Is this normal? I feel like I'm going crazy. I thought it was from getting a bunch of blood drawn, but its still hitting me .
I just started Lexapro and I am having cold chills through my body dizzy. I can't eat - I'm a mess.
Question posted by HelenRoberts11 on 18 March 2018
Last updated on 12 August 2024 by Khungus
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3 Answers
Yes, Lexapro has a long list of potential side effects that it can occur in the first three weeks. I’m on day 12 of only 5 mg and I’ve had a ton of side effects, including nausea, reduced appetite, extreme fatigue, chills, dizziness, shakiness and increased anxiety. The worst of all of that is definitely the fatigue. My mind is awake I can think clearly solve problems speak normally, feel like I wanna do things mentally but physically it’s like I’m out of gas. It’s bizarre and very frustrating but that said it seems to be letting up. No, not everybody suffers all the same side effects and some people have no side effects to begin with. It all depends on the person and their physiology. I personally tend to react negatively to medication’s so I’m not really surprised.
Are you cold all day long and have chills and did they ever go away my feet are freezing and I feel cold. I work out side and it’s 80 degrees lol just my first week on this medicine .
Hi, Brent!
Yes, chills and a cold feeling in the extremities are a reported side effect of Lexapro and it's temporary:
"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."
Best regards,
Is Escitalopram the same and Lexapro
Escitalopram is the generic drug that's the active ingredient in Lexapro. They're the same medication.
Thank you for the peace of mind
You're very welcome! Send some of that 80 degrees up to upstate New York... it's 34 degrees here!
Hi, Helen!
"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."
https://www.drugs.com/lexapro.html
Yes, it's entirely "normal" for some people to have side effects when starting Lexapro or any antidepressant/anxiolytic. They generally only last a few days to a week or two but you feel better each day that passes. Once you begin feeling the good effects of the medication the side effects will have faded.
Related topics
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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