Hi Ron. I was on citalopram (Cipramil), which is related. However that does not mean it would always have the same effects and side-effects. Cipramil was about 80% effective in my case for the depression but it made me feel a bit irritable and aggressive.
About the blood in the phlegm: do your best to find out the cause. If the X-Ray is clear, it does not tell you the cause. It just gives you some reassurance but there must be a reason. It may not be from you lung; it could be coming from anywhere including the nose so push for a cause. I hope the escitalopram works well for you.

Ron, I have been on escitalopram 20 mg for 10 years. It is the remaining medication, after 24 years, of a series of antidepression meds I was prescribed to curb my symptoms of anxiety and depression. From 2008 until 2014, when I was the sole caregiver for my wife, who suffered from vascular dementia, I was prescribed Klonopin, Valium, escitalopram, alprazolam, bupropion, and Ambien. Amazingly, I was never in a drugged haze, and I was able to get 4 hours of sleep a night. After she died, on Thanksgiving Day, 2014, I continued the meds for 6 months, when I had open heart surgery, and started being weaned from all of the drugs, except the escitalopram, over the next year. I have never noticed any adverse effects, and only take it about every other day.

I mostly had sexual side effects, such as erectile dysfunction

I'm on it right now. It is working well for me with no side effects. You need to tell your Dr. asap about your physical concerns. Have you Googled side-effects for it? I would and read up on the known side-effects.

Listen to your body, it won't steer u wrong. If there is blood coming from some where it's not suppose to b then there's a problem that needs to b fixed. And push the fact till something is found.
My sis had breast cancer, went into remission. 2 yrs later I thought she was coming down with pneumonia.I took her to the doctor and he gave her meds for bronchitis on a Friday. She hadn't got a bit better I thought, so I took her to the emergency room. With x-rays and tests, they found her cancer had moved to her lungs.
Your body will tell u things if u listen to it.