I started taking 10mg Lexapro 2 weeks ago. Yesterday I got a slight case of hives. Within 1 hour of waking today I got hives that covered my body. It took about 3 hours for the hives to go away and just as soon as they did, they came back again more intense than before. I had a prescription for Methylprednisone dospak filled. I was able to sleep for a few hours before another severe outbreak occurred.
There has been no change in habits. I have never had hives this severe in my life. I’m convinced Lexapro is the cause.
There has been no change in habits. I have never had hives this severe in my life. I’m convinced Lexapro is the cause.
I was on lexapro for three years, was off it for six months, and have been back on it for three months. I recently broke out in a rash that is now covering my entire body, including my scalp and into my ears. My Doctor told me to stop taking the lexapro immediately, but last time I stopped taking it it took me a month to wean myself off of it because of the vertigo. Hopefully this rash will go away soon because not only does it freak me out and itch like crazy, but it's the beginning of Summer and now I'm too embarrassed about my skin to wear any of my Summer clothes.
A similar situation happened to me, but I cannot say 100% it was from lexapro. I have had hives on and off over the years; and they usually go away completely within 1 day. Sometimes they would comeback the next day, but they would never continuously stay; and I could usually make them go away with Benadryl.
The meds were working as they should, for the first time in years I had clearer thinking. Long story -- short I had the worst episode ever of hives all over my body, they would not go away with Benadryl at night and Allegra in the morning. My usual routing of eliminating the hives was not working. They lasted eight days until I said, okay, I think the Lexapro is contributing and I better stop taking it. Stopped the Lexapro. To get rid of the hives my physician put me on prednisone and a newer antihistamine, XYZAL, (that is supposed to be geared toward hives; and I put it in caps because I want those of you who are still suffering with hives to see it.)
I want to thank everyone for posting what happened to them, because I am much more confident about my decision to stop. It is too bad, because the 10 mg of Lexapro was really helping me.
The meds were working as they should, for the first time in years I had clearer thinking. Long story -- short I had the worst episode ever of hives all over my body, they would not go away with Benadryl at night and Allegra in the morning. My usual routing of eliminating the hives was not working. They lasted eight days until I said, okay, I think the Lexapro is contributing and I better stop taking it. Stopped the Lexapro. To get rid of the hives my physician put me on prednisone and a newer antihistamine, XYZAL, (that is supposed to be geared toward hives; and I put it in caps because I want those of you who are still suffering with hives to see it.)
I want to thank everyone for posting what happened to them, because I am much more confident about my decision to stop. It is too bad, because the 10 mg of Lexapro was really helping me.
My ordeal is similar but a little different. I started taking Lexapro in November. Everything was fine until April when I broke out in very intense itches. However, no physical manifestation appeared on my skin such as many of you describe such as rashes or hives. The itching was so horrible it was driving me insane. Benydral works everytime I take it though. I stopped the medication in May but the itching is still prevelant. I have been tested for all other types of diseases where itching is often a symptom, from Kidney, Liver, Thyroid to lymphoma, HIV, lupus etc...The dermatologist still believes, or hoping, it is the medication since it has been two months since I stopped taking it. He claims after 3 months of discontinued use will the medication have completely left my body. I hope he is right b/c to continue living like this is insane. Sure, the benydral works, but I walk around like a zombie the whole freaking day after suffering through itching for 1/2 hour each day. Anyone experience something similar, w/o the rashes, hives?
I do not have hives but my eyes, ears & throat itch constantly. My eyes are the worse. They are watery and very itchy. They end up red and blood shot. I am just now thinking it is the Lexapro. I have been on it for a little over a month and started having a reaction about 2 weeks ago (around the same time I got kittens). I was tested for cat allergies but that came back negative.
