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Escitalopram side effects

Across 135 first-hand reports, people mentioned a side effect 28 times (about 21 per 100 reports). The most common: emotional blunting, withdrawal, fatigue. User reports show what people notice — they can't tell you whether Escitalopram is safe for you.

Reported side effects

emotional blunting7
withdrawal6
fatigue4
sexual dysfunction4
brain fog3
weight gain2
insomnia1
stomach issues1

What got worse for some people

In their own words

“Escitalopram is what makes me feel normal, i react to it very quickly too, but it seems to induce hypomania on first days of intake. Brings me back confidence, ambition, motivation, energy, relieves anxiety, kicks depression.”
HelpedRead the discussion ↗
“I was on it for 7 months and improved my mood and lowered my anxiety. But it also made me apathetic/unmotivated, caused emotional blunting and sexual dysfunction.”
MixedRead the discussion ↗
“I've had a positive outcome, have no more anxiety, and these personality changes are welcomed.”
HelpedRead the discussion ↗
“doctors prescribe stuff like cymbalta/lexapro (both of which I have been on and had bad side effects and even worse withdrawal symptoms)”
Didn't helpRead the discussion ↗
“I love my Wellbutrin. Hated Lexapro. It was indeed hard to quit for good. I tapered down for months.”
MixedRead the discussion ↗
“Lexapro(I think) can have nasty withdrawal effects that feel like electric shocks going through your body.”
MixedRead the discussion ↗

Is Escitalopram safe? What the research covers

AResearch: Strong219 meta-analyses · 659 randomized trials on PubMed
Mol Psychiatry · 2023
Antidepressants for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder in the maintenance phase: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Conclusion: Compared to placebo, venlafaxine was associated with a lower incidence of dizziness, while desvenlafaxine, sertraline, and vortioxetine were associated with a higher incidence of nausea/vomiting. In conclusion, desvenlafaxine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and vortioxetine had reasonable efficacy, acceptability, and tolerability in the treatment of adults with stable MDD.

Escitalopram side effects: what 135 users report — PlainPill