Escitalopram for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Mak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2015

"I was hospitalized on November 26, 2014, for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. I honestly thought my life had come to an end. They gave me Lexapro 20 mg. It took 2-3 months for me to really feel the effects of the drug, but it works. As far as levels of anxiety are concerned, I am very doubtful the level of anxiety I had is one easily surpassed. It was a nonstop, 24/7, perpetual burning sensation in my chest, ears, and extremities, which had no underlying physiological cause. For anyone who is suffering from severe depression and anxiety and thinks there is nowhere left to turn, I URGE you to try this drug. Escitalopram may SAVE your life."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2021

Escitalopram "I was prescribed Lexapro for severe long-term anxiety and depression. Even though it didn't work on my depression after 5 months of use, I wanted to leave it a positive review, since these drugs have the power to save people's lives. Initially, I experienced basically every side effect possible: nausea, loss of appetite, night sweats, bad vivid dreams, changes to taste, dizziness, short-term memory loss, inability to orgasm, blurred vision in the morning, heart palpitations, headaches, and extreme moments of anxiety to the point of throwing up, extreme depression to the point of having to sleep all day. But you know what - this list of side effects sounds horrible, but they are worth it if you start to feel even a little bit like yourself again. After about a month, the side effects decreased in severity, my anxiety was gone, but it still left me with the inability to orgasm and had no impact on my depression. I've now moved to Cymbalta (SNRI) and will review that in a few months."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2021

Escitalopram "Lexapro has definitely helped me. I don't dread or worry as much. I'm not a numb vessel coasting through life anymore. I actually enjoy my life - the good and the not-so-good! I'm on a low dose and take it once in the morning. No profound side effects EXCEPT I have trouble initiating an orgasm; however, I still feel pleasure during sex, so it's not the end of the world."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 30, 2019

"Escitalopram has changed my life. I know it might not be for everyone, and it definitely took time (2 years) to find the right medication for me. After trying Wellbutrin, Prozac, Xanax, Abilify, Trazodone, and Seroquel, it was a simple SSRI that brought my most severe MDD symptoms to a halt. It took time and patience to find the right drug, but I have been stable on it for 8 months and am in full remission from depression. All this said, I know others that have success with Prozac or other medications listed above. Trust your doctors, trust the process, and be honest with any symptoms you experience. Don't lose hope."

• Kob...
• January 4, 2019

"I have been on this for about 4 years now. I suffered from severe depression, plus panic attacks and severe anxiety. I didn't believe in pills, especially ones that could help how bad I was feeling. I was having about 4-5 anxiety attacks per day before I started on this. I didn't sleep (I suffer from insomnia, but it was so bad I would maybe get 2 hours of solid sleep a night). I got sleep paralysis a lot, literally gave up on life. I started taking half a pill, then a full one, 10 mg. The first week, I hated every minute, I got worse and sick, was suicidal, more depressed, didn't get out of bed. But I stuck with them because I got told it got better, but it took 4 weeks to start not feeling sick, and I upped my dosage to 20 mg. If you can't stick with it for at least 4 weeks, then yes, you will hate it. But coming from someone who was dead against tablets and gave up any hope of my anxiety ever stopping and my depression ever getting easier to deal with... this medication has SAVED MY LIFE..."

• Ema...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2019

Escitalopram "This medicine made me so sick. I tried taking it in the morning, I got sick. I tried taking it at night, I got sick. I tried with and without food, and I kept getting sick. I was on 25 mg, and after a week, I couldn’t take it anymore. All it did was stress me out and made me feel weak."

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 30, 2022

Escitalopram "I didn’t see side effects when I first started Lexapro. Once I started getting my dosage increased, I experienced nausea and disorientation. I tried up to 25 mg. This was too much for me. When it was too much medication, I had a constant headache, I was nauseous, eating less, and had suicidal ideations."

• Bab...
• September 12, 2019

"I first started on the generic Lexapro in 2018. I went to the doctor because I was so depressed I didn't want to comb my hair or get out of bed. I just wanted to cry. I started with 10 mg. The first week I had diarrhea. After 8 weeks, I was outgoing, had lots of energy, I had so much energy I was the life of the party, and I didn't even drink. Then I started hanging out more, everyone loved my energy. With that, I started drinking, which was a BIG NO NO. I stopped the medication and slipped right back into a depression. Now, in 2019, I am on 20 mg, I'm at week 5. I love this medicine, please don't drink and take it in the morning. I'm so ready for week 8 ❤"

• Mom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 10, 2019

Escitalopram "Lexapro didn't fully resolve my depression. It took the edge off, but my doctor had to add Wellbutrin because alone it wasn't doing enough even on 20 mgs. I discontinued Lexapro because I was gaining too much weight from increased appetite and lethargy. It also messed with my libido and made it difficult to orgasm, as well as made me super forgetful and flighty. After taking a gene sight test, I found that Lexapro was in the moderate category, so it never would have worked for me anyway."

