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Dilated Pupils on Lexapro, Normal?!

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Posted 12/15/2015 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I just started my journey on Lexapro last night and had a side effect I wasn't expecting. about an hour after taking it (low dose, 5mg) my pupils were HUGE. I had really bad insomnia all night, barely slept and have a horrible headache today. My pupils are not dilated anymore, but of course my health anxiety is wondering if I had serotonin syndrome? I felt like absolute crap last night. I've been researching online "Dilated pupils and Lexapro" and it seems like this happens to a lot of people when they first start taking an SSRI.

Has this happened to anyone else, should I cut the dose in half??

Thanks!
Posted 12/15/2015 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
My startup on lexapro was hard, too. I had similar side effects my first week. 5mg is a low dose - but if you feel more comfortable taking half for the first week, I'd talk to your doctor and see what they think.
Posted 12/15/2015 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Okay thank you, I'll speak with my doctor and see what they say about splitting the dose. The pupil thing was just weird, but seems like it's probably a normal effect.
Posted 12/15/2015 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
SFP.,

Serotonin Syndrome is extremely rare, and seen when multiple Rx doses are at maximum doses...so you are not at all at risk.

Still, Glad to hear you will be contacting your doctor, so you can be reassured...and come up with a plan that is comfortable for you.:)

Wishing you the best! Keep us posted...

S.C.
Posted 12/15/2015 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
When I was doing research on lexapro, dilated pupils were one of the side effects mentioned by some:)
Posted 12/15/2015 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
I had the dilated pupil thingy for a few weeks then it went away, really freaked my wife out lol
Posted 12/16/2015 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I even was accused of being under the influence. It happened again when I increased my dose.
Posted 12/16/2015 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty sure the pupil dilation happens when your nervous system and noggin are stimulated by a new medicine.

Thinking you're just fine! ;)
Posted 12/16/2015 9:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Yes these symptoms could be caused by the Lexapro.

Lexapro is a very activating ssri so it's best to take it first thing in the morning and it can also increase anxiety in the first few weeks.

Hibee
Posted 12/16/2015 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Yes this is normal! I've been on and off Lexapro for 15 years and it still happens to me... more so when I skip a dose and continue the next day. But I've come to realize it's just a side effect and it doesn't scare me anymore. Stick with it, you'll be fine!
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