Has Escitalopram (Cipralex/Lexapro) helped your depression/anxiety?

[sanyadz]

I have recently been prescribed Cipralex (Lexapro) and was wondering if anyone could tell me how effective this medication is in treating depression/anxiety. Have you found it helpful and has it caused side effects such as weight gain and insomnia? I've heard it's a weight neutral antidepressant but the label says weight gain is one of the most frequent side effects.

[spikerusty]

i'm now on 20mg as started off on 10mg alongside my venlafaxine max dosage as everyone is different you understand as there is a lot of variety in reality with the prescribing of these drugs as to whether they'll be effective. Don't mean to sound like being patronizing but that's the truth. in terms of when i began to notice the possible positive effects i think it was into week 5-6 as it definately wasn't by week 4 as I asked specifically for it to be increased with my doctor as I wasn't happy with it. It is working fairly well with me i think but it definitely is a lot better than where i was. I'd say by week 9 i could say with some sense of certainty that it was working as i was sleeping better, having slightly more energy, feeling more relaxed, less bad tempered & irritable, less depressed, more socially coordinated and confident, as well as less intensely anxious and feeling quite isolated as with being in that "bad place" you doubt whether these rays of light will last, but by that stage i was thinking somewhat more certain that i could begin to trust this development. Still need to maximise my other coping skills as well and limit quite strictly the booze with me i'm afraid as this just washes me out for days up to a week even with just a few beer, but i'll survive for my mental health i think.

[sanyadz]

Thanks for the reply.

What dose are you on and when did you notice the first positive results?

[spikerusty]

been on this for 2/3 months now and feeling better with it although on this in combination with another a/d as took some time to begin working as all ssri's do of course. No weight gain and no insomnia for me i can report if anything it has given me back energy, mental focus and confidence. the leaflets do list all kinds of side effects which some ssri's and other a/d's have more commoner side effects than others. weight gain with lepraxo was one i felt was not as common i read through researching this site and over the net with others. stay in there as things will get better for you.