Just started Lexapro - side effects already?

Question

I just started takig Lexapro yesterday. My question is: if I were going to have a severe allergic reaction to it, wouldn't that have happened afte the first dose? I suffer from hypochondria as well anxiety and depression, and tonight I thought for sure my tongue was swelling up and my jaw was clenching up, but part of me wants to say it's just my hypochondria, chill out. Then I thought, if you were going to have a reaction like that, it would've happened yesterday too. Any thoughts?

Thanks to everyone who answered. Right now it's the next morning, and I know now that it was my anxiety/hypochondria. I felt horrible all night though, very shaky and nauseous, so I'm going to talk to my doctor today.

Answer 1

I'm not a doc, but I think you may be letting your mind wander. Lexapro is a very mild anxiety medication with very few known side effects. I know many people who take it, including myself and I have never known anyone to have any serious side effects. Some have had more energy, or less energy. But try to stay calm and let the lexapro do what it should--help you.

Answer 2

No, it would not have been with the first dose. No one is ever allergic to something the very first time they encounter it. It is the second time, after the body develops antibodies to it, that you exhibit an allergic reaction. The symptoms you describe sound like an allergic reaction, and a bad one at that. Anytime you feel as if your tongue is swelling, you can be sure the swelling is occurring in your respiratory tract, also. DO NOT take anymore until you talk to your doctor. Lexapro has caused side effects and allergic reactions in many, many people. I do not consider it a very safe drug.

Edit:
For those of you who think you have a reaction to an initial exposure to an allergen, please read the information at this website: http://www.reference.com/search?q=allergic%20reaction about acquired allergic reaction. One statement of interest is this:" When IgE is first secreted it binds to the Fc receptors on a mast cell or basophil, and such an IgE-coated cell is said to be sensitized to the allergen in question. A later exposure by the same allergen causes reactivation of these IgE, which then signals for the degranulation of the sensitized mast cell or basophil."

For those who wonder why I would recommend stopping a medication, the answer is simple: If a possible allergic reaction causes swelling of the tongue (and respiratory tract), a subsequent dose may cause death from suffocation, thereby making it foolhardy to take another dose before being assessed by a doctor. Normally, you would not stop a med before seeing a doctor, but never, ever continue a drug to which you think you are having an allergic reaction.

To the original poster: Just because the symptoms have abated does not mean it was not an actual allergic reaction. Sometimes its not just "all in your head". Good luck to you.

Answer 3

It is with the first dose that you wil experience a severe reaction (im not sure how a nurse would tell you its the second dose).. but i am allergic to pennicillin and so is my mum and sister, and we all found out the very first time we took it.. just like any other drug, it will happen the first time if your allergic to it!
Yes if you where going to have that bad reaction it would of happened yesterday, BUT ive been on lexapro and it does cause dry mouth, which may of been why you thought your tongue was swelling up, i know when i got a dry mouth, it felt like my tongue was swelling up. If your really concerned about it, go and see the doctor who prescrbed it too you, but do take your dose of it today, and if you do get any reaction to it make sure someone else is around you and can take you to a hospital/doctor straight away! Im sure though that you are fine!
Good Luck!

Answer 4

I partially disagree with the claudiacake, in that if you are allergic to something you will react the first time. However the first reaction may be mild enough to be ignored or mistaken for something else. I don't know what to tell you. You're right in thinking it may just be your hypochondria, but on the other hand allergic reactions can be very serious and the possibilty shouldn't be ignored. Best to discuss it with a doctor before taking any more doses. If you've only taken a few you shouldn't suffer any withdrawal symptoms.

Answer 5

It's your hypochondria. I've been taking lexapro for 2 years and never had any side effects! Call your phramacy if any questions to ease your mind, but you are ok!