it before bed, ideally a couple of hours before bed, has worked. Good luck! Hope it helps you!
Zmoe
27 Dec 2016
when it start to kick in I've been taking cipralex for 12 days?
Workit93
3 June 2016
I do not recommend this medicine. I suffer from anxiety and my doctor put me on this medicine for 5mg and I felt so high. My legs felt like jello. I couldn't even eat because I was so nauseous and had a high heart beat. Hate this medicine
Kitakate
28 April 2017
This only happens for first two weeks I had the same and clench jaw I had nothing else to count on my life was in trouble I pushed through I'm almost a year on and no more panic attacks . Stuff that use to bother me doesn't anymore ... I wouldn't discourage people because I wouldn't be where I am today if I didn't read some people saying good things about lexapro ! Saved my life
Kyle jorgensen
16 May 2016
I take a 10mg tablet each morning. I do not feel anything like a "high." I DO feel better about life in general. When I forget to take it, I start thinking as I did in the past; a slightly dark cloud starts to hover over me. I think I should start drinking again because I want a bump out of my blasé mood. I THINK THE MEDICINE IS GREAT.
Thomas C
7 March 2017
I started taking 20mg a year ago. I had nausea and unbearable headaches for 10 days then I was fine. It has really helped me get through some difficult situations and enjoy life. I don't feel high, just not unbearably depressed. Very happy with the drug. Now on 10mg - tried to go down to 5mg this week but not ready yet.
Aliciapaul357
18 March 2016
It never made me feel funny or high! I didn't even notice I was taking it, but I had a small withdrawal coming off. Dizziness and nasuea never take Effexor XR I am fighting this evil drug right now
Hyang61
30 April 2018
I took Effexor and it was the worst drug to get off of. I was taken off because of rapid heart rate shot my blood pressure way up. Any drug affects I had was magnetized by three. I couldn’t even move I was so sick. It took almost a week and I felt weak from fighting to stay sane. Now I take Lexapro. Much easier to handle the side affects I have and I have much fewer. I still have a heart rate a little high, but managed with a beta blocker Lopressor. So I’m happy some side affects are gone. Hyang61
SAMMY87
27 Nov 2015
I dont know if this will help or not but iv been on lexapro for almost a year and I also had other problems with feeling the bad effects from pills. "Pill" but it takes a little while to really start to kick in and balance out the cemicauls in your brain they did not make me high the first time taking them but every person is diff to. I also was on 10mg of it but after about a month or so I think it became to strong for me like I was lost I couldn't see it but all my friends and family did i have just recently stopped the lexapro but my life also calmed down a little bit as well but I still have very bad ups and downs every now and then when I get sad or depressed I get it bad and just as well as being mad or happy.
I think I should have been put on another medication to go with it to balance me out and lower my dose to 5 MG is what im going to ask my doctor this time but yes if your having a rough time in life right now you will deff have mood swings starting this and once it kicks in u will calm down but try an be sure it's not slowing you down to wear I was other then that I think they are a pretty good pick bc anxiety runs in my family
Casperkat
19 Sep 2015
I take it at night as it makes me sleepy. The initial side effects were elevated awareness and a slight sense of mild paranoia (I was hyper aware of my surroundings is all). This went away quickly. I will say my roller coaster moods evened out dramatically and I was able to manage extreme stress at work without going bonkers. I could make reasonable decisions without losing my cool.
The worst lingering side effect, which I think is exacerbated by menopause, is the lack of sexual desire. There are days it's just gone. That frustrates me and the dr and I are working on it.
I've never felt "high" on this medicine but highly recommend you be upfront with your doctor about your past and your concerns to monitor the effect medicines have on you.
Best of luck and good healing!
lauramorrick
4 July 2015
I have taken it for yrs now & it has never made me feel "high". Also, Lexapro is an anti anxiety medication as well as depression. It's takes about 2 wks in your system before it starts working. Laura
wsc58
18 Aug 2015
I have been on 10mg Lexapro for 6 weeks now for anxiety, along with very few Xanax. I have been having trouble with sitting in meetings at work, usually my throat tightens up and my vision would blur and I felt like I couldn't swallow.I have no idea what brought this on, but it really sucks. the first 2-3 weeks on Lexapro were horrible, more anxiety, ringing in my ears, restless sleeping.
