Escitalopram for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Sunny...
• 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 went 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!"

• Natzz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Well I went back on this as it was kind of OK when I had CFS a few years ago and somewhat improved my mood. After a few stressful incidents it became hard to manage my depression naturally so I took the quick fix route because I didn't have time to work out and eat right. Having achieved remission with diet/sleep/SamE/exercise I can assure you that the effects of Lexapro are wildly different than a careful self care routine. Day one I was so drugged, I felt high and was barely able to work let alone drive. Total lethargy, extreme anxiety and inability to stop smiling even though I was terrified on the inside. In short, similar to a bad overdose on MJ. Day two, same effect, I had to call out of work. Stopped the pills."

• GuyWi...
• April 23, 2017

"I had tried every medication in the books, but with no success and really bad side effects. I now take 20MG escitalopram first thing in the morning. But around 5pm my anxiety kicks in and I feel panic attacks coming, but that is when I have it timed out to take 1MG clonazapam. Then around 9pm when I am ready for bed, I take 150MG Seroquel. This is absolutely the PERFECT combination to balance out my day. I have had severe depression for about 12 years with nightmares and panic attacks. I felt like life was hopeless. I was unable to make any friends because I was overwhelmed with anxiety and couldn't establish relationships. This combination has finally given me hope. I am able to be social now. I am able to feel good. Thank you!!!"

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

Lexapro (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 anti-depressants but this one is definitely the one that works the best for me."

• lilyab
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2014

"Suffered from mild anxiety and mild depression as well as moderate PMDD. This medicine at 5mg 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; its neat actually."

• Hectoor
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2014

"I have used escitalopram 20mg for 2 years. For the first period, 1 year, It was very effective. It helped me getting out of depression. Decision making became perfect, sexual life wasn't affected. There was no physical side effect on usage with alcohol but physiologically It changes me a little emotional and depressive when I drunk. However, after 1 year, this medicine turned me a feelingless person like a robot. I cannot cry, I cannot feel anything for a person right now. I am not sad but I am not happy too."

• Sxanb
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Im 17 years old and started suffering with depression a couple months after my dad died and thats when I was put on Lexapro 10mg. The side effects were horrible for the first couple of days, extreme nausea and massive headaches. About a couple of weeks later we upped my dosage to 20mg and it helped me with me depression a little bit for a while but now (about 4 months later) my depression has gone back to how it was before I started Lexapro. Ive also noticed that it has made me extremely exhausted all of the time. I have to sleep at least 12 hours to function and even then it is hard to wake up and carry out my day. This may work for some but it did not work well for me. Im going to try to switch antidepressants within the next few days."

• Anon
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Was absolutely awful for me. After 1 pill at the lowest starting dose I experienced horrible anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks in the morning so bad I was worried I'd have to go to ER for my heart. Prescriber told me to halve the dosage and this only somewhat lessened the effects. I could not tolerate this med at all."

• alias
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2019

Lexapro (escitalopram) "So I was on just 5mg of lexapro and got high (hypermanic) like I've never been before. My doctor diagnosed me as atypical bipolar even though it was a one time thing, but whatever. I needed a mood stabilizer after that and take a lot of antipsychotics to stabilize myself."

• Hyang
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I’m on my third day on Lexapro double dose to 20 mg. Muscle stiffness, major headache, fatigue, trouble sleeping, fast heart rate, and lower backaches. Weight gain. Blah! I tried Effexor and Zoloft. Both gave me rapid heart rate and major blood pressure. I had to go off of them and the effects of going off was like dying. I had more side affects than when I started and triple that effects. I’m hoping the Lexapro will do better and the side affects will not stay. This is my fifth SSRI."

• noano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2020

"I don't think this is the medication for me, it worsened my anxiety and my depression. Basically did the exact opposite of what it's supposed to do. It depends on the person who takes the medication so who knows."

• Tweed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2021

"Taking for MDD. Was prescribed cipralex in my early 20s, but at the time had started law school and couldn’t handle the side effects. I stopped taking it after 3 days, which I regret because throughout my 20s and 30s I had major problems due to my depression that affected me and my family negatively. This time (in my mid 30s now) we managed to get through side effects by starting low, going slow. This works for me because I also have anxiety and am super sensitive to medication side effects. Started on 2.5 mg and are working up to 10 mg, which is the minimum required dose for MDD, increasing by 2.5 increments, and staying one each for one month before increasing again. I am really happy with this med- after trying several treatments for my life long depression, it seems to work best, along with daily exercise, and healthy diet. Pls, don’t give up until you find something that works for u ❤️"

• Sawyer
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2020

"I'm 29 years old and have suffered with major depressive disorder since I was about 14. I've been on a few anti-depressants but Lexapro is honestly the only thing that has helped. I'm still not 100% (I don't know if I'll ever be) but Lexapro helps pull me out of the bad thoughts and low points. It's definitely the most effective anti-depressant I've ever taken. However, it does absolutely nothing to help with my anxiety."

• Nextm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2016

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Didn't do much for me at all, often felt sedated. Motivation is really bad. It stopped me from crying 24/7 and now I have an appetite but thats about it. Onto the next med I guess, I need the next one to be much better."

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

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I was on Prozac + Paxil as a teen and ugh not great. Found prozac and took a baby dose- 10mg- 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."