My experience has been slightly different. I've been taking Lexapro for 4 years. I haven't had any problems except for one instance where I think I may have received counterfeit pills. A few weeks ago though, I broke out in an awful rash. After 2 weeks of suffering I went to the doctor, who game me a cortisone shot and some cream. The rash, however, continues to spread. One area will start to get better and then new areas develop. It's mostly on my torso and it's incredibly itchy. It sounds so much like all of the experiences here, though it didn't happen nearly as quickly. I'm concerned about going off the Lexapro because the Wellbutrin SR/ Lexapro combination has been so successful for me. I'm a teacher and this is a stressful time of year and NOT a good time to be messing with my meds. Anyone get rid of the rash while continuing to take Lexapro?
I was placed on Lexapro 5mg daily as part of my treatment for meineres syndrome to help control vertigo attacks. 6-8 weeks after begonning the lexapro i developed severe hives and rash uncontrolled itching in ability to sleep loss of appetite. I was nauseated every morning with vomiting had loss of balance caused many days of loss of work. I am off the lexapro now and on medrol and benadryl. I am doing better adn feel human again now.
I was on Lexapro for over 3 years and had a rash for 2 1/2 of those years, my doctor never put two and two together and was treating me for multiple things but couldn't figure out why I had the rash because it wasn't listed as a reaction. I was weaned off the medication about a year ago and was finally clear of the rash that had spread from the back of my thighs to by abdomen and arms. Recently I couldn't take it anymore and asked to be put back on a medication for my anxiety, after a trial of zoloft, prozac, and paxil; we pretty much concluded that I have a severe allergy to all of them. She started my on wellbutrin today, which is supposidly in a completely different class of medication... We'll see what happens... Half the time I don't think they know what they are doing and I am just a giunea pig! ugh!
I am so itchy tonight at 12:40am that I am doing some research on the internet instead of sleeping. I began taking Lexapro less than 2 months ago and soon after started to break out in little rashes. I have been very healthy all my life, no allergies (other than hay fever). I eat well, exercise, 36 years old, 2 healthy pregnancies...so I was pretty sure the rash was connected to the Lexapro. But I couldn't find anything about this on the internet, so I went to see my doc. He said I have pressure urticaria and recommended an anthistamine. Well, I looked up pressure urticaria, and I don't think that's it. I think it's the Lexapro. I'm going off it now. Have not been on it that long. And my depression and anxiety were fairly mild. Will update if the itching stops and will then try a different SSRI when under control.
Please someone help!!!!!!!!!!! All of the symptoms that have been described are the same that I am experiencing....AND I am on Lexapro. I am absolutely miserable as I generally get the hives (diagnosed with Chrnoic Urticaria) overnight, but today is the worst. I have them on my back and neckline, swollen upper lip, behind my legs and down the sides of my abdomen. I have never been allergic to anything and have had all blood work to check for immune deficiency, thyroid, etc and all came back normal. I take the Claritin and Zyrtec but they don't seem to do anything. I am contemplating whether to get off Lexapro or decrease dosage (pending dr. call back) but am nervous about how I will handle anxiousness, etc. Does anyone have any success stories when going off Lexapro and their hives?
2 week update after stopping Lexapro. I had to go on a quick dose of Prednisone to get rid of the major rashes/ hives that I was getting. I am now finished with my Prednisone and religiously taking claritin in morning and zyrtec at night along with benadryl. It has stopped the overnight outbreaks and I appear to be over the side effects of Lexapro (dizziness, flutters in head). I pray this continues to get better as no medication is worth what I had gone through with the hives. I plan on taking the claritin and zyrtec along with benadryl for about two months as the Lexapro should be out of my system by then. So far so good and now enjoying a better life without Lexapro! Will keep you up to date.
I was on Lexapro 5 mg for one day and started getting a bad reaction. I was gagging non stop, but I thought it was just my body getting used to the meds so I continued taking it the next day but things got so bad that I had to stop after only 2 doses of 5 mg. It was then that I noticed the itching. My entire head was itchy and at first I thought it was my bed. The itching continued and my eyes started getting puffy. My body was itchy but it was not as bad as my head. And I'm talking my ENTIRE head. My neck, my face, my ears.. everything on my head was itching. I felt like I was going crazy scratching and I could hardly keep my eyes wide open since I was scratching it so much. I went to my doctor and she told me that I could be allergic to the medication since nothing else in my life had changed. It's been a week since I stopped taking Lexapro and I'm still itching but it's not as bad as it initially was (and I PRAY that it doesn't get worst!). I'm so glad to have found this forum and hearing that other people have had similar reactions (not that that's good, but that I'm not the only one with this reaction).
