Does 5mg Lexapro do anything (A Guide)
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In this brief guide, we are going to discuss if 5 mg Lexapro does anything, as well as some other features and reviews of the drug.
Does 5mg Lexapro do anything?
Yes, 5mg Lexapro is prescribed for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and other anxiety disorders, and it is usually quite effective in reducing the symptoms of these disorders.
5mg Lexapro belongs to a class of drugs known as Anti-Anxiolytics, which are used to treat anxiety, along with psychotherapy.
Some side effects of Lexapro 5 mg include sleep problems, nausea, blurred vision, flu-like symptoms, weight gain, dry mouth, fatigue, excessive sweating, lightheadedness, stomach problems like constipation or diarrhea, and sexual problems, mostly related to arousal.
What is Lexapro 5mg?
Lexapro 5 mg is the brand name of Escitalopram, which is a drug used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders, most commonly anxiety and anxiety-related disorders.
It has also been used in cases of Personality disorders (Mainly Borderline Personality due to the emotional problems involved), Body Dysmorphophobic Disorder, certain mood disorders, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Lexapro 5mg Reviews
Here are some reviews of Lexapro 5mg.
From the user Ali82, who has been using Lexapro 5 mg for 3-5 years:
“3 years on Lexapro, I have a life. I am so grateful that I found a doctor who really worked with me to find something that worked. And also for convincing me to stay in it as I had so many conflicting beliefs around using antidepressants. My moods are stable, it’s helped me during 2 pregnancies and with postnatal anxiety. I notice my mood swings and insomnia creep back if I’m not taking regularly. It’s a lifesaver for me and it took me approx 9 days to start feeling normal when I first took it. The initial side effects do stop. Sex drive did come back. ”
From the user happypillz who has been taking the medicine for around 6 months:
“I have had anxiety, insomnia and I guess depression for life. I’m 42 and I felt like I was going to lose it after a lot of drama plus the lockdown & quarantine. I was on Zoloft (generic) for weeks and the side effects were unbearable, I almost checked myself into the hospital. It was so bad. I was switched to lexapro (generic) and feel like a new woman! Calm cool and collected. Wish I had these in my 20s I would have a different life lol.”
From an anonymous user, who has been taking Lexapro 5mg for around 2 years:
“I started 5 mg of Lexapro for social anxiety a month ago, with no side effects. My doctor increased to 10 mgs. And after 2 yrs, I’m still using it, and my social anxiety is subsided Amazing, I was a mess!”
SugoiApples, another user, has been taking Lexapro 5mg for around 2 years, and says,
“Lexapro was the first meds I took to help with my anxiety and panic attacks and worked great. I did get side effects for only the first week, I had nausea and headaches, the side effects were tolerable though. Little by little I felt like I was able to get my life back. The only side effect that made me want to stop was a decrease in my sex drive. If it weren’t for that it would be a 10/10 for me.”
Another anonymous user, who has been using Lexapro 5mg for around 2 years for anxiety, says:
“It’s been taking 10mg about 2 years now. I’ve been on Cipralex. The first week was interesting. I started feeling strange at first due to my brain chemistry adjusting. Had an emotional reaction both good and bad. After the first week, I started doing chores again, felt a bit more motivated. Headaches started going away. By the first month, I had no more heart palpitations due to anxiety. And no more panic attacks. I did gain weight but then again I have always been a food person. Exercise does make a positive impact on the bottom line. Sleep improved. Libido was down a bit but at my age 38, it’s still good. This is a good drug for anxiety with very few side effects. I’m really glad it works for me. You have to take it consistently or you will go back to your old ways. In the meantime work on positive thoughts, stay away from negative things, watch comedy shows, avoid horror, death, and gore movies. And try planting and gardening. It’s quite liberating.”
Hans, who has been using Lexapro for anxiety for around 6 months, says:
“Started taking Lexapro from my anxiety attacks which were almost every day. I was really struggling, I’ve had mild depression in my life as well. I’ve always just gone with the flow but the anxiety attacks were just too much for me I was miserable. I am now a couple of months into my treatment and I can honestly say it’s helped me a lot. I feel as normal as I ever have. It keeps my mind relaxed and I sleep so much better the thoughts and anxiety doesn’t swarm me like it used to. I still feel anxiety sometimes but it’s not nearly as bad. My depression has for the most part gone away. I am way more even now and in control of my feelings. The weeks getting on it were horrible I’m not gonna lie but it is worth it. Stay strong it may not be the med for you but if it is and you stick it out, it’s worth it. Remember you are not alone don’t give up.”
How does Lexapro make you feel for the first week?
