First time asker... started taking 5 mgs of escitalopram on Monday. Felt OK the first few days, but last night was, well, brutal. Migraine, nauseous, heart pounding out of my chest, irrational anxiety. So tired I could not get out of bed and go to work. Help... when will the side effects subside. I know it take weeks for the meds to kick in, but will I feel this awful until then... please say no? Thanks!
Escitalopram - how long for side effects to subside?
Question posted by ScaredGirl76 on 25 Jan 2018
Last updated on 2 September 2019
4 Answers
Sunshine girl 50
16 May 2019
Started this medication on April 1st approx 6 was ago. Started on 5 mg and after 5 days started to have side effects really bad anxiety and lost my appetite felt nauseous all day till about 6 pm could eat a little after that. Dr. Prescribed Xanax to help with side effects and they did help made life bearable. I’m now up to 20 mg over the last week and still suffer side effects but not as bad thankfully. My Dr said keep going for another few weeks and medication will work so I’m hoping by end of month I’ll be feeling a lot better mentally and physically. It’s been a horrible 6 weeks.
Gigiannasama
2 Sep 2019
I'm on my 1st day of week 4 of 10mgs generic Lexapro. Still have heightened anxiety and mornings are the worst. My dr prescribed .25 mg xanax but says no more than 2 per week. I feel like I need more than that to get through the rough spots. Are you still on Lexapro and how's it working for you if so?
Elmtree
6 Dec 2018
Started out with insomnia. Given zopiclone for sleep. Now on cipralex for anxiety. Started 5mg for 7 days. Now 10mg on days 8 and 9. Still feeling dizzy, jittery, fatigued, sometimes nausea. Appetite is gone. Everyone telling me it will subside. Need some words of encouragement.
Steph041808
27 Jan 2018
I’m going through the same thing with the same medicine. I took 10mg for two days and has the worst anxiety and depression I’ve ever felt. I didn’t sleep for 4 days besides an hour here and there and woke up with huge anxiety and pouring sweat. My doc had me stop the medicine. I still feel really bad (took the last dose 2 days ago) but I’ve gotten advise on here that it will get better everyday. :) hang in there.
ScaredGirl76
27 Jan 2018
I hear yah! My doc just told me to stop it as well. She’s going to try something else... hopefully with less side effects. I’m desperate for relief... I barely eat and sleep at the moment. Been the hardest time in my life. Would be nice to wake up and not be a sweaty mess and a bundle of nerves with my heart pounding out of my chest.
Steph041808
27 Jan 2018
It is terrible. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I haven’t stopped crying for 3 days. Never been depressed but I’d imagine this is what it feels like. The first two days were insane. I lost touch with reality for a while which my therapist explained is called derealization and is very common in high anxiety situations but it was the scariest thing I’ve ever felt. Feel like I’m one second away from an ER visit at all times.
ScaredGirl76
27 Jan 2018
I completely understand. Couldn’t even go to work one day, my head was throbbing and I could barely lift my head from the nausea. No way I can keep on like this, so doc said to take a pass and we will try a SNRI instead. Fingers crossed!
Steph041808
27 Jan 2018
Good luck! I have an appt Tuesday and I think he’s going to try to switch me to Prozac which is another SSRI. Not sure how well that will go. I definitely have a list of questions for him. Scary to take more meds when I just went through this from just 2 doses. Update on how you’re doing when you start your new meds or if you’re not feeling well and want to chat! It’s helping me a lot!
ScaredGirl76
28 Jan 2018
Absolutely! You, too. I keep saying to myself, this too shall pass. Good luck on Tuesday.
Steph041808
28 Jan 2018
Thank you! Can I ask what you started taking it for? Just curious if we’re in the same boat.
ScaredGirl76
28 Jan 2018
Anxiety... near panic attacks. Not depression, just me catastrophizing everything. Head never shuts off... overthink everything.
Steph041808
28 Jan 2018
Me too! I’ve always had mild anxiety but it’s gotten worse lately and needed help with it. Never had depression though until this damn medicine. Have you taken any other meds before?
ScaredGirl76
28 Jan 2018
About 20 years ago I took Paxil for depression. It worked very well, but haven’t been on anything for years. I had a health scare recently and it sent me into a panic attack. Haven’t been able to dig myself out.
Steph041808
28 Jan 2018
Wonder why they didn’t try that again since it worked! I’ve heard Paxil works great for anxiety as well.
ScaredGirl76
28 Jan 2018
Good question! It’s hard to get off of though... takes a long time. Worth it. I’m just hoping the one the doc is giving me now works... and quickly.
Steph041808
28 Jan 2018
Yes quickly sounds nice. All of these meds take so long so know if they’re going to work. So frustrating!
ScaredGirl76
28 Jan 2018
Have you tried Ativan? She gave me some of those as well. Brings a quick calm when I’m at my worst. May be worth asking?
lovemrmewey
5 April 2018
I have been taking Escitalopram for years and have a funny side effect. When it is time for my next dose, I get very swimmy-headed. This side effect goes on for weeks and then will subside for a long while, then back again. I believe this starts when I am a few hours past my 24-hour routine. I take 20 mgs and have resigned myself to taking it for the foreseeable future. The wooziness goes away within the hour of taking the prescribed dose. Does anyone else feel differently when time for next dose approaches?
TManny
15 April 2018
Prescribed by my PC. First evening I had an adverse reaction with a 10 mg Escitalopram tab and went to ER. No other physical or heart problems were found and ER doctor said to continue taking the drug as the side effects would pass with time. Two days later I got the courage to try again but this time I took half a tab (5 mg) hoping to start slowly without the side effects and build up gradually. Same result without ER. Fear even terror, exhaustion, anxiety off the charts, begging for relief. Guess Escitalopram is not the right medication for me.
WildcatVet
25 Jan 2018
Hi, ScaredGirl! Okay, I will say no. Your doctor started you on a very low initial dose and generally side effects only last a few days to a week or two... and you will feel them less and less every day.
From the literature:
"Some side effects of escitalopram may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. "
"Side effects have been reported to be generally mild and transient. They are most common during the first 2 weeks of treatment and decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment. They generally do not lead to treatment cessation."
If they prove too much to handle let your doctor know, but you'll probably be feeling better in just a few days.
WildcatVet
25 Jan 2018
P.S. What you're describing are "normal" side effects... or at least not unusual when starting therapy.
ScaredGirl76
25 Jan 2018
Thank you, WildcatVet, for your time and comments. It certainly doesn't feel good at the moment, especially for such a low dose. Ugh. Not sure another morning like today is going to go down too well. I'm supposed to start taking 10 mgs after six days... I think my doc is easing me into it? Do you think I will experience a whole new set of side effects at 10 mgs? Again, please say no! Lol
Related topics
migraine, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, escitalopram, side effect, heart
Further information
- Escitalopram uses and safety info
- Escitalopram prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Escitalopram (detailed)
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