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Lexapro and Memory Problems?

I've been on Lexapro (20 MG) for a little over a year now. It quickly fixed my depression/anxiety problems, and I feel okay mood-wise. Although for the first few months, the libido change (MUCH lower) and anorgasmia had been hard to deal with in the begining, but seems to be better.
The only thing is that I've noticed over the last several months an effect that is rather disturbing and I don't know if it's due to lexapro? Kind of an inability to think straight sometimes, or loss of short term memory. Just an overall feeling of almost a blank mind. (IE I used to write a lot, but since taking lexapro, if I pick up a notebook, i've got nothing).
Is it feasible that my brain-dead feelings are attributed to Lexapro?
I'm afraid to go off of it because of my previous moods before Lexapro (suicidal ideation, etc).

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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Avatar universal
Not to sound like a totally insane person.....but....it seems that many of us identify as highly intelligent, and highly intelligent people think....deeply and constantly, which leads to anxiety and depression because we see whats going on and have to live next to sheeple who only care about what kim k tweeted..... this med obviously shuts that high activity down so we can not give a crap like everyone else.
Helpful - 3
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Totally agree with you
Avatar universal
Recent published studies (and referenced in Primary Psychiatry journal) indicate that SSRI's can cause memory problems.  The pharma industry studies that you refer to were not performed to look for memory impairment.  The current theory is that long-term use of an SSRI causes a reduction in the number of serotonin receptors on neural cells and a reduction in the plasticity of the brain.  These two changes decrease the likelihood that new memories can be formed or retrieved. The big question is whether these changes are fully reversible after SSRI's are discontinued.
Helpful - 1
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I have been on Lexapro for almost 2 weeks 5 mg and I took my first 10mg as told and I felt the full cloudy, forgetfulness, and loss of memory and immediately stopped. Do you think ill be fine or are the SSRI changes permanent? Did you ever find out or etc?
Avatar universal
05346389805.

Yeah, we can't use email to talk about this insignificant(!) thing.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
You can't use email addresses on this site, but you can take private messages from people if you want.  You can start a journal on your home page and see if anyone follows it and responds.  There are ways within this site to communicate.  But keep in mind that the original post on this thread was 11 years ago and most likely everyone on here is long gone.  Making a new post will get you more feedback.  Also, can you give more detail?  It's very common for people to have side effects on these meds, and it's even more common for the very young like yourself.  Technically, these meds aren't even approved for use for anyone your age, though it is legal to use them anyway.  If you're having problems, the thing to do is talk to your psychiatrist and if it's really bad taper off the med as slowly as you need to.  The problem should go away.  You don't say how severe your problem is, normally at your age you would be referred to therapy before being put on these meds because your brain is not yet fully developed.  But again, 8 weeks is a very short time to be on the med, and tapering off it should solve your problem.  Permanent problems for the few who get them is usually caused by long-term use and sometimes by quitting the med too quickly.  
Avatar universal
Could everyone in this post write their experience after 3-5 months? I read a lot of bad things and i don't know most part of it either could recovered or couldn't. It gives me more doubt.
In my situation, im 16 years old, very intelligent(i was) person. Yep, i have the same issue after 8 weeks 10 mg prozac usage. I don't know it permanent and i think, i ruined my only reason to live(my future). I will improve my english(Eng is not my native lan.) just for reading information about that.