• Itz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2023

Escitalopram "Completing week 5. It has been hell. The first medication, Mirtazapine, seemed to have made my already severe depression worse. I felt extremely suicidal without space for any other thought. So far, I had my period a few days ago, and for the last two days, the suicidal plan hasn't been up and running. I am taking it as a good sign. Starting week 5… We’ll see. I'll try to come back."

• Sup...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2022

"I have been using this medication for about a year, starting at 2.5 mg and ending up on 15 mg. I was prescribed it for CPTSD/GAD/MDD. Prescribed to me by my awesome GP. Amazing med, but it can take a long time to find the right dose and to work, which requires quite a lot of patience. There are uncomfortable side effects in the beginning (nausea, headache, constipation). These are manageable. Also, around 20 lb weight gain for me, but I was pretty thin to begin with, so I didn’t mind. I had to go up a size. This med has given me enough motivation to go to therapy, exercise, eat healthy, and practice daily CBT and DBT, as well as mindfulness, all of which help me manage my illnesses. Escitalopram is life-saving for me - the reason I’m taking it is for mental illness after sexual assault. I highly recommend it. Work with your doctor or psych to figure out the best dose and approach for you. Very easy to use. I take the med in the morning, it doesn’t affect my sleep that way."

• gab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 5, 2019

Escitalopram "I was on Lexapro for 8 months. It didn't work at all. It seems it accentuated the depression even more. I was sleeping too much and eating too much. I couldn't socialize. After I got off of it, I had a euphoric episode."

• irr...
• August 3, 2016

"I waited way too long to get treated for anxiety and depression. I wish I would have sought medical help sooner. After 20 years of battling with both anxiety and depression and moving and living as if I were in slow motion, I finally went on an SSRI. Before the escitalopram, I was constantly irritable, jumpy, quick to anger, and downright raging at times. I took a lot of my bad moods out on my kids and husband, and I feel horrible. I am calm now. Things that normally would upset me and set me off don't even bother me now. I can function normally and not like a crazy person. I started out with 10 mg and was increased to 20 mg. Some sexual side effects, but I will take it any day over what I was living with."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2021

Escitalopram "I've been taking Paxil for 6 years now, 40 mg daily. It was my miracle drug, it seemed. Kept my migraines at bay, my depression curbed down, I felt myself. My daughter passed away in 2009. Every year near her birthday, I'd always get low. This year, 2021, I must have met my breaking point. About a week before her birthday, I had the worst panic attack I've had in 6 years. I had to pull over, Dad had to come and rescue me and drive me home. For 30+ minutes, I couldn't see straight, heart pounding, even had a stranger come and talk to me. He couldn't believe I was having an attack because to him, I seemed totally fine. Come to find out, he was a priest, he prayed for me. Well, I met with my doctor a few days later. He said Paxil probably stopped working, and he put me on Lexapro 20 mg. Tuesday I took my Paxil, Wednesday morning I stopped it and started Lexapro. Immediately switched, he said I'd be fine. Of course, like y'all, I had to look it up, wish I wouldn't. Each day I'm getting better, today is day 7 on Lexapro."

• Jar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2025

"I am a 23-year-old male diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I have been on many antidepressants - SNRI (venlafaxine, duloxetine) and SSRI (paroxetine, citalopram, fluvoxamine) and I must say I just think I have antidepressant-resistant depression and I've lost hope of what to do. I went to the emergency room due to extreme suicidal thoughts and a suicide attempt. A psychiatrist there prescribed me escitalopram 10 mg (we have Elicea in Slovakia), and I can't tell if it helps me much. But the side effects are bad. I have nausea, excessive yawning, muscle shaking, agitation... I only take one in the morning... I have read so many positive reviews about this antidepressant, but for me, it's not good yet. Maybe I should continue taking it and it will get better?"

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 6, 2023

Escitalopram "I take Lexapro 5 mg with 150 mg of Wellbutrin, and it has worked wonders for me. I didn’t like taking too high a dosage of Lexapro. I felt lazy and sluggish. The combination of both really helped me with major depression, and since the Lexapro is not high in dosage, I don’t worry about gaining weight. I definitely would recommend Lexapro, but in smaller dosages."

• Sun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 19, 2020

"I’ve taken Lexapro (20 mg) for a consistent length of time, and I can firmly say this drug truly made my depression worsen. I’ve suffered with major depression since my adolescence, but I’m currently in the worst of it (even while on 20 mg). I’m sleeping 12-20 hours a day, crying several hours a day, having horrific, vivid dreams, no motivation, always fatigued, and very emotional. I speak with my doc next week to ask about getting on something different because I’ve sadly been experiencing passive suicidal thoughts. I’ve heard this drug helping others out greatly, but for me it’s a huge no. If it wasn’t for my faith and support system, I could’ve gone down a very bad path from the thoughts and severe depression I’ve experienced lately. I pray you all have a better experience than I did, but if not, know you’re not alone. Prayers for everyone to come out stronger and happier in their journey. God bless you all!"

