question about anti-depressant?

Question

My doctor recommended that I start taking Lexapro for some depression. Has anyone else ever tried it, if so, what have your experiences been?

Answer 1

I've been on it for a few months & so far it's just been so-so. At first I was so nauseated from it that I didn't want to eat, but that wasn't so bad. Once the first couple of weeks were over, the side effects passed. It DID help my mood swings & a lot of the really negative thoughts & feelings. I take it at lunch time each day, with food, & haven't had anymore side effect type problems.
Good luck - & you may want to consider "talk therapy" as well; find a therapist you feel comfortable with & work on your problems & solving them. You have to work to make YOU better!

Answer 2

I was on lexapro last year for a few months. it is a popular antidepressant that drs give people who are on them for the first time. I felt relief of my anxiety and depression within the first hour of taking my first dose. There were a few side effects-- mostly dry throat and mouth and fatigue, but most anti depressants have at least these. take it at bedtime with something to eat. you may not feel the full effects for 3-4 weeks so be patient and give it time. those who think like tom cruise and don't "believe" in mental drugs obviously have no idea that there are actual diseases that need these meds. would they tell someone with diabetes that they should just buck up and handle it?? this is the same way--your body doesn't have the correct amount of chemicals to keep you healthy so they need to come from an outside source--pills--to make you feel better. just go with the lexapro and I hope you do feel better soon.

Answer 3

I want to first acknowledge that I am a huge fan of "better living thru chemistry." If you are depressed and miserable and you stay that when you do not have to is ridiculous. Congratulations, you are taking care of yourself andd that's always to be commmended.

Now a word about ALL those side effects: this is the thing about side effects...someone somewhere in the history of the drug in question reported feeling a certain way on a certain day to someone who then reported that to people who write things down...it does not mean you will EVER feel that way.

Lexapro is a mild drug it that was actually developed for use in the elderly; who are usually more like small children than adults in both diet and stature...it has proven to be very successful in the general population.

Answer 4

As Salaam to you all, Taking any medication for a true illness is not Haram, even if that medicine has alcohol within it. Enough has been said about anti-depressants by other contributors to this question but it is up to the individual and what the doctor has prescribed that matters. It is up to the individual to take or not take the prescription if they truly think and believe that they can do without it, or the doctor can be influenced into prescribing an alternative medicine. Wa Salaam

Answer 5

Take it at night, it makes you a little drowsy. Everyone is different so try it yourself for a couple of months. It is supposed to help with anxiety, anti-depressants are not a death sentence and you should not look at it as a stigma. Sometimes you need help until your life straightens out or until you learn to deal better.

Answer 6

I hate this drug with a passion never again will I take it never.

More common side effects may include:
Constipation, decreased appetite, decreased sex drive, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, ejaculation disorder, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, impotence, indigestion, insomnia, nausea, runny nose, sinusitis, sleepiness, sweating
Less common side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, abnormal dreaming, allergic reactions, blurred vision, bronchitis, chest pain, coughing, earache, fever, gas, heartburn, high blood pressure, hot flushes, increased appetite, irritability, joint pain, lack of concentration, lack of energy, lack of orgasm, light-headedness, menstrual cramps, migraine, muscle pain, nasal congestion, neck and shoulder pain, pain in arms or legs, palpitations, rash, ringing in the ears, sinus congestion, sinus headache, stomachache, tingling, toothache, tremors, urinary problems, vertigo, vomiting, weight changes, yawning


Special warnings about this medication
Lexapro makes some people sleepy. Until you know how the drug affects you, use caution when driving a car or operating other hazardous machinery.

In rare cases, Lexapro can trigger mania (unreasonably high spirits and excess energy). If you've ever had this problem, be sure to let the doctor know.

Also make sure that the doctor knows if you have liver problems or severe kidney disease. Your dosage may need adjustment.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
Do not use Lexapro if you are taking the related drug Celexa. Be sure to avoid MAO inhibitors when taking Lexapro. Although Lexapro does not interact with alcohol, the manufacturer recommends avoiding alcoholic beverages.

If Lexapro is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Lexapro with the following:

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Desipramine (Norpramin)
Drugs that act on the brain, including antidepressants, painkillers, sedatives, and tranquilizers
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Lithium (Eskalith)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
Narcotic painkillers
Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Answer 7

Actually, I am currently taking Lexapro myself.
The only downfall I have noticed from it is that it gives me "cotton mouth" or a dry mouth for better terms.
I have been taking it for about a month now and I have noticed a difference for the better.
Also, you may want to be sure to take food with it, it did upset my stomach when I took it on a an empty stomach.

Answer 8

Yes i was on lexapro for a while, The perscription costs 80 dollars a month. It also made me feel loopy and caused stomach aches.

Answer 9

I have been on it for at least a year
and it works GREAT for me.
helps my depression and anxiety.
I personally have no side effects whatsoever.
I take it in the morning.
it has never made me sleepy.

Answer 10

I've been on it before. it didn't work for me but thats not to say it won't for you. i took mine in the morning and i didn't have any side effects.