Imo, we need a group to discuss every solution. ***@**** (for any promising information, experience)
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Prozac is very fine for memory problems and processing velocity.
?  
Avatar universal
I had taken lexapro 15mg for 2 years and went through about 5 months of tapering process,. Now I am completely living without them. Like all these people, I had same concern that "Will this memory problem, feeling of fogginess, forgetfulness continue forever?". This kind of thought brought me severely down and this doubt made me painful. However, after three month of bringing down the dose of lexapro to 0-mg, I felt that my head is getting smarter, clearer. And now I think that I'm 85% recovered.(Sure that it will be 100% soon) Therefore, what I wanna say is the symptom of forgetfulness, memory problem DOESN'T LAST PERMANENTLY,
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Let's hope so.  Don't know that these drugs cause this problem.  What I do know is that withdrawal problems can last a very long time in some people, though not in most people.  It's very possible that withdrawal problems, which can make one feel very disoriented and anxious and just very spacy, might seem like memory problems when what's actually happening is a focus problem.  My main point is, over-generalizing usually gets us into trouble with medication, as different people have very different results.
I am really glad to hear that! I am already 2 years on Lexapro 20mg and my memory problems gradually increased during the last year and a half. I will definitelly consult with my psychiatrist and try to find an alternative but I will definitelly tapper it down!
Avatar universal
Lexapro generates memory problems. I suffered all the symptoms of verbal absences. I am 33 years old, I am a PhD and university professor. Being speechless in front of a class is not a good thing. It is true that Lexapro is very good for the remaining symptoms of depression. I researched a lot about SSRIs. While all psychiatrists say that these medications act in a similar way, I can guarantee that everyone feels very different. The only antidepressant that improves declarative memory, memory linked to the history of memory, is Paroxetine. I attached the link, maybe it will be a bit technical, but it's worth trying to understand it.
From today I will try to do something that I do not recommend: I will mix 10 mg of lexapro with 5 mg of paroxetine and I will evaluate if these small doses of paroxetine help to mitigate the harmful effects of lexapro in my memory. I will try to upload updates of my state. Greetings to all.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14512209 The
Long-term treatment with paroxetine increases verbal declarative memory and hippocampal volume in post-traumatic stress disorde
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I'm not sure this is accurate.  The effect on people of antidepressants differs by the individual, how well the drug is absorbed, and the state of the person taking it.  Paroxetene is perhaps the most difficult of all the antidepressants to take and stop taking -- especially stop taking.  But all ssris work similarly, though they are all different.  Because Paxil has a very strong effect on choline receptors, stopping it can be a life-changing experience, so even if you found a study that said it improves memory or doesn't affect memory, when you stop taking it, this powerful effect on choline might permanently affect your brain function -- maybe not memory, but personality.  So be careful what you wish for.
Also, be very careful about serotonin syndrome.  It's pretty rare, but combining ssris is one of the best ways to get it.
Avatar universal
Lexapro generates memory problems. I suffered all the symptoms of word absences. I am 33 years old, I am phD and university professor. Being speechless in front of a class is not a good thing. It is true that Lexapro is very good for the remaining symptoms of depression. I researched a lot about SSRIs. While all psychiatrists say that these medications act in a similar way, I can guarantee that everyone feels very different. The only antidepressant that improves declarative memory, memory linked to the memory story, is Paroxetine. I attached the link, maybe it will be a little technical but it is worth trying to understand it.
From today I will try to do something not recommending: I will mix 10mg of lexapro with 5mg of paroxetine and I will evaluate if these small doses of paroxetine help to mitigate the harmful effects of lexapro on my memory. I will try to upload updates of my state. Greetings to all.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14512209
Long-term treatment with paroxetine increases verbal declarative memory and hippocampal volume in posttraumatic stress disorder.

