Lexapro and swelling?

[swollen]

I have taken Lexapro for debilitating depression for over two years now. I LOVE THIS MEDICATION! It really works well for my depression and anxiety (I sleep MORE taking it, even) When I first started it (at 10mgs), I noticed some slight swelling at my feet and ankles. A year later, we pushed the dose to 20mgs, and I got EXTREME swelling in feet, ankles, calves, hands and even wrists. I was repeatedly told by several doctors, including my psychiatrist that the Lexapro couldn't be causing this; so we searched high and low for another reason. None found. I have been taking between 40 and 80 mgs of Lasix for the swelling, which worked a bit, and my depression seemed OK, so we went back down to 10 mgs. When it got worse again recently, we went back to 20mgs, and SURPRISE -- here's the edema again within a week-10 days. Everyone insists it's not the Lexapro, and I really LOVE this medication, but nobody can find another reason for the swelling, and I have seen it mentioned once or twice on other web sites. Once and for all, could Lexapro, the medication that finally let me LIVE again, be causing this painful swelling in all my extremities? Please help. I don't want to stop taking this medication because it works SO well, but I can't live when I can't even get feet into shoes either and it's painful to walk. (PS, all other interventions: removing sodium, exercise, drinking gallons of water, potassium, etc haven't worked either. Nothing was found on any examination or ultrasound. Basically I'm in perfect health but swollen, in the words of one doctor, "pretty remarkably.") Thank you -- swollen

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I am sorry to tell you that I do not have an answer and have never seen this myself or have colleagues I have talked too. You have some good observations so you should puruse it more, I suggest you contact the pharmaceutical company either through your doctors talking to their reps or through your pharmacist.

[papaiz]

a friend of mine had her feet swell up when she quit using lexapro and when I quit paxil my ankles swelled up. This is the opposite to your situation yet still drug related.

[julie85]

I am just now finally getting off of Lexapro.  I have had weight gain that has just been unbearable for me.  Therefore I have been going through a slow withdrawl.  I am much better after 2 weeks of weaning off 20mg every other day and now about 2 weeks of being completely off the drug.  I still have slight headache/dizzyness problems, but one thing I have noticed is an increase in swelling since I have gotten off Lexapro.  I wake up in the morning and my hands are stiff and swollen.  I would normally think that this was because of the weight gain, but this has only started since stopping the medicine.  I'm glad the medicine works so well for you.  14 months and I've gained 25 pounds and am miserable.  I only hope once I'm completely free from the withdrawl symptoms, that I can get my metabolism and body back.  Good luck to you!

[ah41542]

I recently started taking Lexapro 10mg 4 days ago.  On the 3rd day, I developed pretty severe edema in my rt. foot followed by my left foot and then into my upper legs and hands.  I have no other medication changes or environmental changes that could have caused this.