Common Lexapro Side Effects First Week Of Dosage
Patients may experience some side effects after taking Lexapro that are similar to most adverse effects associated with other antidepressants and SSRIs. However, note that the adverse effects experienced by two people taking Lexapro may differ, as the drug may interact differently with their brain and body. Many Lexapro side effects from the first week or two of treatment go away on their own as the treatment continues.
Restarting Lexapro After Stopping
If you develop Lexapro withdrawal after stopping your medication or tapering down too quickly, your doctor may recommend restarting it. After restarting, any severe symptoms you may have experienced will typically resolve in less than three days. However, its also common for symptoms to resolve in less than 24 hours after restarting Lexapro. Your doctor might recommend restarting at your original dose and tapering down more slowly to avoid any unwanted symptoms in the future.
How Long Do Lexapro Side Effects Last
Lexapro side effects are usually temporary. Many, such as dry mouth, headache, and nausea, go away within a couple weeks as the body adjusts to Lexapro. Unfortunately, severe side effects may persist longer. Serotonin syndrome typically resolves within two to three days of discontinuing all medications affecting serotonin, but the most severe cases may take several weeks before symptoms fade. Lexapros effects on sodium levels will resolve about two weeks after the medicine is discontinued. Treatment usually involves taking a diuretic and limiting water intake, but severe low sodium levels may require hospitalization. Some of the most severe side effects, such as angle-closure glaucoma, may evolve into chronic and lifetime conditions.
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Lexapro Withdrawal And Detox
Some patients who take Lexapro and feel better may assume that they no longer need the medicine, so they stop taking it. Stopping Lexapro suddenly is unwise because the medication has an important relationship with serotonin. This neurotransmitter is found on blood platelets and in the central nervous system, and it is linked to depression. As a result, when medications like Lexapro that affect serotonin levels in the brain are suddenly stopped, you may experience very serious emotional and physical symptoms.
Serious Side Effects Of Lexapro
In most cases, Lexapros side effects in the first week are mild. However, there are cases in which more serious adverse effects are observed.
Lexapro treatments can potentially cause panic attacks. In addition, patients with a mental health history of bipolar disorder or mania have a higher risk of entering hypomania or a manic episode due to taking Lexapro. The drug may also cause hyponatremia or low blood sodium levels and angle-closure glaucoma, leading to blindness in only a few hours.
Patients who exhibit this adverse effect are often elderly or geriatric. Due to their age, such conditions can have much more severe health consequences. In addition, they are also at risk of experiencing liver problems due to Lexapro.
Below are other severe side effects to watch for when taking Lexapro:
Suicidal Thoughts or Actions: Taking Lexapro may increase a patients suicidal thoughts, leading to a higher risk of suicidal actions. This particular side effect is more likely among children, adolescents, and young adults. This is partly why Lexapro dosage and indications for children and teens are still limited.
The increase in suicidal thoughts and actions typically happens within the first couple of months of Lexapro treatment rather than within the first week. The risk also goes up when patients increase their prescribed dosage. Some symptoms of greater suicidal risk are:
Upon recognizing these signs, patients are advised to call for help and seek immediate medical attention.
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The Most Common Lexapro Side Effects First Week Of Dosage May Include:
- Weight change or weight loss
- Agitation or abnormal increase in muscle movement
Lexapro side effects during the first week of treatment are generally mild they typically subside without further medical help. However, you should report to a medical professional if the adverse effects persist beyond the first couple of weeks.
Q: Will I Gain Weight On Lexapro
A: As it turns out, yes, it is fairly typical for patients to gain weight. Dysregulation of serotonin is associated with cravings for carb-rich foods such as bread, pasta, sugary treats, and junk food. Weight loss is also associated with antidepressants. There may be other chemical changes incurred that affect metabolism and other functions, but these are not well understood.17,31
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How Long Does Serotonin Syndrome Last
How long serotonin syndrome lasts is dependent on how high serotonin levels are in the body.
In cases where serotonin syndrome is only present in a mild form, symptoms may be alleviated within 24 hours of discontinuing the medication causing the uptake in serotonin. However, some antidepressants can cause symptoms to last longer as serotonin levels may take weeks to return to normal.
Lexapro Withdrawal Timeline And Symptom Durations
The length of Lexapro withdrawal symptoms depends on several factors, including how long someone has taken the medication and at what dosage. Quitting cold turkey rather than tapering off Lexapro can also make symptoms last longer. Therefore, there is not an exact timeline to predict how long Lexapro withdrawal symptoms will last. Many people, however, notice the most severe symptoms tend to increase after 90 days or three months. Some people have even reported taking months or even over a year to fully recover.
