I started taking Lexapro today, I've had the following symptoms:

Dilated Pupils
No Hunger (thought of food makes me gag)
Sleepyness

Is this normal ? What else should I expect?

Hey makesally,

I don't take Lexapro but I just wanted to say that when my bf started on it, he experienced the exact same things you did. There are some days where he's still really sleepy and has no appetite. I hope it all works out for you.

That is normal. It takes about 2-4 weeks to get over the side effects and get the full effect of the med. It took me a while to get used to it but it works great.

I'm at my second day, and I'm starting to think I felt better before I started taking the medication.....now I sinus headaches. I can barely stay awake!

What mg. are you taking? You might need to halve the pill and try that for a week or so.

I'm taking samples of 10mg in the am, with food.

I would halve the 10mg into 5 and take that for a week before bedtime and then try moving up to the 10.

Hi I would suggest you half that I think everyone should start at 5mg and go from there. I am still on 5mg and I'm doing great after 2mos I didn't get nauseated but at first didn't have much hunger but there is no problem now. My only side effect was the big D and that is pretty much gone. I really think you should try and stick this out for awhile longer this is the best thing that has happened to me and with only 2 days down you have to be patient there can be nasty side effects with any antidepressants and if this one is not for you there are tons more you can try out. Best o luck! Jules :)

I"ve been on Lexapro since it was introduced. Had been on Celexa(it's chemical cousin)..and other SSRIS before that. My problem is that I don't tolerate side-effects very well..and for me in the normal doses, ALL of them caused shakiness, that cotten-headed feeling, some tingling.etc. Everyones experience can be different. The usual starting dose is 10mg once a day. I only take 5 & it's worked well for me without all the unpleasantness. The downside is I've gained SEVERAL pounds(well..actually about 30! since I started the SSRIs in 1998. I've always been a little guy..only 5'6'', & NEVER weighed more than 129 in my entire life. Now I'm at about 155 & feeling like a middle-aged PIG! haha! I also take 3.5 mgs of Klonopin everyday..& that could contribute to the weight gain also. I'm hungry all the time!!!!! (But who cares..I'm 51 now, & the Panic Attacks, depression & anxiety are under control so it's a trade-off.) Frankly I'd like to go off the Lexapro just to see now I feel..but I didn't take it one day(in error)& I felt HORRIBLE the next day. Even at that small dose it packs a wallop! I've been on Klonopin for 15 years...don't have any short term memory left..(uh where was I????), but it's much better than Xanax I think...& VERY effective. Take Care!!!!

Hi everyone. I suffer from anxiety and depression. I am on Welbutrin which doesn't do anything for anxiety but doesn't cause the weight gain or sexual problems. I was on Paxil and it is a miracle for me! But I gained 30 lbs and am getting married next year and want the weight off. So that's why the Welbutrin now. But I don't find it works as well as Paxil. So my doctor told me about Lexapro that has the effectiveness of Paxil but without the weight gain like Wellbutrin. But I have read that it really does a number on your libido and sexual functioning. Does anyone not have the horrible sexual side effects who takes Lexapro? I really don't want to mess with my libido as it is not great as it is. I would really apprciate and love to hear your experiences.
Thanks

I don't know if I'm going to make it through the first week of Lexapro. I have been sleeping alot, and I have painful sinus headaches. I yawn alot too. My eyes are dilated again. Is this normal for the first week, because I'm about done with using this....I think I felt better before I started taking it. I'm on Flonase too.

Also, I'm taking it in the morning. Do you think it would be better if I took it at night?

Also, I'm taking it in the morning. Do you think it would be better if I took it at night?

My bf takes it a little while before he goes to bed since it makes him tired too. Maybe this might make you feel a little bit better?

I would take it at night. Splitting the dose will really help.

I take it at night too. Don't give up yet, it's too soon. Like American dancer said, spli the pill if it continues to make you feel crappy.

It does get better, really it does. I wanted to quit all the time for the same reasons. It all does pass. I started at 5 mg and now take 20 and it really works great. Well worth getting over the hurdle in the beginning. Hang in there and think of the light at the end of the tunnel :wave:

Hi everyone. I suffer from anxiety and depression. I am on Welbutrin which doesn't do anything for anxiety but doesn't cause the weight gain or sexual problems. I was on Paxil and it is a miracle for me! But I gained 30 lbs and am getting married next year and want the weight off. So that's why the Welbutrin now. But I don't find it works as well as Paxil. So my doctor told me about Lexapro that has the effectiveness of Paxil but without the weight gain like Wellbutrin. But I have read that it really does a number on your libido and sexual functioning. Does anyone not have the horrible sexual side effects who takes Lexapro? I really don't want to mess with my libido as it is not great as it is. I would really apprciate and love to hear your experiences.
Thanks

I started on Lexapro 10mg back in March of this year. I am going through menopause and had gotten very depressed and anxious. My GYN put me on Lexapro - and it worked great for my depression and anxiety. In fact - it worked for me right away. I had slight nausea during the night so I switched to taking it in the a.m. with breakfast and I was fine. BUT - I stayed hungry - gained weight, and it definitely messed me up sexually. My libedo was the same, but I couldn't orgasm any longer and it was causing problems in my marriage and frustrating to me too! So - I switched to Wellbutrin XL back in August, and slowly starting to get my sexuality back. Weaning off the Lexapro was really hard, I thought I had the flu or something! Finally got through that, and feel good most of the time, althought not quite as well as when I was on Lexapro.

u know that really sucks what it does to the sex drive its really not fair cause i start it next week and my sex drive is perfect i dont want to mess that up now.........