After 4 weeks it really smoothed out and I have felt a lot calmer overall, although I still need a Xanax to make it through a meeting, or eating out in public. My doctor has just increased the Lexapro to 20mg, and now I am going through the same initial side affects I did the first time. hopefully it won't last as long as the fist time, and hopefully it will resolve the anxiety issues. Does anyone have a preference to taking the lexapro at night, or in the morning, etc? I have been taking them around 6 - 8 at night and seem to feel pretty tired the next day.
I have never felt "high", although it does seem to amplify the effects of drinking a beer or two.
nipz
4 July 2015
I know this is an old post, but Lexapro made me feel high as a kite on just 5mg the first day I took it. I felt like I was Superman, invincible and just wanted to talk to everyone who I met while walking down the street. But I was taking it for general anxiety. I have since found out I have bipolar disorder. So yea, I would say it can make certain people feel high, and can induce mania - which for me is dangerous as I have mixed states.
Inactive
30 April 2015
I used to take escitolaproam, which is generic for lexapro, for anxiety. And I had never felt worse in my life. It made me lightheaded, extremely fatigued, and agitated. It was terrible while I took it. Drugs like this really mess with your brain and I cant recommend it. So I am now on buspar and it does pretty good.
dakoto70
30 March 2017
I absolutely hate Buspar so I am hoping Lexapro doesn't effect me the way Buspar did
dakoto70
30 March 2017
I absolutely hate Buspar so I am hoping Lexapro doesn't effect me the way Buspar did
Kitakate
28 April 2017
Lexaproworkedfor me you need to stick it out in the beginning it's painful but now I take it everyday and don't notice anything ! Only cravings and weight gain only issue . No more attacks
topherboy
4 March 2015
I'm concerned about not being able to get an erection on the meds.
or vomiting I hate to feel like I have to vomit.
but more so I have to be able to get an erection
WildcatVet
18 March 2016
topher, in pre- and post-market studies only 6% of millions of users reported erectile dysfunction. 18% experienced mild to moderate nausea which usually resolves over several days to weeks of starting Lexapro and can easily be managed with OTC remedies like meclizine, dramamine, and Emetrol (nausea does not necessarily progress to vomiting).
Bugger88
19 April 2016
Just read the side effects and one of them was having one for too long.
SLMRDC
16 May 2016
I take Lexapro at night as within 3 hrs it caused fatigue & dizziness. Initially it caused nausea but I cut back to 5 mg before bed for a week then increased to 10 mg. Just cut the pill in half. This worked well. I certainly did not feel "high". Everyone is individual in their response to SSRI meds. The side effect of erectile dysfunction only seems to happen in some people... not all. I had no problem achieving orgasm.
Kitakate
28 April 2017
Does not cause vomiting . Take it with dinner . Erection will happen but they said your mood for sex may not .
pixiemom
11 Oct 2013
I just started taking lexapro again 2 weeks ago. I get severe nausea, slightly heavy eyes, heart races, tongue tingly, dry mouth and just a overall groggy feeling. Yes it makes me feel high. Also ..no sexual desire which sucks! (; and poor appetite. But again I've read that can happen the first few weeks.
deebbest
22 Jan 2014
I totally agree with u ! I have been using lexapro for few days now and YES it makes me feel high lol with the rest of what u have already mentioned ...
jhairston
28 May 2014
Hi just started lexapro on the way home wow i felt like i was floating high as well you no. It was scary.first days of it i felt dizzy and thought i was dying please if someone else is going through this respone. Thanks
levrard
25 Oct 2014
I've been taking Lexapro 10mg for 1.5 years now. At first, I was not experiencing many side effects. However, I have experienced the "foggy" feeling that I've seen reported by others. I catch myself zoning out very often. Lately, I've had several experiences of feeling high. The only way I can describe it is a depersonalization experience. It's terrifying, so I understand what you're going through! Because my side effects are getting worse, I am going to talk to my doctor about getting off of this medication. Different people react differently. Hope this helps!
cegwaltney
1 Dec 2014
I just went back on lexapro 10 mg again. I take it before I go to sleep. I'm calmer, and quieter when I take it.
