Lexapro and itching
Posted , 2 users are following.
I've been taking Lexapro for @10 years, due to anxiety. Dosage 10 and increasing to 20. The problem is I think I've developed a severe skin reaction. I have had the occasional hives, etc over the years, but in the past 4 months it has been extreme. Itching so bad it has kept me up at night, causing rashes, dryness, etc. It is all over my body at various times, but my hands, chest and neck are the worst. I have seen a Dermato logistics, but my skin wasn't bad enough for him to make an a curate diagnosis at the time. However, he did say that it is possible to develop a reaction after years of use. Has anyone else reacted the same after years of use?
0 likes, 2 replies
amber09486 kerry17165
Posted
Hopefully your itching has calmed down. Lexapro never had this effect on me but people can have reactions to just about anything. Could it be something more environmental that has changed, I.e. laundry detergent, eczema, perfume, shower soap? It could also be something in your diet you are allergic to also. I would think if you were allergic to Lexapro you would have had symptoms of itching from day one of taking the pill. But above all I would check with your doctor.
kerry17165 amber09486
Posted
Hello Amber,
Yes my skin seems to be slowly settling down. My Dermatologist told me that it's not unusual for people to develop reactions to medications they've been on for quite a while. He said that it definately wasn't anything I was eating or any products I was using, nor another unrelated medication I was taking. The cheeky bugger even said that it wasn't due to the possibility of menopause (what!) He seemed confident that it was due to Lexapro, but couldn't be certain until he saw me at my worst and/or was able to take a biopsy. To cut a long story short, after a few flare ups and not being able to see him during these occasions, I decided to stop taking Lexapro - cold turkey, as I would be up nights itching and couldn't get relief from anything prescribed. It wasn't until about a week later that I started having symptoms of withdrawal, although I had previously been told that Lexapro wasn't addictive! My main concern was that I was feeling extremely light headed and was worried about driving. I was also nauseous and tirered. Anyway, I went to my GP, who said that in her experience, symptoms get better in a few weeks and she gave me a mild calmative to take at night. Although, I know everyone's experience is different and I have been taking it for a long time. Hopefully this isn't all for nothing, as Lexapro was working for me, as far as my previous boughts of anxiety. Anyway, my skin does seem to be getting better and I think perhaps the "withdrawal" symptoms are too. I'll touch base with my GP again soon and will address the anxiety situation down the track, should it rear it's ugly head again, as there are other similar medications that don't have the exact same ingredients.
As for your predicament. I initially started taking 10mg for anxiety, which worked a treat for quite a few years. I asked to increase it, as I felt that I needed additional support. I started taking 20mg, but remember my GP making reference to me not being able to take a stronger doseage. She might have been referring to my anxiety and that I wouldn't benefit from taking a stronger doseage for that, as it is a medication for not only anxiety, but also depression.
I take it that you haven't started taking the 30mg yet. I know that you shouldn't drink too much when taking the medication, but can't understand why one night would affect you so badly. It sound like you are starting to feel better, as you made reference to work. I think for now, I would monitor it and see if you get back to where you were before your night out, otherwise maybe increasing from 20-25mg. I guess I'm just concerned, as that sounds awfully high to me, but of course I don't know your exact situation and would like to think that your Dr knows best.
Let me know how you go.
All the best.