• Catun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2018

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Was prescribed Lexapro 10 mg about 7 months ago after a really bad depressive episode on Zoloft, which led to me being highly suicidal. At first this drug was truly amazing as I'd finally started to feel normal, the negative thoughts and rumination disappeared along with my anxiety, I started going to the gym and enjoying my life like never before. A really important advice I'd give is to NOT drink alcohol while taking Lexapro if you used to have a problem with drinking or being more or less of an alcoholic. I do not know if drinking is the cause but after a while I became highly depressed and could not restrain from drinking alcohol. I gained 20 lbs (which has never happened before as I do not usually gain weight) and lost all my libido, lost interest in everything and started to isolate myself from friends and family. Even tried to increase the dosage of Lexapro to 20 mg and it made me incredibly anxious and numb."

• Sloan
• October 23, 2019

"Starting Lexapro for my 4th time. Last time I stuck with it for 12 months. I’ve tried dozens of meds for depression & anxiety, including Zoloft, Prozac, & Buspar. All SSRI’s give me SEVERE side effects for the first 2-3 weeks. They induce AKATHISIA — severe restlessness & restless leg syndrome, extreme irritability, racing thoughts, panic, inability to sit still, feeling like I’m crawling out of my skin, insomnia — as well as worsening depression, some nausea, hot flashes, & sexual side effects (trouble reaching orgasm & tingly sensations). The worst side effects start to go away by the 3rd week, but it’s unbearable up until then, so I understand why these meds have a black box warning. In my 12 months on Lexapro 10mg, the insomnia never relented & I still had bad bouts of depression. It may have slightly helped with anxiety. I plan to go up to 20mg this time to see if a higher dose is more beneficial. Going to look into TMS now. Keep fighting, 1 moment at a time. ❤️"

• Fchbkn
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2019

"I’ve been on this drug escitalopram for about 3 years now. I cannot taper off at all without becoming very sick and crying non stop. I started at 10mg and because it wasn’t working they kept putting me up until I was at 30. These meds make me feel as if I had been lobotomized and I cannot stop sleeping. I have slept up to 48 hours straight. I fall asleep at work, on the train, at parties, everywhere. Caffeine has no effect. Sex drive is nonexistent. I’m always kind of confused and I feel a lot less mentally agile. After 2 years of trying to taper off, I’m finally at 25mg. That’s right, I’ve been trying to get off this medication for 2 years and I have only been able to get down by 5mg. The withdrawal symptoms are rough. It feels like trudging through water with the flu and having random, uncontrollable crying episodes. SSRI’s are different for everyone and I know they’ve helped a lot of people. I just wish I had known it might take me years to get off of them."

• Human...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2023

"Escitalopram has really been changing my life for the better. Yet, it took months to feel better. I am deeply thankful to my physician who prescribed it to me, starting with only 5mg to be aware of any uncomfortable reaction to the medication. So, for two weeks I was on 5mg a day, could not feel any better right away. I was diagnosed with complex post traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (since my childhood) and major depressive disorder with daily - constant suicide idealization. I could not go through my days without thinking so strongly about ending my life, ending this torture that my life unfortunately was. After the two weeks, my doctor told me that 10 mg will be the next step. For about one month I was on 10 mg, still no side effects and my doctor finally prescribed to me the 20mg. It has been six months now, and I do feel better. But it took time : months. Love + Light to you"

• Austi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2021

"Was put on escitalopram 5mg then slowly titrated up to 20mg over several months. This medication has helped me tremendously with my depression and anxiety. I would definitely recommend it. The only side effect that I have had from it is a mild headache but nothing to bad."

• Nanos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2022

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I was 4 weeks on the generic then switched to name brand for 5 weeks. So total 9 weeks on this medication. I was super scared , this was my first medication ever. I just remember feeling really panicky the first couple days & kept waking up in the middle of the night feeling anxious/ nervous. I always had a headache & nausea didn't care if that was a side effect of this drug. I just remember feeling really confused on this medication and more depressed so my obgyn told me to stop it. Coming over the medication was not hard for me. I was taking 10mg and never went up a dosage. Hope this helps."

• raissaw
• June 29, 2021

Lexapro (escitalopram) "Part one: Hello. I would like to share my so far short experience. I’m suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and adhd. All of them are pretty bad. You all know what it feels like to suffer from these, so I’m not going to list all my symptoms. I’ve been on Zoloft, abilify, adderrall, remeron , propranolol ( for high blood pressure and anxiety) and clonazepam for many years, and they seemed to help. And I’ve been on several other antipsychotics including Lithium. Side effects from the antipsychotics were, Hallucinations, extreme night sweats, dry mouth, I had no interest in anything, very low energy, half of my hair had fallen out. It was just terrible."

• KatBray
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 4, 2021

"Prescribed escitalopram for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. I was on it for a number of years and it worked well, but stopped working eventually. Side effects were mild. I had a bit of fatigue and brain fog, but that's about it. Probably the best medication I've tried."

• RJC
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 30, 2017

Lexapro (escitalopram) "I went through withdrawal from Cymbalta and Benzos at the same time 7 years ago. It was torture and after two years I was still feeling wrecked. Some things improved, I think mainly Benzo related, but was still in a nightmare. I finally gave up and risked going back on an antidepressant so I started Lexapro. I couldn't believe how well it worked and it seemed to take away the lingering withdrawal symptoms. I could think straight and enjoy things again. Worked for three years until it seemed to not help much with my mood anymore. I switched to Prozac which helped for the next couple years and quit working. I'm still on it and feel a lot like when I was withdrawing from Cymbalta. I am going to try Lexapro again. Wish me luck!"

• yourn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2021

"I started using this medication four months ago. My experience with it has been generally positive. It did not make me happy out of nowhere but it did help with my depression. I also do carry anxiety symptoms and this medicine really helped with them. One thing I love about this medication is that the side effects are considerably and visibly milder than other antidepressants I've been on. My body tolerates it better than many other antidepressants. I would recommend it to people who struggle with depression and anxiety."