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Lexapro Side Effects

Bipolar Medications Library

By Kimberly Read & Marcia Purse, About.com

Updated: June 20, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Lexapro - generic Escitalopram - is an SSRI antidepressant medication related to Celexa. It may be prescribed for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

Lexapro Side Effects include:

More common: constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; nausea; dry mouth; increased sweating; ejaculation delay; gas in stomach; heartburn; inability to have or keep an erection; impotence; loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance; stomach pain; insomnia; trouble sleeping; unable to sleep; decreased interest in sexual intercourse; sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Less common: abdominal pain; loss of appetite; cough; decreased appetite; diarrhea; chills; fever; general feeling of discomfort or illness; headache; joint pain; muscle aches and pains; nausea; not able to have an orgasm; pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones; runny nose; shivering; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; sneezing; sore throat; stuffy nose; sweating; tightness of chest or wheezing; trouble sleeping; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare: coma; confusion; convulsions; dizziness; nausea or vomiting; shortness of breath; fast or irregular heartbeat; headache; increased thirst; muscle pain or cramps; swelling of face, ankles, or hands; decreased urine output; unusual tiredness or weakness

Lexapro Withdrawal Side Effects

Less common: ejaculation delay; nausea

A number of other side effects for both usage and withdrawal have been reported by the public. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be all-inclusive or to replace information provided by your doctor or with the prescription from the manufacturer.

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Bipolar Disorder

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