| Anyone here experienced more frequent cold sore outbreaks while on Lexapro? I have been getting them almost weekly (take Valtrex to keep them from coming out but sometimes they catch me by surprise). I am not stressed, I'm getting enough sleep, eating well, yet I still get them so much. The only variable is that I have been on Lexapro for 4 monnths or so. Doctor says it's not related but I can't help but wonder. |
| My husband has been on Lexapro for 7 years and he's never had a cold sore. |
| I started the generic Lexapro about a month ago. On average I would say I get 1-2 bad cold sore flares per year. Since starting the generic Lexapro last month, I've had three cold sores. I know that Lexapro works on your nerves and that is also where the cold sore virus hangs out. Could be related. I have both a dermatologist and phychologist appointment in the nest two weeks. I'll ask and see what they say. |
| Stay on a suppression 1x/daily dose of valtrex |
| I have...I used to get one every few years, since I've started lexapro I'm getting them several times a year I've noticed. In fact, that's how I found your question, by running a Google search on Lexapro and cold sores |
| I never made the connection until I saw this! I started Lexapro about a year ago, and since then I've had 4 or 5 outbreaks in that year alone, up from about 1 per year prior to taking it. I'm going to go research this, too... |
| Take lysene supplement daily |
Mine, too. I never knew that this could be a side effect. Sorry for OP and PPs that have had this issue. We've been very, very happy with this medication, so I hope you all can find a resolution. |
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Are you in the sun a lot, OP? That can bring them out too.
Second the poster who recommended taking Valtrex daily. Keeps colds away too! |
Maybe he's just not infected with herpes 1. |
That's my guess as I am on Lexapro and have never had a cold sore. |
| It's so frustrating. I am having this problem. Haven't had one in years, but have been on Lexapro for a couple of months. Have been popping Lysine and acyclovir and putting Zovirax cream AND Lysine cream on it, but this thing is persistent. |
| I’ve had the same experience as many of you! I started Cipralex a little under 3 months ago and have had 3 consecutive BAD coldsores. Every doctor I ask also says it’s not connected but I find that difficult to believe. This started one week after starting the Cipralex medication. I have just gotten over the third one and am doing everything I can to not bring on another one. I would hate to stop Cirpralex as it has been working wonders but I have decreased my dose in half in case there is a connection. I have also started taking daily Reishi supplement which is a mushroom used for building up your immune system-I highly recommend this along with Vitamin C!! |
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Hiya
I just googled lexapro and cold sores because this has been happening to me too. I know that the lexapro seems to dehydrate me a bit. If I’m dehydrated my lips get dry and then I get a cold sore. I know when I wasn’t taking lexapro that just having dry lips could bring them on.../so my theory is that the dehydrating effect of lexapro makes me more likely to get cold sores. I’m going to work out a way to see if I can remedy this, as I’ve just had two cold sores in a row!! So annoying!! Jacqui |
| Yes, I am having the same. Must be something in this for sure. |