I am so glad to read all of your reports. I am losing my mind with the itchiness, couldn't imagine that it was the Lexapro because I've been on it for 8 months, itchiness started about 2 months ago. I've got these little bloody red bumps all over because I can't resist itching. Crazy. I am going to wean off the lexapro, but it bums me out because Lexapro worked so well to make me feel calmer and less anxious--at least until the itchy bumps made me a crazy woman again :) Does anyone have any advice about another way to control anxiety without lexapro??
I STARTED ON LEXAPRO A MONTH AGO, AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS THE ITCHING STARTED, I THOUGHT I WAS ALLERGIC TO THE LAUNDRY SOAP, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. IT WAS THE LEXAPRO. OMG IT ITCHES SO BAD, AND IT HURT TOO. IT FEEL LIKE MY BODY IS ON FIRE, AND IT DOES NOT HELP TO TAKE A BATH OR SHOWER, THAT MAKES IT WORST. THE RASH IS ALL OVER MY BODY, EVEN ON MY LEGS. WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE PRESCRIBING THE MEDS TO US. I LOVE HOW THE LEXAPRO TAKE THE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AWAY, BUT THE RASH IS WAY MORE IRRITABLE. MY BODY IS BURNING RIGHT NOW ALL OVER TOO. THIS IS SAD. I WAGER THEY KNOW ABOUT THE RASH BUT THEY STILL SALE THE MEDS TO US. EVERYTIME OUR THERAPIST WRITE US A PRESCRIPTION THEY GET PAID. THEY DONT CARE ABOUT THE ITCHING, ALL THEY WANT IS MONEY. OMG IT BURNS SO BAD. SMH. I WILL NOT TAKE ANOTHER ONE............
I feel like I am the one writing all of these posts. I too have the same problem. I started Lexapro 1 month ago. Hives have developed. I just came back from the doctors surgery for the 4th time to have my doctor say, she believed it was the Lexapro and to stop immediately. Initially we thought it was mangoes. As I was mango picking for a week too. However I also started the lexapro at the same time. I have not gone near mangoes nor eaten them nor have I ever had an allergic reaction in my life. My bloods indicated its something I am eating. Not anything external. The only thing constant is the lexapro. On the pamphlet for lexapro, it does have under “Uncommon Side effects” the lexapro can cause urticaria. Finding this website was surely a huge help. I have sent this link to my GP.
The medication I am on.. Started with the Cortisone shot in my bottom, then followed by Redipred over a course of 3 days 10mls per day with Telfast 180mg around 3 to 4 a day and night.
When the redipred was finished I still had the rash as it came back with a vengeance so back to the doctors and then on Prednisolone (I believe this is the same as redipred but in tablet form not liquid). To take 30mg of this per day and zyrtec 1 tablet. This too did not work. I have changed since the zyrtec to Phenergan 25mg.
Yes the rash truly unbearable. I did not realise that Benadryl was helpful im getting this today..
Thank you for all your posts. It's a relief to see that I am not the only Robinson Crusoe on my island.
I hope you all find some relief in one way or another.
The medication I am on.. Started with the Cortisone shot in my bottom, then followed by Redipred over a course of 3 days 10mls per day with Telfast 180mg around 3 to 4 a day and night.
When the redipred was finished I still had the rash as it came back with a vengeance so back to the doctors and then on Prednisolone (I believe this is the same as redipred but in tablet form not liquid). To take 30mg of this per day and zyrtec 1 tablet. This too did not work. I have changed since the zyrtec to Phenergan 25mg.
Yes the rash truly unbearable. I did not realise that Benadryl was helpful im getting this today..
Thank you for all your posts. It's a relief to see that I am not the only Robinson Crusoe on my island.
I hope you all find some relief in one way or another.