What is Multiple Sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis (MS), also known as “disseminated sclerosis” or “encephalomyelitis disseminata”, is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms.
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Possible Side Effects from Lexapro
Lexapro Side Effects: An Introduction
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Lexapro® (escitalopram oxalate). Yet, not everyone who takes the drug will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Lexapro. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Lexapro side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects of Lexapro
Lexapro has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials.
In these studies, side effects occurring in a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to those that occur in another group not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
Based on these studies, the most common side effects of Lexapro include:
- Headache — in up to 24 percent of people
- Nausea — up to 18 percent
- Ejaculation problems — up to 14 percent
- Extreme tiredness — up to 13 percent
- Insomnia — up to 12 percent
- Dry mouth — up to 9 percent
- Fatigue — up to 8 percent
- Increased sweating — up to 8 percent
- Diarrhea — up to 8 percent
- A decreased sex drive — up to 7 percent
- Orgasm problems — up to 6 percent
- Constipation — up to 6 percent
- Dizziness — up to 5 percent.
Some of these side effects, such as dizziness and nausea, might go away as your body adjusts to Lexapro. Others, such as sexual problems and dry mouth, are less likely to go away.
Other Common Lexapro Side Effects
Other common side effects of Lexapro (occurring in 1 percent to 5 percent of patients) include but are not limited to:
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Decreased appetite
- A burning or tingling sensation
- Vomiting
- Vivid dreams, nightmares, or increased dreaming
- Increased weight
- Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction or ED
- Lexapro Side Effects to Report
- There are a number of less common but more serious side effects of Lexapro that you should report to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Anxiety, agitation, or panic attacks
- Hostility or aggressiveness
- Engaging in unusual or dangerous activities
- Restlessness or an inability to sit still
- Extreme elation, or a feeling of happiness that may switch back and forth with a depressed or sad mood
Other unusual changes in behavior
Signs of serotonin syndrome (a rare but dangerous problem associated with certain medications), such as:
- Confusion or other mental changes
- A rapid heart rate
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Hallucinations
- Blood pressure changes
- An irregular heart rhythm
- Overactive reflexes
- Fever, sweating, or shivering
- Shakiness
- Agitation
- Seizures
- Coma
- Chest palpitations
- Difficulty sleeping
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Rare Lexapro Side Effects
There are other possible problems that can occur in people taking Lexapro. These rare side effects occur in less than 1 percent of people. It is difficult to tell whether these side effects are because of the medication or something else.
These rare Lexapro side effects include but are not limited to:
- Shakiness (tremor)
- Anemia
- Nose bleed
- Weight loss
- Hemorrhoids
- Muscle pain or bone pain
- Liver problems
- Mania or hypomania
- Decreases in blood sodium levels (hyponatremia)
- Asthma
- Acne
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- Hair loss
Final Thoughts
It is possible that you may experience some or none of the Lexapro side effects explained above. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand whether you will have side effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, make sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking Lexapro. Also let your healthcare provider know if you develop something that “just does not seem right.” While it may not be a side effect of Lexapro, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
Reference:
This information was obtained from the following website:
MedTv Health Information brought to life
http://depression.emedtv.com/lexapro/lexapro-side-effects-p3.html
Accessed on October 12, 2009
Zoloft Side Effects
Zoloft Side Effects:
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Zoloft® (sertraline hydrochloride); however, not everyone who takes Zoloft will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Zoloft well. When Zoloft side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Zoloft. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Zoloft side effects with you.)
Common Zoloft Side Effects
Zoloft has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials in which a group of people taking the drug have side effects documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine.
This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common side effects of Zoloft included:
- Nausea — reported in up to 30 percent of people
- Insomnia — reported in up to 28 percent of people
- Ejaculation problems — reported in up to 19 percent of people
- Diarrhea or loose stools — reported in up to 24 percent of people
- Dizziness — reported in up to 17 percent of people
- Dry mouth — reported in up to 16 percent of people
- Fatigue — reported in up to 16 percent of people
- Drowsiness — reported in up to 15 percent of people
- Indigestion — reported in up to 13 percent of people
- Shakiness (tremor) — reported in up to 11 percent of people
- Loss of appetite — reported in up to 11 percent of people
- Decreased sex drive (libido) — reported in up to 11 percent of people.
Other common Zoloft side effects that occurred in more than 2 percent of patients were:
- Increased sweating
- Burning or tingling sensation (paresthesia)
- Pain
- Headache
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
- Constipation
- Vision changes
- Hot flashes
- Nervousness.
Common Zoloft Side Effects in Children
Zoloft side effects seen in children taking Zoloft are generally similar to those seen in adults taking the medication. However, some common Zoloft side effects that appear to occur more often in children include:
- Fever
- Hyperactivity
- Urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control)
- Aggressiveness
- Sinus infection or inflammation
- Bloody nose
- Red or purple discolorations on the skin (purpura).
Zoloft Side Effects to Report
There are a number of less common but more serious side effects of Zoloft that you should report to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Anxiety, agitation, or panic attacks
- Hostility or aggressiveness
- Engaging in unusual or dangerous activities
- Extreme elation or feeling of happiness that may switch back and forth with a depressed or sad mood
- Other unusual changes in behavior
- Hallucinations
- Fast heart rate
- Chest palpitations
- Feelings of internal restlessness or jitteriness
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Rare Zoloft Side Effects
- There are other possible Zoloft side effects that can occur. These rare Zoloft side effects occur in less than 1 percent of patients. In the case of these side effects, it is often difficult to tell whether the side effect is a result of the medication or something else.
- Some of these possible rare Zoloft side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction or ED)
- Flushing
- Cold, clammy skin
- Glaucoma
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Hair loss
- Acne
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Diverticulitis
- Muscle pain
- Yawning
- Menstrual problems
- Seizures
- Irritation or inflammation of the nasal passages (rhinitis)
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Zoloft Side Effects: Summary
It is possible that you may experience some or none of these Zoloft side effects explained above. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have side effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, make sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you develop something that “just does not seem right.” While it may not be a side effect of Zoloft, your healthcare provider should be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
Reference:
This information was obtained from the following website:
MedTv Health Information brought to life
http://depression.emedtv.com/zoloft/zoloft-side-effects-p3.html
Accessed on October 12, 2009