Escitalopram

[Margo5]

I have been prescribed escitalopram today for my low mood. Only 5mg dose then doctor is speaking to me in 2 weeks to review. I have never taken antidepressants before.
I have read on the packet that they can make you drowsy and affect driving. I usually don't drive far (just school run and short drive to the office) but have a 2hr drive this weekend. Wondered if I should wait to start them until Sunday once home?
Also alcohol, I'm not a huge drinker but do enjoy the odd glass of wine at the weekend. Can I still do this?
Any advice appreciated TIA

I took escitalopram for about a year and never made me drowsy, more like the opposite. 5mg is an extremely low dose too. Beware - I gained a ton of weight!

Thanks for sharing your experience pollykitty great that it had the opposite effect could definitely do with that. Was the weight gain because of increased appetite or just a general side effect? x

Also did you drink alcohol when on them? I'm going on an all inclusive holiday soon. I'm not going to go mad but it'd be nice to have a drink! 😅

You will be very aware if they do happen to make you drowsy. So you will be able to safely judge whether you are fit to drive or not. Antidepressants can take a few weeks to work, and the dose may need to be increased incrementally to get to a level that works for you. Good luck.

I have been taking escitalopram 10mg for about eight years. Luckily for me I have not gained any weight, in fact I am several stones lighter.
I have been eating more healthily though but definitely not restrictive.
Never had any drowsiness either although I don't drive. Also no problems after having a few drinks.
Good luck OP.

@DRS1970 @Vellincharm thanks for sharing your experiences - so reassuring. It's all a bit daunting but it does sound like my doctor has sensibly started me on a low dose to start with. I will take it slowly and judge what level is best for me.

I have also been prescribed 5mg to go to 10mg in a week.

Having bad naseau but think this is down to anxiety which seems to have got worse since taking escitalopram, I have read this can be an issue until it gets into the system?

I do feel drowsy an hour after taking.
Again maybe down to again getting into system?

I am trying to be positive as had a nightmare few months with out of the blue anxiety but hearing lots of different things on this med.

Any input on who's been on a while would be great thanks.

@Essexgirl80 how are you doing on it now?

Hi there, this is Essexgirl80 husband. Unfortunately my wife passed away on the 31st October. I have been trying to close down all her accounts but missed this one. Thank you for messaging her though

@Essexgirl80 I’m so sorry to hear this.

Hi OP, I’ve been on escitalopram for 5+ years now (after being on venlafaxine for approx 10years) I went in to escitalopram as my anxiety worsened. I’m on 20mg a day. Up until very recently they’ve been great, no side effects that ive noticed. I don’t drink so unable to help you there but not experienced any drowsiness. Really hoping they help you xx