Suggest Treatment For Severe Anxiety While On Lexapro

Posted on Thu, 14 Jan 2016

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 Answered on

Mon, 15 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : One of the anxiety medications suggested to me recently by one of your online doctors, Dr. Sheppe (Lexapro, 5mg) was prescribed by my local doctor. I took this medication twice and on the second day, it made me feel extremely out of sorts.(worse than if I hadn't taken it). I have not taken it since then. Is this something that happens with this medication and I should try using it again, or should I not take it and try something else?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Continue with the drug for one week alteast.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.

Lexapro and other SSRIs can cause initial worsening of anxiety. It is common and occurs in most of the people who start with SSRIs.

This usually resolves in 4-5 days of taking the drug.

In my opinion, you should continue with lexapro. You should start feeling better in around one week. If there is further worsening of symptoms, change of drug must be considered.

A short term use of benzodiazepines like Clonazepam can be considered till lexapro starts showing its effects.

Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Feel free to ask further if you have more doubts.

Thanks.

Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD (Psychiatry).

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar