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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Weakness In Legs While On Lexapro?

My dad was taking lexapro 5 mg for about 3 weeks then started on 10 mg for about a weak and and was too tired, went back to 5mg and started 10 mg at night again for about 4 days. That was again too much so tapered off to 5mg for 4 days and stopped. Now he is having symptoms of weakness in his legs where he is having trouble walking. He uses a rollator because of a chronic back pain for 49 years. He is 88 years old and the weakness in his legs after stopping lexapro 5 days ago has worsened to the point where he has trouble even using the walker. Will this symptom go away?
Mon, 2 Feb 2015
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

Lexapro (escitalopram) can cause lack of energy and fatigue in many people. This can also cause arthralgia, neck/shoulder pain, muscle cramp, and myalgia in some people. Jaw stiffness, muscle stiffness, arthritis, muscle weakness, arthropathy, back discomfort, joint stiffness, and jaw pain have been reported infrequently in patients on Lexapro.

These side effects happen at the start of treatment and then this can slowly improves with continuation of treatment which can take about 15 days or more. This side effect is seen more in the first month and usually is under control after 6 months of taking the medication. Please discuss with your doctors.
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What Causes Weakness In Legs While On Lexapro?

Hi, Thanks for writing in. Lexapro (escitalopram) can cause lack of energy and fatigue in many people. This can also cause arthralgia, neck/shoulder pain, muscle cramp, and myalgia in some people. Jaw stiffness, muscle stiffness, arthritis, muscle weakness, arthropathy, back discomfort, joint stiffness, and jaw pain have been reported infrequently in patients on Lexapro. These side effects happen at the start of treatment and then this can slowly improves with continuation of treatment which can take about 15 days or more. This side effect is seen more in the first month and usually is under control after 6 months of taking the medication. Please discuss with your doctors.