Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Will I Feel?When Will It Start Working?Severe Side EffectsUses of Lexapro
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Will I Feel?
When Will It Start Working?
Severe Side Effects
Uses of Lexapro
Lexapro side effects during the first week of use are typically mild at lower doses. When you start taking Lexapro (escitalopram) for depression and/or anxiety, you may experience things like nausea, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, and drowsiness.
Your body may need days to weeks to fully adjust to Lexapro.However, if side effects persist beyond four to six weeks, your healthcare provider might need to adjust your dose.
In some cases, Lexapro can also worsen depression and increase suicidal thoughts, especially in children and young adults. Speak with your healthcare provider immediately if you experience either of these side effects.
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Boxed WarningAs with all antidepressants, Lexapro has aboxed warningfor increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, teenagers, and young adults taking it formajor depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric conditions.Lexapro is not approved for use in children under 12 years of age for MDD or children younger than 7 for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Boxed Warning
As with all antidepressants, Lexapro has aboxed warningfor increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, teenagers, and young adults taking it formajor depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric conditions.Lexapro is not approved for use in children under 12 years of age for MDD or children younger than 7 for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
As with all antidepressants, Lexapro has aboxed warningfor increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, teenagers, and young adults taking it formajor depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric conditions.
Lexapro is not approved for use in children under 12 years of age for MDD or children younger than 7 for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
How Will I Feel in the First Week of Starting Lexapro?
When starting Lexapro for depression, you may experience more energy.
Side effects, especially during the first week, are common. It may take a few days to weeks for your body to get used to Lexapro.
Side effects may include:
Lexapro and other antidepressants may also worsen depression and increase suicidal thoughts, especially in children and young adults. If you have suicidal thoughts after starting Lexapro, speak with your healthcare provider right away.
Side effects usually occur with higher doses, so you may need a decreased dose if they persist. However, consult your healthcare provider first and never try to adjust your dose on your own.
Lexapro WithdrawalWithdrawal can happen when Lexapro is stopped. This can cause:Flu-like symptomsNauseaDifficulty sleepingIncreased anxietyAlways speak with your healthcare provider before stopping any medication.
Lexapro Withdrawal
Withdrawal can happen when Lexapro is stopped. This can cause:Flu-like symptomsNauseaDifficulty sleepingIncreased anxietyAlways speak with your healthcare provider before stopping any medication.
Withdrawal can happen when Lexapro is stopped. This can cause:
Always speak with your healthcare provider before stopping any medication.
How Long Will Lexapro Take to Start Working?
Lexapro and other antidepressants usually take a while before you notice any significant changes.
You may experience improvements in sleep, energy, and appetite within the first one to two weeks.On average, it takes about four to six weeks to feel the full effects of Lexapro.
While Lexapro is generally a well-tolerated medication, some serious side effects can occur.Serotonin syndromeis a rare but potentially life-threatening syndrome that can happen when you have too much serotonin. This usually occurs within 24 hours of having your Lexapro dose increased or if you are given another medication that increases serotonin.
The following are common signs of serotonin syndrome:
You should seek immediate medical help if you suddenly experience these symptoms.
Lexapro may also increase your risk of bleeding and bruising, especially if you are taking a blood thinner likeJantoven (warfarin)ornonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)like Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen sodium).
You should not take Lexapro if you have ever experienced an allergic reaction when taking escitalopram, the active ingredient of Lexapro. Anallergic reactionmight cause difficulty breathing, a rash, or swelling of the face, tongue, eyes, or mouth.
Another serious side effect is increased suicidal thoughts in children and young adults. This is usually within the first few weeks of starting Lexapro or after a dose change.Lexapro should not be used in children under 12. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any sudden mood changes.
Help Is AvailableIf you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Help Is Available
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Lexapro also has some off-label uses and may be prescribed to treatobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)andpanic disorder (PD).
Summary
Lexapro is an antidepressant SSRI used to treat depression and anxiety disorder.
Side effects are common, especially in the first few weeks of starting Lexapro. However, as your body adjusts to the medication, side effects like dry mouth, decreased appetite, and nausea, among others, should resolve.
Severe side effects you may experience while taking Lexapro are serotonin syndrome and an increase in suicidal thoughts. You should seek immediately medical care if you notice signs of either.