There are a rare few that it doesn't affect that way - but for most people- it does. What about Wellbutrin XL - have you tried that? It doesn't affect you in that way. Do you have severe anxiety - or mostly depression?

I have completely lost my ability to orgasm. Yet, I still have a sex drive. My eyes are dilated still, but I don't have headaches anymore, and my stomach doesnt hurt as bad.

makesally,

what day are you on with the Lexapro? I'm on day three and so far dont' notice much of anything. I have had headaches and a little bit of feeling sick to my stomach but so far thats all.

I was just curious to see where you are on this.....I'm hoping I continue to have good success with Lexapro as I had a horrible experience with Paxil. Hope you're doing well.....

so u really cant orgasm from the lexapro? that is horrible if its true.........

so u really cant orgasm from the lexapro? that is horrible if its true.........

BKM - I could not when having sex with my hubby - but I could bring myself to orgasm, it took longer - but I could do it. But - I disliked not being to climax with him. Some people can't do either :eek:

wow that is a scary thing but at least u can do it somehow .........good luck liljmb

Thanks! I'm on Wellbutrin XL now - since it has less sexual side affects. But - we don't have sex very often (its been three weeks now because we've both been sick - so I haven't had another chance to see if its working! :rolleyes: ) But - its been six months since I've started on Lexapro - and no climax with him, and that sucks!

so u really cant orgasm from the lexapro? that is horrible if its true.........
I really think it could be the dose your on if u can't get the good feeling because I'm on the lowest dose 5 (mg) and I can still get there if ya know what I mean. I think it could take longer I am no expert but if this is a real important thing to u which it is for alot of us then u might want to try something else. Lexapro is a great one for alot of us but can definetly have some downfalls the sexual one is probaly the biggest one next to weight gain. :o Jules

thxs 4 sharin jules that makes me feel better about the issue for when i restart lexapro at the end of this week, thx again im glad its all good 4 u......

I agree - it did work great for me, but the weight gain and non-orgasm thing lead me to switch to Wellbutrin XL. It still works good, but not quite as good as Lexapro. I felt a bit calmer on it, I think. I did try going down to 5mg for a while, but every time I did, I could tell that I didn't feel nearly as well as I did on the 10mg.

I've taken Lexapro for a week now. I've noticed I feel calmer, and I cannot surpress my stressors anymore. It's weird. I've had a completely unfullfilling relationship for two years, and I ended last night, and I don't care. I would not have done that a week ago. I would be crying, pacing, hurting, and begging him for forgiveness. Not today. Today, I actually feel better. I think this pill is pulling to the surface all the things I've been supressing, the things that cause me to be anxious. I can't allow myself to supress things anymore, I've dealt with my stressors instead of letting them unknowingly eat me alive. That's a big change, and it feels good. That man took advantage of my psychological condition. And the more I think of it, the more I want to excell over the anxious little pathetic girl inside of me wishing some jerk with a six figure lifestyle would love me. That's crazy.

So, I guess its worth headaches, the stomach aches, the sleepiness, and yes, even the lack of orgasming.

Does this sound crazy to you?

No it doesn't sound crazy at all. Becoming the person you need to be or being strong enough to be is a big step. I have experienced something similiar with myself. It's great to hear that you are strong enough to do what you needed to do in ending this relationship that was not benefiting you at all. I know how it is to be so emotionally unstable that although your head tells you that you shouldn't be in this - it's hard to let go.

That's a big accomplishment! :bouncing:

I think the weirdest side effect I've had is that I don't want to drink coffee anymore. I tried to drink an iced latte and I had no desire to finish it.

Lexapro was the worst drug I've taken! I was throwing up almost everyday, I could not concentrate on one specific thing....I could try and stare at something and my mind was off somewhere else! Generally on morbid things...My depression hit a high I never though possible, and would jump on board any class action lawsuit against the company! They say everyone is different, but Paxil or Zoloft, never got that bad!!!

I think everyne is different, but I had really annoying sde effects with lexapro, such as bad nasua, dizziness, generally feeling like crap...oh and I couldn't climax either! I am a girl btw....I stopped after taking it for less then a week. I would rather go through PPD without meds then be sick, tired and orgasmless for an undetermined amount of time. I can't be feeling physically sick with a newborn around :(

Just my reaction tho....I know a lot of people who loved lexapro.