Lexapro genera problemas de memoria. Sufrí todos los síntomas de ausencias de palabras. Tengo 33 años, soy phD y  profesor universitario. Quedarte sin palabras frente a una clase no es algo bueno. Es verdad que Lexapro es muy bueno para los sintomas restantes de la depresión. Investigué mucho sobre los ISRS. Si bien todos los psiquiatras dicen que estos medicamentos actuan en forma similar, puedo garantizar que cada uno se siente muy distinto. El único antidepresivo que mejora la memoria declarativa, memoria vinculada con el relato de recuerdos, es la Paroxetina.  Les adjunto el enlace, quizás les resultará un poco técnico pero vale la pena intentar entenderlo.
Desde hoy intentaré hacer algo no recomendando: mezclaré 10mg de lexapro con 5mg de paroxetina e iré evaluando si estas pequeñas dosis de paroxetina ayudan a mitigar los efectos nocivos de lexapro sobre mi memoria. Intentaré subir actualizaciones de mi estado. Saludos a todos.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14512209
Long-term treatment with paroxetine increases verbal declarative memory and hippocampal volume in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thank you anyone for sharing your thoughts, i think my memory is getting back to me, even gradually, i lost the aggressive spirit, the selfcondemnation and introversion is disappearing quite slowly, i m relaxed and stable, being involved to society step by step, there is noway i can gain my deep/constant/ramified thinking back, part of my memory is gone too, the good aside the bad, but it is ok, im contented of this outcome, i gained half of my previous self and this is ok, i hope the world will be less imbalanced and abusive thus no resort to this kind of brain distorting drugs.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Lexapro generates memory problems. I suffered all the symptoms of word absences. I am 33 years old, I am phD and university professor. Being speechless in front of a class is not a good thing. It is true that Lexapro is very good for the remaining symptoms of depression. I researched a lot about SSRIs. While all psychiatrists say that these medications act in a similar way, I can guarantee that everyone feels very different. The only antidepressant that improves declarative memory, memory linked to the memory story, is Paroxetine. I attached the link, maybe it will be a little technical but it is worth trying to understand it.
From today I will try to do something not recommending: I will mix 10mg of lexapro with 5mg of paroxetine and I will evaluate if these small doses of paroxetine help to mitigate the harmful effects of lexapro on my memory. I will try to upload updates of my state. Greetings to all.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14512209
Long-term treatment with paroxetine increases verbal declarative memory and hippocampal volume in posttraumatic stress disorder.

Lexapro genera problemas de memoria. Sufrí todos los síntomas de ausencias de palabras. Tengo 33 años, soy phD y  profesor universitario. Quedarte sin palabras frente a una clase no es algo bueno. Es verdad que Lexapro es muy bueno para los sintomas restantes de la depresión. Investigué mucho sobre los ISRS. Si bien todos los psiquiatras dicen que estos medicamentos actuan en forma similar, puedo garantizar que cada uno se siente muy distinto. El único antidepresivo que mejora la memoria declarativa, memoria vinculada con el relato de recuerdos, es la Paroxetina.  Les adjunto el enlace, quizás les resultará un poco técnico pero vale la pena intentar entenderlo.
Desde hoy intentaré hacer algo no recomendando: mezclaré 10mg de lexapro con 5mg de paroxetina e iré evaluando si estas pequeñas dosis de paroxetina ayudan a mitigar los efectos nocivos de lexapro sobre mi memoria. Intentaré subir actualizaciones de mi estado. Saludos a todos.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14512209
Long-term treatment with paroxetine increases verbal declarative memory and hippocampal volume in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Avatar universal
Wow, what a realization. Thank you all here for sharing all of your stories. I have been having the SAME problems as everyone. Been taking Lex (10mg) for about 4 months last year and noticed the same issues. I first thought it was because of my language issue. (came to the states 10 years ago) I totally blamed on wrong things. I have been stopped taking the lex for about 3 months now because it wasn't really doing anything for me. I think the short term memory issue is slightly getting better for me, though. So guys, do not lose hope.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well this is depressing.  I started Lexapro 10mg 4 days ago and chalked up the zombie like feeling to adjusting to the drug.  Was prescribed for anxiety that may be causing massive acid reflux/GERD.


No way I can afford to lose memory, my job depends in retaining information and critical thinking.  Going back to doctor immediately.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had no idea. The thought to google memory loss and lexapro never occurred to me until today!  Now I don't feel so dumb.  I do believe I'm highly intelligent but I've really noticed that I am missing memory on the short term horribly. It's embarrassing.  One person said they have just tried to make lists and use a calendar but man sometimes I have to put extreme details or I still don't know what I meant.  I'm in my mid-30s and been on for over 10 years. I have an appt to see a new dr this month.  If this is why I can't think, I really need help. Plus I saw someone mention headaches..... Ohhhhh the migraines, is this also a side effect because it's wrecking my life I miss work at least 2x a month.  I guess I will know soon enough. I'm going to see about something new.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The fact that this memory loss/ brain fog may be permanent scares the crap out of me. I am down to 1/8 of a 10mg Escitalopram and still forget what day it is, what year it is, have to check and recheck information constantly, I come back and find I've put things in the wrong drawer...in the fridge...forget tasks at work...unintentionally go to work with no makeup on...