Lexapro may help improve your sleep, appetite, and energy levels within the first two weeks. However, it usually takes four to six weeks to experience the full benefits of Lexapro. It is important to continue taking your medication as directed unless your healthcare provider tells you to stop.
The author would like to recognize and thank Cody Ryan Thomas for contributing to this article.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NHS.Common questions about escitalopram.Food and Drug Administration.Lexapro label.Polychroniou PE, Mayberg HS, Craighead WE, et al.Temporal profiles and dose-responsiveness of side effects with escitalopram and duloxetine in treatment-naïve depressed adults.Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8(7):64. doi:10.3390/bs8070064National Alliance on Mental Illness.Escitalopram (Lexapro).Mikkelsen N, Damkier P, Pedersen SA.Serotonin syndrome-A focused review.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023;133(2):124-129. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13912Slifirski G, Król M, Turlo J.5-HT receptors and the development of new antidepressants.Int J Mol Sci.2021;22(16):9015. doi: 10.3390/ijms22169015.Del Casale A, Sorice S, Padovano A, et al.Psychopharmacological treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Curr Neuropharmacol. 2019;17(8):710-736. doi:10.2174/1570159X16666180813155017Chawla N, Anothaisintawee T, Charoenrungrueangchai K, et al.Drug treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.BMJ. 2022;376:e066084. doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-066084
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NHS.Common questions about escitalopram.Food and Drug Administration.Lexapro label.Polychroniou PE, Mayberg HS, Craighead WE, et al.Temporal profiles and dose-responsiveness of side effects with escitalopram and duloxetine in treatment-naïve depressed adults.Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8(7):64. doi:10.3390/bs8070064National Alliance on Mental Illness.Escitalopram (Lexapro).Mikkelsen N, Damkier P, Pedersen SA.Serotonin syndrome-A focused review.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023;133(2):124-129. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13912Slifirski G, Król M, Turlo J.5-HT receptors and the development of new antidepressants.Int J Mol Sci.2021;22(16):9015. doi: 10.3390/ijms22169015.Del Casale A, Sorice S, Padovano A, et al.Psychopharmacological treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Curr Neuropharmacol. 2019;17(8):710-736. doi:10.2174/1570159X16666180813155017Chawla N, Anothaisintawee T, Charoenrungrueangchai K, et al.Drug treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.BMJ. 2022;376:e066084. doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-066084
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
NHS.Common questions about escitalopram.Food and Drug Administration.Lexapro label.Polychroniou PE, Mayberg HS, Craighead WE, et al.Temporal profiles and dose-responsiveness of side effects with escitalopram and duloxetine in treatment-naïve depressed adults.Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8(7):64. doi:10.3390/bs8070064National Alliance on Mental Illness.Escitalopram (Lexapro).Mikkelsen N, Damkier P, Pedersen SA.Serotonin syndrome-A focused review.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023;133(2):124-129. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13912Slifirski G, Król M, Turlo J.5-HT receptors and the development of new antidepressants.Int J Mol Sci.2021;22(16):9015. doi: 10.3390/ijms22169015.Del Casale A, Sorice S, Padovano A, et al.Psychopharmacological treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Curr Neuropharmacol. 2019;17(8):710-736. doi:10.2174/1570159X16666180813155017Chawla N, Anothaisintawee T, Charoenrungrueangchai K, et al.Drug treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.BMJ. 2022;376:e066084. doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-066084
NHS.Common questions about escitalopram.
Food and Drug Administration.Lexapro label.
Polychroniou PE, Mayberg HS, Craighead WE, et al.Temporal profiles and dose-responsiveness of side effects with escitalopram and duloxetine in treatment-naïve depressed adults.Behav Sci (Basel). 2018;8(7):64. doi:10.3390/bs8070064
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Escitalopram (Lexapro).
Mikkelsen N, Damkier P, Pedersen SA.Serotonin syndrome-A focused review.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023;133(2):124-129. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13912
Slifirski G, Król M, Turlo J.5-HT receptors and the development of new antidepressants.Int J Mol Sci.2021;22(16):9015. doi: 10.3390/ijms22169015.
Del Casale A, Sorice S, Padovano A, et al.Psychopharmacological treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Curr Neuropharmacol. 2019;17(8):710-736. doi:10.2174/1570159X16666180813155017
Chawla N, Anothaisintawee T, Charoenrungrueangchai K, et al.Drug treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.BMJ. 2022;376:e066084. doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-066084
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