I started taking the generic manufactured by Mylan and had severe headaches. Had to stop. Has anyone else experienced this?
Has anyone tried the generic escitalopram (Lexapro) now available?
Question posted by nvchris on 12 April 2012
Last updated on 17 April 2023
64 Answers Page 5
Tawks2me
26 April 2012
I have been on Lexapro since it came out. Was the only medicine (and I tried them all!) that alleviated my depression and the dangerous anger that accompanied it. It not only gave me a handle on my self-destructive impulses due to the reduction of my angry feelings... but, it had the added benefit of reducing my headaches, which used to be daily occurrences! Since being on the generic for a month... I am having frequent headaches, some really bad! And, my feelings of underlying anger have begun to resurface, which is dangerous for me. I also feel I am having more mood-swings. I am thinking about going back to the brand name... just want to be certain before I spend even more money monthly on meds. Any one else having these issues? Thanks!!!
nvchris
27 April 2012
I have been back on the brand name Lexapro for about 3 weeks now and feel much better. The headaches are gone. Yes. They were really bad. Felt like a sharp pain toward the front part of my brain. The pain would go away for a couple of hours after taking Tylenol or Asprin, but then come right back. It was a constant pain deep within my head. Figured the cause was do to the generic type of escitalopram. After a couple of days off the generic and back on the Lexapro, they totally went a way. Please inform your M.D. of this because the pharmaceutical companies manufacturing the generic need to be aware of a potential problem with the new generic escitalopram.
Thanks for your response.
teddibear1
29 April 2012
I switched to the generic a week and a half ago when I went to pick up my prescription. I was assured it was the exact same thing. I started wondering why I was getting so much more depressed and tired. And I got the same extremely dry eyes side effect that I had when I had been on celexa before pdoc switched me to lexapro. I am on a diuretic for bp as well, and with celexa my eyes would feel like there was shampoo in them sometimes, especially when driving and a/c was on, I could hardly stand it. But it was 90% better with lexapro and definately tolerable, and my depression and anxiety improved substantially. Now I'm depressed, anxious and I'm having the same dry eye misery. Sure hope I can get my doc to approve insurance payment of lexapro.
robertestokley
1 Aug 2016
Yea I think my generic lexapro has stopped working, so I am going to the Brand name Lexapro. Just wondering if I have to go through side effects again?
khart57
24 April 2012
I switched to the generic about two weeks ago. Ever since, I seem to keep a mild, but annoying, headache. I am going to talk to the doctor about the generic. Lexapro has made such a huge difference for me. I have a long family history of anxiety.
lexadict
13 April 2012
yes i have tried lexapro and generic brand they feel about the same I still take it now ive gained weight forget stuff a lot then sexual libido go s up and down most of the time it wont even twitch oh speaking of twitches my muscles twitched for a while now it dose it every now ant then. only part i hate is when my wife and i finally have sex my heat palpitate probably because i have slight a heart issue not bad just leaky valve but other than that it works ooh before i forget the hot flashes suck, one time it happened i would taste the medicine in my mouth and had the sensation of urinating defecating all together then there are the good days, Thank god for them.
im down to 5 mil and take it twice a day on bad day id just get sleepy and go to sleep they make u drowsy at least i can drive a little bit and i can go out side again but i still have flare ups where i have to take lorazepam to chill all the way out and not think the sky is falling and stuff, i work but no more that 20 hrs which sucks because when im tired the panic attacks come more frequent and if i do crave sex i think about screwing every thing thats moving thats when i know im in a manic state god help me! but then there are the good days
good luck
nvchris
14 April 2012
The generic lexapro escitalopram has been out for only about a month and a half now. I went through withdrawals changing from the brand name to the generic. I'm back on lexapro and feel great again. I've been on it for over 5 years and I think I will stay on it the rest of my life. I went off of it for over a year and it was just about the worst year of my life. On lex I feel normal. No depression or anxiety. This runs in my family unfortunately. However, having been a nurse and in denial that I ever needed it, I was absolutely amazed at how great it made me feel. Yes, sexual orgasms are far and few between. However, my husband would rather live with a happy rational individual rather than a bitchy sex addict. Hey, at 62 desire and affection will have to suffice. The alternative -depression is just not acceptable. Thanks for your response
Traveler8059
7 June 2013
I also have had the sexual side effects and am taking Wellbutrin to help offset that and it does help some for me but not completely but my partner and I are so much happier on it than off of it so we deal with it as best we can. Good luck to you.
Saffryn
12 April 2012
I have chronic headaches/migraines, but I did increase my medication for that around the same time the generic lexapro came out and my boost in meds (3x what I was previously taking) didn't seem to have any effect, yet it was starting to help at the lower doses and previously worked at this increased rate several years ago. I can't say for sure, but it does seem a strange coincidence. My headaches have even gotten worse. I think I'll run this idea by my psychiatrist and see about getting back on name brand to see if it helps. Maybe your doctor can do the same for you. I'm sure there will be some hoops to jump through with insurance but when you find a med that works its frustrating to play the sampling game again.
nvchris
14 April 2012
I appreciate your response. I don't have insurance so it costs me $40 more for Lexapro over the generic. Well worth the extra money. I have been on Lex for over 5 years. Changing to the generic I developed anxiety and bad headaches. Almost like withdrawal. The headaches have gone away and I am back on regular Lexapro. There is obviously a difference between these two even though the base drug escitalopram is the same. My doctor seems to think that it may have something to do with how they are processed. Since the generic has only been out for a little over a month, we will have to wait and see what others experience.
Virgolove
31 May 2012
I was on Lexapro for 2 yrs and stopped taking it because I felt wonderful!!! After about a year or so without it I changed jobs and found myself starting to have panic attacks again. My doctor prescribed "escitalopram" and it almost killed me. Sweating, heart racing, no sleep or appetite. They say there is no difference in the generics and name brands but I beg to differ. Lexapro works wonders and I can't wait to get it back.
Brnvc
7 Aug 2013
I have a serious cardiac arrhythmia and other complications. Lexapro steadied my heart rhythm and when the generic came out "No Subsitution" was a given. Generics can be a problem. I guess every cloud has a silver lining :-)
Akommers
16 Aug 2017
Saffryn do you think the SSRI caused your chronic headaches?
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lexapro, headache, escitalopram, generic
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