Escitalopram side effects

[ThatRubyRaven]

Having spoken at length with the mental health specialist at my GP surgery, in exploring whether there is a role for medication with my mental health struggles, the specialist has given me a few options to consider. One of those is an SSRI called Escitalopram and it’s been recommended on the basis that it’s is generally more tolerated gastrically, as I suffer with IBS. I just wondered what others’ experiences are please?

Agree, found it much better than sertraline. Sertraline gave me terrible IBS when I was coming off it.

Escitalopram also helps with motivation and focus, whereas sertraline killed my focus and motivation.

It did make me feel quite tired - think you have to watch that you eat potassium rich foods as think it can lower potassium levels.

Thank you so much - that’s really helpful. 💛

I have recently started on escitalopram and have been on sertraline and fluoxetine before.

I have found starting on all of them to be pretty similar in terms of side effects etc.

Not sure how helpful that is but it is my experience. I think side effects vary hugely from person to person though.

Everything is helpful, thank you! I just want to weigh things up before taking the plunge. I have emetophobia so need to take the risks of feeling much more unsettled into consideration too. Thank you for responding! 💛

I was taking citalopram for years, and moved onto escitalopram. While I had some mild nausea when I first started taking it, I never experienced any intestinal issues.

I have been on it for years and found it life changing and really positive. But I don't have IBS so not sure how helpful that is. I didn't have any side effects though.

Thank you for letting me know! That’s really helpful. I struggle with being sick (I know no one loves it - it sends me into a panic) so I’m a bit uneasy about starting the medication, but it seems like it’s designed to help alleviate a lot of the struggles I face daily. I really appreciate your input. 💛

I totally get it - fellow emetophobe here and I started it pre my most effective round of CBT so it was not something I was feeling good about. But I found it manageable and because I was expecting it it helped me manage the thoughts! Good luck - it as life changing for me