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Common Lexapro Side Effects
Most antidepressants cause some type of adverse effects, with four in five people taking these types of drugs reporting at least one side effect, but often more. Your doctor may still prescribe this medication if they feel that the benefits outweigh the risks.
The following is a comprehensive list of the common side effects you may experience while taking Lexapro:
- Trouble urinating
- Slowed growth rate and weight changes
It is important to know that these side effects may appear within the first two weeks of taking the medicine and subside as your body adjusts to it.
Additionally, if your Lexapro dosage is increased at a later date, side effects that went away prior to the increase are unlikely to reoccur.
Does Lexapro Damage The Brain
The most concerning aspect of extended treatment with Lexapro and other SSRIs is that it may actually worsen depression in the long run, defeating the purpose of treatment entirely. Viewing depression as a brain disease compounds the issue in many ways. There can be many reasons for dysregulated mood, which highlights the importance of finding the correct cause or causes 8
If one were sprayed in the eye with vinegar, putting on sunglasses, or worse, taking a pill that disables the tear ducts, is not going to fix it.
Studies comparing the short and long-term use of SSRIs over time could not produce any evidence to support using SSRIs over an extended period. A massive review of clinical trials showed that long-term SSRI use actually produced harm to chronically depressed patients. Neuroadaptation of the CNS after drug treatment can affect not only the brain but the entire network of neurons that support human health. Increased incidence of dementia, a doubling of the risk of suicidality and violence in healthy adults, and much other evidence of damage documented in published medical literature around the world.4,34,35
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How To Stop Taking Lexapro
If you want to stop taking Lexapro, always be sure to contact your health care provider or an antidepressant rehabilitation center. They can recommend a plan that helps minimize the risks of Lexapro withdrawal. This plan usually involves gradually decreasing your dose over the course of several days or weeks until you can safely discontinue Lexapro.
Expect The Unexpected With Antidepressants
Antidepressants can provide significant relief from depression symptoms, but many people are surprised by some of their side effects.
What I tell my patients is about half the people I start on these medications have side effects, said psychiatrist Samar McCutcheon, MD, an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at the Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
Its nearly impossible to predict which side effects might trouble which people, so it’s important to keep communication open with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have while taking antidepressants. Read on to learn a few scary antidepressant facts, along with coping strategies.
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What Are The Physical Symptoms Of Lexapro Withdrawal
There are a wide variety of potential physical symptoms you or your loved one may experience during Lexapro withdrawal, some of which can be quite serious. Possible effects include:
- Appetite changes .
- Dizziness, fatigue, or confusion.
- Weight changes .
- Frequent urination.
- Altered perception of certain senses, such as smell or taste.
Several factors can influence how severe withdrawal symptoms are. These factors include how long you or your loved one has been taking Lexapro, how high the dosage is, and other factors related to your unique individual physiology.
In short, the longer you take the drug, the harder it will be to come off of it. Similarly, the higher the dosage, the harder the withdrawal process will be. There is no set timeline for how long you can expect withdrawal symptoms to last. Many people will see an improvement in symptoms after about three monthswhich can seem like an eternity if you are struggling with these symptoms on your own. Its always good to have a medical professional behind you to help gently taper off Lexapro.
Which Medications Cause Serotonin Syndrome
Drugs and supplements that if taken together or in high doses could lead to serotonin syndrome include:
-
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors : antidepressants such as , fluoxetine , paroxetine and
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Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors , antidepressants such as trazodone, duloxetine and
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Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline
-
Anti-migraine medications
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Pain medications: opioid medications including codeine , fentanyl , hydrocodone meperidine , oxycodone and tramadol .
-
Herbal supplements: St. Johnâs wort, ginseng, and nutmeg
-
Cannabinoids may also influence serotonin
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When To Call Your Doctor
While most Lexapro side effects usually do not require medical intervention, you should report them to your healthcare provider if they continue for longer than one week or if they interfere with your daily routine. Your doctor may decide to adjust your dosage or switch you to another medication entirely.
Also, while there are several fairly common side effects associated with escitalopram, you may find that you experience other less common side effects as well. If you do, alert your doctor. You should never stop or change the dosage of your medication on your own.
Prevention Of Serotonin Syndrome
Report your full medical history and medication list to your clinician, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, herbals, supplements and illicit substances, along with doses. Update frequently with any changes.
Use a pill box to keep track of your medications and help prevent the chances of accidental overdose.
Overall, itâs important to stay informed about your medications. Knowing what you are taking, the active ingredients, possible side effects, and medications that should not be mixed are important in avoiding serotonin syndrome. Pay close attention to the instructions of your medications to ensure you are taking them at correct intervals.
If you have questions about your medications, reach out to your doctor to double check that you are not mixing medications that could result in serotonin syndrome.
