Is it dangerous? Does it work quickly? What are the side-effects?
2007-02-12 04:47:54 · 10 answers · asked by Renee D 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I took Lexapro for over 2 years. I personally feel that the long term effects of the drug are absolutely horrible. Though at first, it most definitely does work. My Dr.'s keep increasing my dosage. I eventually just stopped taking it which is also quite dangerous but it made me feel numb to normal feelings not just depression. When a family member of mine died I was just kinda like, " Oh, they died, EH! Ok!" I didn't really care.
I have also managed to meet quite a few people who have taken it in the past and also have horrid complaints about it. I know some people that twitch. Not like a seizure or anything, but kinda like how you would 'twitch' when you get a cold chill on the back of your neck... this is also something that I have personally experienced.
I think that Lexapro is a horrible drug and that if you are a severely depressed person it does not help too much with the thoughts of suicided... I actually, could be mistaken, but I do believe there is a class action law suit against the pharmaceutical company that developed and produces Lexapro. I could, like I said be confusing that with another drug, but that is something you can research more on the web for yourself...
My advice to anyone who is taking Lexapro and is 'ok' with it would be to talk to someone-NOT YOUR DR.- someone like a boyfriend, parent, or close friend and tell them about some of your concerns and worries, as well as some of the things you have heard... Ask them to report the changes that they see in you to you, as you might not fully be aware of them.
Towards the end of taking Lexapro myself I began having very vivd, graphic, and lucid dreams. On occasion I would actually wake up, and not know if it was a dream and I had just got into bed and snapped back into reality, or if it was all in my head and I was crazy. I also started gaining more than just a little bit of water weight towards the end of my taking it.
I can tell you a lot of my other personal experiences with it if you like. I have yahoo im and e-mail, obviously.
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/lexapro
This is a helpful link. You might want to check it out.
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/lexapro
2007-02-12 05:00:26 · answer #1 · answered by Miss. Persephone 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lexapro like any other medication effects everyone in different ways, it might work very good for you. It can become addictive but your Dr will keep an aye on you and not prescribe you an unrealistic amount. You will have some side effects which with every person can be different, some could be dizziness, fatigue, headaches, dry mouth it will depend on you. Your Dr will let you know. It can also affect you in positive ways, relieving anxiety for starters and making life more comfortable. It can take up to about 4 weeks to kick in. Sometimes a little less or a little longer. Don't be scared to try it, it could help.
2007-02-12 05:05:19 · answer #2 · answered by Tigerluvr 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've had good luck with it. It's helped me a lot - more so than any other antidepressants and for a longer amount of time. It has helped my anxiety as well. I don't think it's any more dangerous than any other anti-depressant, you just have to be careful, such as not drinking alcohol while on it. Follow your doc's instructions on how to take it. As for side effects, I haven't had any major side effects from it. Look to see if Lexapro has a website from the pharmeceutical company that makes it...most medications have a website from the company that makes it. It should list the side effects there. Your doctor or a pharmacist can tell you about side effects as well. And just so you know, just because a certain side effect is mentioned, it does not mean you will experience it. Every person's body handles medication in different ways. I think drug companies are required to list any side effects that occurred during the medication trials - even if they don't think the side effect was actually from the medicine or if only one person experienced it. Hope this helps.
2007-02-12 12:20:45 · answer #3 · answered by Angelia 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have been on Lexapro 10 mg for 4 weeks. I have to also take 2mg of Lorazepam for anxiety attacks. I keep waiting for the Lexapro to kick in, but it hasn't. This morning my doctor upped my dosage to 20mg, so lets see how that works. The only side effects I've had was an initial increase in anxiety (that settled down), dry mouth and feeling really hyper.
By the way, there is no clinical proof that it makes you gain weight. Its just that often people feel better and eat more.
2007-02-12 10:28:02 · answer #4 · answered by WiserAngel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been on Lexapro for over a year now and it's worked pretty well for me. This was the first drug prescribed to me for depression/anxiety. I'm now taking it with two other meds for bipolar disorder and it's still working.
Lexapro is known for it's ability to begin taking effect much sooner than similar medications. Others typically take a full six weeks for the patient to feel the full effects, but some people have noticed the effects just a few days after the initial dose with Lexapro.
For me, I started to feel better right away. I was quite a mess when I first went to the doctor with my symptoms, so the quick effectiveness of this drug was a real lifesaver. Keep in mind, though, that it does take four to six weeks for the drug to *fully* materialize in your system.
As far as side effects, the first week I started it I kept feeling like I needed to gag. But if you keep drinking water, it helps to get rid of this feeling. After the first week, I didn't have any side effects at all. I also didn't notice any weight gain, which is a huge plus because these types of meds are notorious for it.
As far as the "danger" aspect of Lexapro: No, it's not dangerous if it's prescribed to you by a doctor. I definitely wouldn't take it on a dare like one of the previous posts said. As long as you slowly increase the dose until you get to the full dosage, you'll be just fine.
There's lots of good information at www.crazymeds.org if you're interested.
Good luck!
2007-02-12 05:12:03 · answer #5 · answered by lalalola775 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I tried practically every anti-anxiety drug and Lexapro was the only one that worked for me without bad side effects. I can't remember exactly how long it took to start working because it was about 5 years ago, but it didn't take long. The doctor gave it to me to keep my panic attacks down to a minimum and I had Xanax as well, but only for the really severe panic attacks that the Lexapro couldn't handle.That system worked really well and I very seldom had a really bad panic attack while on the Lexapro. I stopped taking it when I got pregnant, though. It shouldn't be dangerous for you IF your doctor prescribed it to you, but if you have any doubts, ask your doctor and/or your pharmacist. Every medicine works differently for different people, that's why there are so many different meds out there.
2007-02-12 14:09:01 · answer #6 · answered by emerald_angel_queen 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It messes up your brain chemistry in about 7-14 days. It's very dangerous. The side effects are scary.
* headache
* nausea
* dry mouth
* sweating
* sleepiness or insomnia
* diarrhea or constipation
* weight gain
* loss of libido
Most everything but the weight gain and loss of libido usually goes away within a couple of weeks. If the early side effects suck, just move on. Really, don't stick it out. Apparently Lexapro turns out to be no better than placebo with bad side effects. Not mild side effects, just really bad ones. crazymeds.org
2007-02-12 05:02:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I took a friends Lexapro as a dare, wOw that was a wierd trip...I had a four hour long convo with a friend and all I remember was telling her something about the walls being green and purple (my two fav colors) I guess its not meant to be taken if there isnt anything actually wrong with you!
2007-02-12 04:57:19 · answer #8 · answered by SN 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It works well;depending on your particular issues/ levels of anxiety or depression. I do have first hand knowledge. It took just a couple of weeks to begin a change in me, but therapeutic levels happen around six to eigth weeks. You can also get differnt strengths- 10, 15, or 20 mg tablets. Just take at night because it makes you sleepy. This can be a benefit to those who have trouble sleeping, too. Look up on webmd for more technical answers, but overall, I think it's helpful.
2007-02-12 04:56:49 · answer #9 · answered by Snarf 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lexapro is extremely dangerous. Drugs are not the answer. 99% of "mental disorders" can be treated successfuly with lifestyle changes. Lexapro increases suicidal thoughts. It also fosters depression.
2007-02-12 07:35:28 · answer #10 · answered by surfdawg32 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