I don't feel "high", but I have never been high... lol... so I could be wrong.
wrekee
5 Feb 2016
The first time I started taking this med I do remember being really tired and with any adjustment in the dosage of this medication I do remember having a foggy head and being really tired. As for feeling tired anyone that is taking this for panic attacks and anxiety, its a good thing. As for the sexual side effects its like all the others which sucks. Also a quick word of advice, if this med works and you start feeling better, don't stop, keep using it because it's hard to start up again when the anxiety and panic attacks start up again.
Drugsarebadmkay
23 Aug 2018
Side effects!! Like on my heart meds
coding12
4 Oct 2018
I have started lexepro 5 mg a week ago i feel like flight mode most of the time. my doctor said take the Klonopin daily so i wouldn't
have the anxiety. I am on 10 mg though i was dying i guess my body has to get used to it.
Jenni79bk
2 Dec 2018
Yes I too feel high when I take it. The Dr just put me on it, 10mg. I made a huge mistake taking it mid day. I had no idea I would react the way I did as most medications don’t affect me like this. I’m definitely going to be taking it at night from here on out
needsmileyface
18 Sep 2013
I've also read that some people take it at night before they go to sleep. Do you recommend taking it at night or when you wake up?
needsmileyface
18 Sep 2013
Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it.
kaismama
18 Sep 2013
You won't get high from it, its not that kind of drug. Start it on a day off just in case it makes you sleepy at first. Lexapro usually doesn't, but I always like to start meds when I'm not working.
pickles503
18 Sep 2013
I feel the same way, kai. Try it on your days off.
jokermanha12
15 April 2018
U people make my head spin. Do u answer these questions just to sound smart or just because u have no life? "No they don't make u high but they make u happy and dizzy"... that is high... anything other than normal everyday blahhhhh can be taken as feeling high. Yes you can get high off these in higher dose. No you shouldn't because there not worth the small high amount of high...
Samengel
29 April 2018
Joker, you’re wrong. Lexapro is an SSRI and it WIL NOT GET YOU HIGH!
You’d have to take weeks worth of lexapro to get tmr built in your system. Taking 4 10mg Lexapro is NOT going to get you high! It takes weeks to build up in a needed patience body. Of course lexapro is going to increase moods in people with depression and anxiety! That why the drug exists!
So stop your nonsense comment. Because it’s not warranted and it IS NOT THE TRUTH!
Samengel
29 April 2018
Joker, you’re wrong. Lexapro is an SSRI and it WILL NOT GET YOU HIGH!
You’d have to take weeks worth of lexapro to get it to built in your system. Taking 4 10mg Lexapro is NOT going to get you high! It takes weeks to build up in a needed patents body. Of course lexapro is going to increase moods in people with depression and anxiety! That why the drug exists!
So stop your nonsense comment. Because it’s not warranted and it IS NOT THE TRUTH!
Lilmomma7
21 May 2018
Now just being on 10mg will it still make u get high
Jenni79bk
2 Dec 2018
Yes in fact 10mg can make you feel high! I took 10mg and felt drunk the first time I ever took it. It was awful
Inactive
18 Sep 2013
Hello needsmileyface. No it will not make "you feel high". The side effects when first beginning the Lexapro vary (not every one will experience a or any side effect) For example, headache, nausea, dry mouth, insomnia are several common, normal side effects. Regards pledge
Tyrunder
5 June 2015
It surely does not make you high like marijuana, but my girlfriend took it (5mg) and 1, and she did not like it at all. It made her very "happy", dizzy, especially when she walked. She couldn't even walk straight. But yeah I guess not everyone will have side effects.
Related topics
lexapro, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, side effect, doctor
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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