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What Should I Avoid While Taking Lexapro
Avoid drinking alcohol or taking any illegal drugs while taking Lexapro. Both alcohol and other drugs can increase the side effects of Lexapro and may be dangerous.
You may experience strong fatigue while taking Lexapro. Dont drive, operate heavy machinery, or engage in dangerous activity while taking the medicine.
Lexapro Side Effects During First Week: What To Expect
If a healthcare provider suggests you take an antidepressant like Lexapro, its natural to have some questions.
You want to be sure this is the right medication for you, based on your diagnosis and lifestyle.
You may also wonder what you should expect to experience from both short- and long-term use of the prescription medication.
Always ask your doctor about any treatment they recommend.
For extra help, this article will address what to expect the first week of taking Lexapro.
Well first cover what Lexapro is, what its used for, and how it works.
Then well discuss the most common side effects of Lexapro, particularly in the first week of use.
Lastly, well dive into typical dosages, what to do if you experience an overdose, and precautions when taking Lexapro.
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Warning Disclaimer Use For Publication
WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.
DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.
If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.
Lexapro Side Effects On Men
Sexual dysfunction is one of the common Lexapro side effects in the first week. This typically manifests by way of . Unfortunately, such symptoms and adverse effects often persist as long as the patient takes Lexapro.
Patients are advised to consult a healthcare professional regarding such side effects. The doctor may adjust the dosage or change the prescription in cases with significant adverse effects.
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Other Serious Side Effects
Lexapro can also cause other serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or local emergency services if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency.
Severe allergic reactions
You should not take Lexapro if youre allergic to it, its ingredients, or the antidepressant Celexa. Symptoms can include:
- breathing trouble
- swelling of your face, tongue, eyes, or mouth
- severe rash, hives , or blisters that may come on with fever or joint pain
Seizures or convulsions
There have been reports of some people having seizures while taking Lexapro. People with a history of seizures are at higher risk.
Serotonin syndrome
This is a serious condition. It happens when the levels of serotonin in your body get too high. Its more likely to occur if you also take other drugs that increase serotonin, such as other antidepressants or lithium. Symptoms can include:
- talking quickly or more than normal
Vision problems
Lexapro may dilate your pupils. This may trigger a glaucoma attack, even if you dont have a history of eye problems. Symptoms can include:
- swelling or redness in or around your eye
What Causes Serotonin Syndrome
Risk of serotonin syndrome most often occurs when you combine two serotonin-related medications, though, in some cases, taking one drug that increases serotonin levels may induce the condition in some individuals.
For example, serotonin syndrome could occur if you combine an antidepressant medication with an opioid medication.
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How K Health Can Help
Think you might need a prescription for Lexapro ?
K Health has clinicians standing by 24/7 to evaluate your symptoms and determine if Lexapro is right for you.
Get started with our free assessment, which will tell you in minutes if treatment could be a good fit. If yes, well connect you right to a clinician who can prescribe medication and have it shipped right to your door.
Side Effects As Predictors Of Response
Although there are no systematic studies to our knowledge that address specific treatment-emergent adverse effects as predictors of response, we are aware that optimistic colleagues sometimes look for certain early side effects, such as activation or insomnia, as favorable prognosticators. Emerging biomarkers, such as quantitative electroencephalography11 or neuroimaging,12 alone or in conjunction with clinical features at. baseline and during treatment, represent, an important area of current research. Nevertheless, while the presence of particular side effects has no known prognostic significance, when patients have no side effects and minimal response despite full doses of an antidepressant, it is reasonable to rc-cvaluate medication adherence as well as to consider the possibility of drug-drug interactions and genetic polymorphism that might call for higher doses to achieve an optimal outcome.
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How Do You Know If You Have Serotonin Syndrome
If you start taking a serotonin-related medication, increase your dosage, or begin another in combination with one you are already taking and too much serotonin accumulates, you will feel the effects within several hours. The majority of cases occur within 24 hours and some within six hours of initiation of medication or change in dose.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and depend on the level of serotonin in your body. At best, the signs and symptoms of serotonin are unpleasant at worst, they can be extremely worrying and require intensive medical treatment.
Serious Lexapro Side Effects
If you experience any of the following side effects, contact your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency medical care.
- Bleeding or bruising
- Manic episode: Greatly increased energy, trouble sleeping, racing thoughts, reckless behavior like excessive gambling or shopping, inflated sense of self, rapid speech, or feeling extremely happy or irritable
- Serotonin syndrome: Agitation, hallucinations, confusion, coma, coordination or balance problems, muscle twitching, racing heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, sweating, fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Severe allergic reaction: Rash, difficulty breathing, fever, joint pain, or swelling of the mouth, lips, eyes, or tongue
- Other serious side effects: Seizures, change in appetite or weight, low blood sodium levels, teeth grinding, and angle-closure glaucoma
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
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