Escitalopram for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)
Brand names: Lexapro
Escitalopram has an average rating of 6.5 out of 10 from a total of 57 reviews for the off-label treatment of Bipolar Disorder. 53% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 30% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Escitalopram
- Amby
- May 18, 2016
"My experience with lexapro has been a very rocky one, to say the least. The beginning symptoms for me were terrible, extreme nausea and vomiting, restless leg syndrome, jaw clenching, and vivid nightmares. After the first day, the nausea and vomiting was gone, and after two weeks my symptoms were manageable. I felt like this medication really helped me with my depression in some ways. I was much more motivated, more sociable, and it helped my anger issues. However, I decided after six months I would like to stop to see if my depression was better. Bad choice. I hurt all over my body so bad, I felt like I was coming down with the flu. I was so dizzy and disoriented I couldn't even function in my daily life. It was a nightmare."
- Anonymous
- September 30, 2010
Lexapro (escitalopram) "I have been on Lexapro for almost two weeks now, my depression has gotten better but unfortunately it causes me to have problems in bed. I am male 26 years old, my libido is the same, for some reason shortly after starting this medication I cannot climax sexually. Paxil was similar but I could still finish. I am planning on getting off this medication as fast as I can."
Frequently asked questions
- SSRIs vs SNRIs - What's the difference between them?
- Why does Lexapro cause weight gain?
- When is the best time to take Lexapro?
- How long does it take for Lexapro to work?
- coopa...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 21, 2015
"I just started taking lexapro, well the generic brand escitalopram. This is the first dose I have taken tonight with my lamictal and ambien and Neurontin. I have been feeling extreme anxiety, nervousness, depression, basically I am completely overwhelmed because of stuff going on in my life right now. I've been having a lot of nauseous, dizzy, racing thoughts, shaking, and headaches. I can't feel a difference yet, but it is my first dose. I have not had an appetite for days now and was hoping this would at least help with the nausea and kind of sick feeling cause I'm feeling quite weak. It's even hard for me to get up stairs, I can get up them, but feel like I have been working out. I hope it will be better soon :-)"
- James...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- July 18, 2022
"I have managed manic depression (now called bipolar disorder) for 25 years with diet, exercise, yoga, meditation blah, blah... but when menopause kicked in my situation became steadily worse. For the last 6 years I was gradually getting more and more unstable and then my daughter sent me a link for a podcast talking about menopause. Suddenly everything made sense. The top and bottom of it is that with a small dose of HRT and 10mg of Escitalopram, I have myself back for the first time in 25 years. My husband has is wife back and my twin girls have their fun mum back. I have a lot to be grateful for!"
Are you taking this medicine?
- Ogre
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 25, 2018
"I don't rapid cycle, really. I have been on lithium for 7 years and it has done wonders for my mania and insomnia issues. I do go through short bouts of depression, but not something I can't power through. However I was hit with a very long lasting depression that severely hampered my work attendance and aspects of my family life. My Psychiatrist put me on Lexapro and it did wonders for me. However, it really cut into my lithiums ability to control my insomnia and mania. I was really only getting 1 to 2 hours a day sleep, if that. Doc had me halve my dose and it helped a lot. After a few months I left the lexipro and feel pretty good. I can see that this is not for all. We all have different needs that is why there are different meds. Hopefully, everyone can find their balance."
- Anonymous
- April 10, 2009
Lexapro (escitalopram) "I used Lexapro for a short time because after about a week, I found that I lost all sensation of touch. I could stick my hand under hot running water and I couldn't tell you just by touch its general temperature. Obviously, the rising steam gave a clue. But I immediately requested to be taken off of it. When I told my doctor, she thought I was lying. Wish I could have tried it longer but I prefer not being physically numb."
More FAQ
- Does Lexapro cause night sweats?
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- On Nexito plus for 3 months, stopped 2 days ago, can't sleep. Why?
- What are some common side effects of antidepressants?
- Magno...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- May 24, 2022
"Bipolar 2: Lexapro 20mg combined with Lamotrigine and an AP are helping me tremendously. Lexapro lifts the depression and eases my anxiety. Can't go any higher than 20mg though. I found Lexapro to be an easy SSRI to start so long as I had anxiety meds to keep me calm."
- Tech
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- January 31, 2022
"This has been an huge transformation for me and my family. I was always irritated and would lash out at my family, to the point they were sometimes afraid. My wife finally had enough. I made a doctor appointment and he agreed I wasn’t depressed but that he could probably help me with what I’m dealing with. Let me tell you, two weeks on 10mg and it was a whole new world. I was calm and hardly irritated, and 2am insomnia is almost gone. For twenty years my family had to put up with me and I thought that’s just the way I am! What a waste! Not that I was intolerable but….. As for side effects: more lethargic but not at all crippling; less libido but that ok for now as my wife doesn’t want much to do with me (hopefully that will change). I adjusted when I take the pill so I’m not so tired in the morning and at work."