• bsh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2021

Escitalopram "I was on it for about a year. Even pushed it to 60 mg with my doctor. Never could quite help me. For me, it was better for anxiety than depression. I think there are some people that are never introduced to any drugs except SSRIs - but I can tell you none of the SSRIs helped me. Getting some help from another drug in another class right now. Praying it works."

• Ari...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 20, 2019

"61 years old with panic disorder and major depression. The doctor weaned me off all my other antidepressants, Celexa, Wellbutrin, etc., and put me on 5 mg of escitalopram for several months with not much success. Upped to 10 mg two days ago, and what a difference. I wish I had done it sooner. A little foggy yet and slight nausea, but my panic is down to a 3. I can’t wait for the full effects of the 10 mg."

• mma...
• July 16, 2019

Escitalopram "My doctor prescribed me Wellbutrin XL at 150 mg, and I was on it (currently) for a few months. He wanted to pair 5 mg of Lexapro with my Wellbutrin to see if it would stabilize things. I gave this medication a whole thirty-day cycle. I’m unsure if it was the pairing of the two or just the Lexapro itself. But it caused me physical and emotional distress. Physical: extreme nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, dizziness, I had a ton of vivid dreams. I felt consistently even more fatigue, but could never fall asleep. Emotional side: I felt a bit foggy, had some really dark thoughts, was more sensitive than usual, and had no motivation to work out, so activities I enjoy, etc. It intensified some of my old depression symptoms instead of aiding them. I’m unsure if it helped the anxiety portion. This medication is clearly not the right one for me. Currently slowly weaning off of it. I hope it works better for others."

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2021

Escitalopram "This is one of many antidepressants I have tried - it worked for my depression to an extent, but I went off it after 4-5 months because I felt like a zombie. It also removed my ability to enjoy sex (anorgasmia). I'm grateful I took it when I did because it numbed me to the loss of a beloved family member to a horrible form of cancer, but that was exactly the problem - I was numb all the time. I had no lows, but I also had no highs; my personality felt like a constant flat line. In the end, I wanted my personality back, so I stopped taking it. It also caused me to gain weight (5-10 lbs). I probably would have overlooked that if not for the other issues."

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2020

"I felt the side effects for the first few days, which were brain fog, haziness, and tiredness. I then continued to feel fatigued but better through the next month. I used to cry every day for two months straight, and the first month was so much better. I got into my second month of Cipralex, and everything started to go downhill. I started crying again, having thoughts of terror, self-harm, just awful torture feelings. I now feel extremely detached from reality, and I am very scared. I cry every day, maybe twice a day, with a full-blown mental breakdown. I’m seeing a clinical therapist and a psychiatrist to help! I’ll keep this updated because I would love to help someone if they have this same issue."

• It...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2022

Escitalopram "I’m very glad I stuck it out with Lexapro. I take the generic version, but the first few weeks are going to be ROUGH. I was feeling nauseous 24/7, getting daily headaches, anxiety, and insomnia. It’s worth it. If you can stick out the first couple of weeks, it is awesome. I’ve never felt better about myself and I can actually focus on my tasks and get out of bed. Been through a couple of different antidepressants, but this one is definitely the one that works the best for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2022

Escitalopram "I was on Prozac and Paxil as a teen, and ugh, not great. Found Prozac and took a baby dose-10 mg-and it helped my mood, anxiety, irritability, anger, motivation, apathy, isolation, depression… then it stopped working, as sometimes happens. I was nervous to switch, as it was helpful at one time. We switched to Lexapro, as it’s similar, and within 2 weeks, less depressed, a month, mostly recovered, 2 months, as good as it’s gonna get. Noticed 0 side effects, and I usually have side effects. I notice I can sleep better, but also struggle with wanting to stop sleeping. It’s almost too easy to sleep, so it needs a behavioral solution, or I can take halved pills every other day to see. I don’t feel tired or groggy or even sleepy, it’s just easy for me to fall asleep at rest. I love this med! It’s brought me back from a pretty big depressive episode."

• lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2014

"Suffered from mild anxiety and mild depression as well as moderate PMDD. This medicine at 5 mg has literally transformed my life. I was worried about weight gain as I had an eating disorder before, but I haven't gained a pound or lost a pound. I am the person I used to be; I don't yell and scream from PMDD anymore. The first week I had headaches and vivid dreams, but that goes away. Now the only side effect I have is very entertaining detailed dreams; it's neat actually."