But like all drugs, it may cause side effects. Some of these may only be bothersome, while others may be severe and impact your health. Learning about the side effects can help you decide if the drug is right for you. Lexapro is a prescription drug. The medication belongs to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs.
It works by increasing the amount of the chemical serotonin in your brain. Having more serotonin helps decrease the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Lexapro is not considered a monoamine oxidase inhibitor MAOI. MAOIs work by slowing down the breakdown of serotonin and dopamine, another chemical in your brain. This also helps alleviate symptoms of depression.
SSRIs, including Lexapro, are tolerated well compared to other types of antidepressants. In general, you may have more side effects if you take a higher dosage of the drug. At a high dosage, Lexapro is more likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as diarrhea. The side effects of Lexapro seem to be the same in both men and women. The side effects are slightly different for adults and children. There have been some cases of decreased appetite and weight loss with the use of Lexapro in children and adolescents.
People with depression tend to have a low appetite and reduced body weight. In adults, some sources say Lexapro may cause a small amount of weight gain. However, if you gain weight, your weight may just be evening out because your depression is better managed and your appetite has returned. The increase in serotonin may lead to loss of appetite. Most of these side effects are mild. They should eventually go away on their own without treatment.
Lexapro may increase suicidal thoughts or actions. This risk is higher in in children, teenagers, or young adults. This is more likely to happen within the first few months of treatment or during dosage changes. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms, or call or local emergency services if the symptoms are new, worse, or worrisome:.
Lexapro can also cause other serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Symptoms can include:. There have been reports of some people having seizures while taking Lexapro. People with a history of seizures are at higher risk. They may decrease the benefits e. If an overdose occurs, call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, feeling nervous, restless, fatigue, or having trouble sleeping insomnia.
These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication. Sexual side effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay often do not diminish over time. Low sodium blood levels symptoms of low sodium levels may include headache, weakness, difficulty concentrating and remembering , teeth grinding, angle closure glaucoma symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around eye , serotonin syndrome symptoms may include shivering, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death , seizure.
SSRI antidepressants including escitalopram may increase the risk of bleeding events. Combined use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e.
This may include symptoms such as gums that bleed more easily, nose bleed, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Some cases have been life threatening. To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of escitalopram. It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Escitalopram should not be taken with or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs. Escitalopram may increase the effects of other medications that can cause bleeding e.
Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to weeks to fully improve. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide.
This risk may persist until significant remission occurs. In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age Adults age 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality.
Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their health care provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.
Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists.
This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein.
The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein. List of Partners vendors. Lexapro is the trademark name for the generic drug escitalopram, which is a type of antidepressant medication. It belongs to a group of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRI that were first introduced in the s.
These medications are generally effective and have fewer side effects than some of the older antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs. Lexapro, which comes in pill or liquid form, is used today to treat a variety of mental health conditions. It is not known exactly how Lexapro works to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
However, we know that this medication has an effect on serotonin, which is a brain neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and other bodily functions. It is thought that Lexapro helps balance serotonin levels in the brain. This can reduce anxiety and enhance mood. Lexapro was initially used only to treat depression. However, research showed that it was also effective for other mood disorders as well as for anxiety disorders.
Lexapro is prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorder, depressive disorders, and other mood disorders, sometimes in combination with other medications.
Generally, you must have a diagnosis of a mental health disorder before your doctor prescribes Lexapro for you. Your primary care physician can write a prescription. But the process may be better handled by a mental health professional who can also prescribe medication, such as a psychiatrist.
Prior to starting the medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic or hypersensitive to escitalopram or are pregnant or breastfeeding. It's also important to alert your doctor if you have a history of any of the following medical conditions, which may be exacerbated by Lexapro:.
Talk to your doctor about all medications, supplements, and vitamins that you currently take. While some drugs pose minor interaction risks, others may outright contraindicate use or prompt careful consideration as to whether the pros of treatment outweigh the cons in your case.
There are many precautions involved when taking Lexapro. You can reduce potential risks by being aware of who should not take this medication, potential medication interactions, and the black box warning. Lexapro is not safe for everyone. Certain people should not take Lexapro or take with caution, including:. According to a black box warning the strictest warning for prescription drugs issued by the FDA , taking Lexapro can result in an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, particularly in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Close monitoring by your psychiatrist or doctor is important particularly if you are an adolescent or young adult taking Lexapro. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call Lexapro is an allosteric serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which differentiates it from other SSRIs. It is generally well-tolerated and effective.
Lexapro tablets are available in 5 milligram mg , 10 mg, and 20 mg strengths. The 10 and 20 mg tablets are scored and can be cut in half. The oral solution comes in a strength of 1 mg per milliliter mL. The usual recommended daily dosage of Lexapro is 10 mg, but you may begin at a lower dose and increased slowly if needed. The manufacturer recommended doses of Lexapro are:. If you are experiencing the first episode of depression or anxiety, you may take Lexapro for a defined period such as between six months and one year.
However, for individuals experiencing a chronic mental health condition, it may be necessary to take Lexapro for an extended period over many years. All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturer. Check your prescription and talk to your doctor to make sure you are taking the right dose for you.
While there are not specific modified dose recommendations for Lexapro, the medication should be take with caution if you are older or have a major medical illness that affects your metabolism, such as kidney or liver disease. If this is the case, your health care provider may adjust your dose as necessary to reduce any related side effects.
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