- koller
- September 11, 2009
Lexapro (escitalopram) "I've been on lexapro for 1 year now and to be honest as a pill to fill the gap for my anxiety it really doesn't work. I intend to tell the doctor on my next visit; there must be another drug that works better."
- GGR_1
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 27, 2023
"Took 5mg/day for about 2 months and it really worked well for my mood! Side effects unfortunately didn’t go away. I had constant headaches every day which didn’t even respond fully to paracetamol and this medication made me sluggish and drowsy (which is already an issue with depression!). I also noticed it increased my appetite, sex drive, and distractibility. I am bipolar II and also take lamotrigine 200mg/day which also lifts my mood and is good at stopping hypomania but I needed an extra kick for the winter blues and fatigue/overeating/binge drinking which this unfortunately didn’t give me. I also think the escitalopram gave me some dizziness and constipation although it’s possible that this interacted with the lamotrigine to cause hyponatremia which is a known side effect to look out for! Good luck to everyone out there and I hope this helps!!"
- 1018p...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 29, 2021
"I had this medication prescribed for me for more than one reason, such as bipolar, depression, anxiety and other anxiety disorders. Honestly I'm sure this works for some people but for me it knocked me out (put me to sleep) for 16-20 hours a day. I almost failed my semester. I was on the lowest dosage they allow in Canada."
- WildR...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 22, 2021
"This has so far changed my life. I took 10 mg and felt a great difference in Bipolar anxiety and depression. I was anxious to take it since I don’t always react well to meds but so far no bad side affects. Helped with hyper sexuality too which is so relieving. I am no longer fighting that. However, I just upped my dose to 15 mg as some anxiety did return after a few weeks."
- Hattie...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 23, 2022
"Nightmare horror for Bipolar 1 depression / GAD. Took 10 mg generic escitalopram and within 24 hours was shaking, nauseous, racing thoughts, panic attacks. Felt much worse than before starting med, which was a 1.5 month stay in bed depression episode. Dr told me to stick with med for 2 weeks, could only stay on it for 5 days as it became intolerable. Like I was stuck in the pangs of right before a panic attack starts, trigged to tears at any moment, difficult to communicate, waking up multiple times a night with my jaw clenched, feeling stuck and MAJOR chest palpitations. Back on abilify which worked wonders before."
- Jon...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- February 14, 2014
"Have been on escitalopram for 4 years and it's saved me from anxiety and depression, take 15 mg and in the summer come down to 10 mg this medicine is one of the best on the market."
- Anony...
- January 28, 2009
Lexapro (escitalopram) "Very helpful to me. It made me stop the rage outburst of anger and depressive outbreaks and crying spells and controls my eating habits. Now I eat healthy and eat to live not what's eating me."
- freed...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 27, 2013
Lexapro (escitalopram) "Caused mania, but otherwise no other symptoms. Did help with depression, but had to stop taking it."
- Blood...
- March 30, 2012
"I'm diagnosed with Bipolar II. So far I am on it for 9 days and I'm starting to feel somewhat hypomanic (10mg). Helped me a lot with anxiety."
- Aussi...
- April 8, 2009
Lexapro (escitalopram) "My son's father suffered for years with bi-polar, he now takes lexapro and has held down a real job for over a month now. This medication has been so great for him and for the family members."
- Young...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 4, 2020
"Made my mood cycle and got sick so often that I got vocal paralysis in one of my vocal cords due to nerve damage. Please don’t take SSRIS or SNRIS if you’re bipolar."
- miss...
- January 27, 2009
Lexapro (escitalopram) "When I was on Lexapro I felt really good and could handle things a lot better. My moods swings were a lot better."
- Vignoli
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- July 8, 2015
"Lexapro was very effective in reducing obcessive thoughts, but my manias and depression are still there, almost no improvement."
- chucl...
- December 15, 2008
Lexapro (escitalopram) "It was great as soon as I took it I felt a huge difference. Now I can function in everyday life."
- h3ll0
- July 6, 2009
Lexapro (escitalopram) "I've had migraines my whole life and the week after I took this medication they stopped immediately. I used to get them 2-3 times a week, now never. "
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 25, 2017
"Caused sever insomnia and restlessness "
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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"I took this medication escitalopram for 2 days. The first day was fine, I began to over analyze everything, which how I was before without medication in general. I started Lamotragine 6 months prior which helped. The second day, I went into a mania and I was unable to make out sentences for a few hours and my heart rate went up to 121 bpm, basically a panic attack that I have no experienced since 2 years ago. Just not for me"