I want to apply for a new job, but I don't have the confidence that I can learn new things or that a new boss would overlook errors.

I used to be smart. Thank God for Google and Siri these days. I don't know what I'd do without them. I try to put appointments into my phone immediately. I make lists. Instead of telling people I'll contact them, I ask them to contact me...

I still watch Jeopardy, but I don't answer like I used to and I can't answer in the time allowed. After the contestant answers I think Oh, yeah, that's right...

I don't get upset about m mistakes anymore, because I now sadly just expect them. I feel disabled, but look fine on the outside. I'm too young for a caretaker or a home. I'm a divorced empty nester and support myself. I've started telling close friends my brain is broken when I forget things.

Good luck everyone I hope this improves.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
i just want to share my sad experience over here, i had been on servere depression cuz i got discarded from university and used to be an easy victime for society, thing like a fortunate prey for social injustice, my straight intuition and consciousness refused to take such meds for 7 years long (period of my depression) until my parents faced me with a bull-face : "take these meds or get the hell out o our house", i m 27 , i had no choice, i m a computer engineer with mathematical degree, designed lot of softwares, 4 of them are of systran and babylon's weight no joking ! i know my stuff in artificial intelligence , now evrything disappeared, the inspiration the chaining of ideas after i couldnt take my hands of the keyboard along a day, now i cant keep my hands 1 minute on the keyboard, a horrible and drastic changes, briefly, i want to pass away each fraction of second due to that stupid decision i assumed, 4 months since i quit that, hopefully i can find something to disintoxicate my brain, please help me, thanks.
Avatar universal
I too notice the memory issue, and general spaciness.  my wife confirms that my memory is poor since on these drugs, giving independent confirmation.  helps with my general stress/anxiety levels tho, so I am torn between being wound up or more chillaxed but 'impaired'.  seems we have some rather compelling concensus here.  I am senstive, and now only take 2mg lexam every second day and still feel these negative effects.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Spacing out is actually good for your brain. But I can feel your despair. I left school too because of Lexapro. Funnily enough my doctor assured me that my memory problems had hardly anything to do with the medication, maybe on contrary, it was said to boost memory, and she tried to pin it down to my occasional THC consumption. Yet there are hundreds of cases in the internet, I doubt she never heard of any. But I also read that every depression is taking part of your brain capacity. For ever. Every brings you nearer to dementia. If that is correct, then we have not much choice, right. Just have to try to be happy. I cut down to 5 mg and occasionally I take high dose of niacin. So let us see
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello Clara....I have been taking Lexapro for about 6 years now and have I am currently down to 2 and 1/2 mg. I am a 67 yo male. The memory loss and brain fog are terrible side effects and I am still experiencing them after tapering way down. I think I may have permanent brain damage. The situation has affected my work, concentration and social life. I am hoping to be completely off soon. Note: The drug did help with my depression but the side effects are intolerable!!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I totally agree I have been taking Lexapro and have horrible brain fog to the point of affecting my job and daily life. Seems to be a very common side effect of Lexapro but we are not told by drs. It has helped my depression but the side effects are not tolerable. I am also well educated and need my full mental capacity.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just want to say, even though we have these sometimes debilitating issues, I have found comfort in reading these posts in knowing I'm not the only one facing these problems.  Despite what doctors say, they are real.  I'm really seeking help because some days, I don't want to go on.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 51 y.o. female, was taking Zoloft, then Lexapro about 18 yrs. Finally decided to take myself off about 2 yrs ago because can no longer afford it. While I was on it, it was helping my depression so I didn't pay much attention to the memory loss but it was really bad.  Like everyone else on here, I'm an educated, articulate, enlightened person but my memory and ability to express myself has suffered greatly.  Unfortunately, since I weened myself off 2 yrs ago, my memory has not improved, in fact, it seems to be getting worse  I've tried brain exercises, supplements, vitamins, etc but nothing has helped.  A co-worker who happened to say she's taking lexapro and that it destroys memory!!  Boy was that an A-ha moment because it never dawned on me that that's what has caused my memory loss and all the other side effects everyone else has reported!  I feel so dumb at times, it has affected my social life, daily interactions with people and my ability to keep a job.  I have anxiety and feel like I have early dementia or alzheimers
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
short term memory loss  is with most meds , never long term . your brain it not turning over like a Ferrari  more like a mini . Your thought pattern is slowed to stop you over  loading the brain and triggering your depression. basically all ADS and Benzos are  a tranquilizer
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been taking lexapro since 2005 (almost 15 years) at first it helped me a lot, but now i am worried with the memory lost. I am 55, and i have noticed that my short memory is declining to the point that I have to write everything to remember to do things in my every day life. I began taking 10 mg then went to 20 mg and now I am in 10 mg again. Is there somebody who have taken Lexapro or escitolasplarn that long?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
These feels... Ive been on it almost a year now and ive felt exactly the same way. I think mental illness is conducive to a higher intelligence, but lexapro just has these unintended side effects.

