Lexapro & Constipation - Anxiety Message Board

Bell Jar · 08-18-2005, 09:34 AM

This might be a bit crude, so I apologize in advance.

I've been on Lexapro for nearly 3 weeks. I am beginning to feel the benefits as I haven't had a bad panic attack lately and my anxiety is a little more tolerable.

Unfortunately, it seems to causing some constipation which eventually turns into diarreah. My diet is pretty healthy for the most part and contains plenty of fiberous foods. I've also been using Citracel and digestive enzymes.

This hasn't really helped much and I'm wondering if anyone has been experiencing the same side effect and what they do to help move things along. I am hoping after I've been on it a while it will simply go away on it's own.

WannaBeFreeToRoam · 08-18-2005, 10:11 PM

Hi Bell Jar,

I take Lexapro also. After a few weeks, I was constipated too. Just some. No diahrea
though. We eat lots of salads and veges and fruits and whole wheat bread (2 gm fiber). But that still did not help too much. Here comes the crude part: I used to go everyday. But then I started only going ever 2nd or 3rd day. Did not like that.

Next time I went to my dr., I told him and he gave me a prescription medicine to help make me more regular. I am supposed to take it everyday. I sometimes miss a day, 1 - 2 times per week. But that is ok, it still works pretty good. It is called Enulose, 10 mg. and is a liquid. I tried a stool softener, and all that did was make my stomach and bowels hurt and did not make me regular!

You might ask your dr. for something like that. Hope you feel better Wannabe

NathanF41 · 08-18-2005, 10:53 PM

I was talking to a psychiatrist today that said diarrhea and/or constipation is a side effect.

smc612 · 08-19-2005, 01:33 PM

i stopped my lexapro today after only taking it 4 days. everything was fine for the first 2 1/2 days and then all of a sudden i was nauseous,bad headache, craving sweets, insomnia back,sweating,anxious and constipated. this was prescribed for menopausal symptoms. why i felt fine for almost 3 days and then it all started i don't know. i feel bad enough without having ugly side effects from a drug. hope you all are luckier. i ahve had this problem with every SSRI i have taken. should have known better.

NathanF41 · 08-19-2005, 02:07 PM

But isn't it known that for the first couple weeks that the symptoms are pronounced in all ssris??