In the first week, Lexapro 5 mg may cause a number of side effects, including Sexual problems and behavioral changes.
These are some of the side effects of Lexapro 5 mg you should look out for in the first week of taking it:
- Reduction or lowering of Libido, sexual dysfunction in the form of reduced arousal or inability to achieve release from intimate play.
- Insomnia or trouble sleeping, lack of restful, adequate sleep
- Appetite loss or food tasting bland
- Dry mouth and a constant feeling of being parched and dehydrated
- Dizziness and drowsiness that does not make you want to sleep but makes you feel weak like you will faint
- Behavioral changes like more sadness or anxious feelings, and if you experience these symptoms in particular you need to consult your doctor immediately and see if you can get your dosage changed.
Despite these side effects, however, most people report feeling better after taking Lexapro 5 mg and report very few side effects even in the first week.
How long does it take for Lexapro to work for anxiety
For Anxiety, it takes around 1-2 weeks for Lexapro 5mg to start working.
According to most users who have taken Lexapro 5 mg, they were able to see results within the first 2 weeks.
A review about how long it takes for Lexapro 5 mg to start working is quoted below:
“I started 5 mg of Lexapro for social anxiety a month ago and it was working within 3 weeks, with no side effects. My doctor increased to 10 mgs. And after 2 yrs, I’m still using it, and my social anxiety is subsided Amazing, I was a mess!”
Precautions to take while taking Lexapro 5mg
The precautions you need to take while taking Lexapro 5 mg are given below:
Make sure you inform your doctor of any allergies you may have or any other medication you may be taking before they prescribe Lexapro 5mg.
Precautions
When you are being prescribed escitalopram or Lexapro 5 mg, make sure you tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or any other medicines you know of.
Also, you need to tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially including personal or family history of any psychiatric conditions like bipolar/manic-depressive disorder, personal or family history of suicide attempts, or physical problems like liver disease, seizures, intestinal ulcers/bleeding (peptic ulcer disease) or, low sodium in the blood (hyponatremia), personal or family history of glaucoma, bleeding problems
Lexapro 5 mg may also cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm which can cause serious, though rarely fatal, fast, or irregular heartbeat that needs medical attention right away.
If you know that you have low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood you also need to tell your doctor about them as they may interfere with the function of this drug and can cause adverse side effects.
This drug may also make you dizzy or drowsy and it is not recommended that you take too much alcohol or marijuana as that can make you even more dizzy or drowsy.
Please make sure you do not drive, or do other things that require your total attention, until you can do it safely.
This drug can also affect pregnancy and breast milk so make sure you mention that to your doctor if any of that is applicable to you.
FAQs: does 5mg Lexapro do anything
Does the 5mg of Lexapro cause weight gain?
Yes, 5 mg Lexapro may cause weight gain, however, this is not a permanent problem and can be tackled.
It is also not a definite fact that Lexapro 5mg will cause weight gain in everyone, so do not let that change your mind about taking it if you need to.
How long does Lexapro 5 mg take to work?
It takes anywhere between 2-4 weeks for Lexapro 5 mg to work.
The minimum time it has been known to work in is 1 week, and the maximum it is known to take is 1 month or 4 weeks, and if Lexapro 5 mg is not working for you in that time, tell your doctor about it and see if they change your dosage.
How do you know Lexapro is working?
You can know that Lexapro is working if you start feeling that your symptoms have gotten better, or even if you are able to feel slightly more energetic, or if you are able to sleep, and your appetite feels better.
Generally, it has been seen that appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks of starting Lexapro, with significant changes in sleep and energy levels.
Any new improvement in these or other physical symptoms is a good sign that Lexapro is working.
More severe symptoms like depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to abate completely.
Is 5mg Lexapro enough for anxiety?
Yes, 5 mg Lexapro is enough for anxiety if you have never been medicated before and you are just starting medication or therapy.
In anxiety-related disorders like panic disorder, the usually prescribed starting dose of Lexapro is 5 mg taken once daily the first week the dose may be subsequently increased to 10 mg per day.
The Lexapro dose may be further increased but only to a maximum of 20 mg per day.
For Social Anxiety disorder the normally recommended dose of Lexapro is 10 mg taken once daily.
Will Lexapro help me sleep?
Yes, Lexapro does help people sleep after around 1 week of starting medication, according to most studies.
It has been seen that certain SSRIs and SNRIs may disrupt sleep, however, one study indicates that treatment with escitalopram, better known as Lexapro, at standard clinical doses of around 5mg daily may actually improve sleep quality over time.
Citations
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g19442611/lexapro-side-effects/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325640#interactions
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