I used to think it was the pot because of all these mixed signals and uncertainty about the science, some say it causes lack of motivation, which i havent felt, or that it lowers one's IQ, which i dont know. All because people cant test it without special gov't permission. But now ive been off of pot for about a month and I still haven't gotten better, leading me to believe it is the lexapro.

I just hope i can keep myself in a good state of mind while off of it, which is easier in the summer months, but then winter looms in the distance and it is very hard.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Found your comment re Lexapro and migraines very interesting. My husband has been on Lexapro about three months and had the same experience. He's loving that side effect for sure! His migraines are usually due to a sensitivity to a preservative, potassium sorbate, in some foods, and the migraines were debilitating, very similar to a TIA. He wouldn't be able to talk, etc. Scary. Now he just doesn't have them, although the Lexapro itself will give him a brief 10-minute headache at times. Much better than the migraines! At the same time, however, he's having problems with confusion and memory loss. Thinking about reducing from 20 mg to 15 to see how that goes. Thanks for everyone's input to this community, it's very helpful and we feel we aren't alone in this situation. My husband would post for himself but he doesn't type.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Recently when my husband's doc upped his Lexapro from 10 to 20 mg/day, he looked at me and very calmly said, "you might want to look up Mild Cognitive Impairment." I wondered WHY he would say such a thing, as my husband didn't seem to have any problems at that time, and he is 80 years old! Since that day, he has done a number of things that were not like him at all, such as putting food on the stove on high heat and walking outside, forgetting that he was cooking anything! Thankfully we just had a mild "smoke event" and all is well. But I'm concerned about this medication. Nothing else has changed. It certainly works well to keep his anxiety and depression under control, but his life is a lot more dangerous in other ways now. Best wishes to everyone who has posted. I am also in treatment for anxiety and depression, taking imipramine (20 years). So far, so good.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Recently when my husband's doc upped his Lexapro from 10 to 20 mg/day, he looked at me and very calmly said, "you might want to look up Mild Cognitive Impairment." I wondered WHY he would say such a thing, as my husband didn't seem to have any problems at that time, and he is 80 years old! Since that day, he has done a number of things that were not like him at all, such as putting food on the stove on high heat and walking outside, forgetting that he was cooking anything! Thankfully we just had a mild "smoke event" and all is well. But I'm concerned about this medication. Nothing else has changed. It certainly works well to keep his anxiety and depression under control, but his life is a lot more dangerous in other ways now. Best wishes to everyone who has posted. I am also in treatment for anxiety and depression, taking imipramine (20 years). So far, so good.
Helpful - 0
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