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What Causes Itching And Burning Sensation Throughout The Body While On Lexapro?

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Posted on Fri, 12 May 2017
Question: I am 73 years old I started the medicine called Lexipro 8 weeks ago.
Last week I had on vacation I had wine and then another day two margirettas and started noticing that I have several itching and burning. Now I am waking with heart racing etc at night. Went and read the instructions and discovered it said no alcohol
I am not usually a drinker. I am still experiencing burning and itching during the day but not as much as at night. The heart rating only at night. I feel like I am having an allergic reaction. I started taking Benadryl
and reducing the med to 5 mg from the 10 mg. What else might I do????
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ahmed Aly Hassan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Cold showers with oatmeal soap , benadryl tabs are fine only in mild allergies and you have to ask your psychiatrist for an alternative that works better with you .

Detailed Answer:
Hi i am Dr Ahmed Aly
thanks for using HealthcareMagic site ,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns ..

I hope you feel better soon i think you have an allergic reaction due to these side effects you mentioned in your given history , itching and burning is not a serious side effect but i think the tachycardia or increased heart rate is a side effect you might take concerns about .
From your given history you mentioned taking benadryl which gives an antihistamine effect and decreases allergic reactions , lexapro is an antidepressant so it is contraindicated to use any kind of alcohols with it . although you can not stop it immediately to prevent withdrawal symptoms so you should decrease its dosing gradually.
For your itching you may use cold showers with the benadryl will be fine , oatmeal soap or lotion will be helpful , i think you have to tell your physician about that tachycardia as it is a dangerous sign that may need a visit to the ER if became more frequent .
You have to stop using alcohol while on that kind of medication or ask your psychiatrist to prescribe you an alternative drug that may cause no or lesser side effects ( that is the best solution in my opinion ) and tell him about these reactions .
Benadryl is usually fine in most of mild to moderate allergic reactions but it will only help with your skin reactions and not your cardiac reactions which i think it is a dangerous reaction making your allergic reaction a severe type , high oxygenation and elevation of legs may be helpful during the attack .


Please click and consider a 5 star rating with some positive feedback if the information was helpful. Wish you good health,
Any further clarifications feel free to ask.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Ahmed Aly Hassan

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 441 Questions

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What Causes Itching And Burning Sensation Throughout The Body While On Lexapro?

Brief Answer: Cold showers with oatmeal soap , benadryl tabs are fine only in mild allergies and you have to ask your psychiatrist for an alternative that works better with you . Detailed Answer: Hi i am Dr Ahmed Aly thanks for using HealthcareMagic site , I had gone through your question and understand your concerns .. I hope you feel better soon i think you have an allergic reaction due to these side effects you mentioned in your given history , itching and burning is not a serious side effect but i think the tachycardia or increased heart rate is a side effect you might take concerns about . From your given history you mentioned taking benadryl which gives an antihistamine effect and decreases allergic reactions , lexapro is an antidepressant so it is contraindicated to use any kind of alcohols with it . although you can not stop it immediately to prevent withdrawal symptoms so you should decrease its dosing gradually. For your itching you may use cold showers with the benadryl will be fine , oatmeal soap or lotion will be helpful , i think you have to tell your physician about that tachycardia as it is a dangerous sign that may need a visit to the ER if became more frequent . You have to stop using alcohol while on that kind of medication or ask your psychiatrist to prescribe you an alternative drug that may cause no or lesser side effects ( that is the best solution in my opinion ) and tell him about these reactions . Benadryl is usually fine in most of mild to moderate allergic reactions but it will only help with your skin reactions and not your cardiac reactions which i think it is a dangerous reaction making your allergic reaction a severe type , high oxygenation and elevation of legs may be helpful during the attack . Please click and consider a 5 star rating with some positive feedback if the information was helpful. Wish you good health, Any further clarifications feel free to ask.