Lexapro Rare Side Effects

Psychiatrists prescribe Lexapro to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI. Psychiatrists and physicians prescribe these drugs most commonly to treat depression. As with other SSRIs, various side effects can occur when taking Lexapro. Some side effects, such as gastrointestinal complaints and headache, are fairly common. Others rarely occur. Learning about the rare but possible side effects of Lexapro can help to know what to expect from treatment and what to discuss with a doctor.

A woman flying through a meadow and smelling a flower. This could be characterized as abnormal dreaming. (Image: Kladyk/iStock/Getty Images)

Autonomic Nervous System Side Effects

In a large clinical trial reported by RxList, a small number of patients taking Lexapro for either depression or anxiety experienced side effects related to the autonomic nervous system. One of these side effects was dry mouth, or decreased excretion of saliva. Unlike other side effects, dry mouth most often persists throughout treatment rather than subsiding as many other side effects do. A small percentage of patients experienced the unusual side effect of hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. People taking Lexapro infrequently experience a burning or tingling sensation, usually in the extremities, called paresthesia, according to EmedTV.com. The sensation seems to occur suddenly and can be bothersome for some people.

Psychiatric Side Effects

Several psychiatric side effects occasionally develop. RxList reports a low incidence of patients taking Lexapro experiencing "abnormal dreaming." Dreams may increase or become especially vivid, intense, disturbing or otherwise unusual. Certain people experience a decreased appetite while taking Lexapro, which may or may not cause weight loss. Another rare side effect during treatment is either insomnia or sleepiness. Patients taking Lexapro for anxiety ran a higher risk of both of these types of sleep disturbances.

Respiratory System Side Effects

Some of the rarest reported side effects include respiratory system disturbances. These include stuffy nose and sinusitis, reported by 5 percent or less of study participants. A more unusual and rare side effect that arises for some is yawning. People who experience this feel a chronic and compelling urge to yawn, or to make a yawning-like intake of air. Statistically insignificant but possible respiratory side effects also include bronchitis, coughing and sinus headache.