Review of Lexapro

Lexapro - What is it?

Lexapro is an antidepressant among a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Lexapro has an effect on brain’s chemicals that might have become unstable and result in depression or anxiety.

Lexapro is used in the treatment of anxiety in adults as well as major depressive disorder in case of adults and adolescents above the age of 12 years.

Lexapro could be used for other purposes than what is mentioned in this medication guide.

Lexapro - Important information

Lexapro should not be taken together with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for instance phenelzine (Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), rasagiline (Azilect), tranylcypromine (Parnate) or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam).. You have to wait for a minimum period of 14 days after stopping the use of an MAOI before Lexapro could be taken. Also, after quitting the use of Lexapro, you should wait for a period of at least 14 days before you can take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor.

Your suicidal thoughts could become more when you initially start taking an antidepressant, particularly if you are younger than 24 years. Your doctor will require checking you regularly, especially for the first 12 weeks of treatment using Lexapro.

Immediate medical attention is required if you experience any new or worsening symptoms for instance, mood changes, anxiety, behavior changes, panic attacks, difficulty in sleeping, or in case you are feeling reckless, agitated, irritable, hostile, restless, violent, hyperactive (physically or mentally), have suicidal thoughts or are more depressed. SSRI antidepressants might lead to serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies where the mothers took this medication during their pregnancy. Though, you might have a relapse of depression in case you stop having your antidepressants while pregnant. In case you are planning to get pregnant or are become pregnant whilst taking Lexapro, do not quit taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is unsafe to buy Lexapro on the Internet or from sellers who are outside the United States. Drugs that are distributed from online sales could have harmful ingredients, or might not be from a licensed pharmacy. Some of the samples of Lexapro that was purchased online were tested to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a powerful antipsychotic drug which has harmful side effects.

Lexapro - Before taking it

Before you start taking Lexapro, inform your doctor if you are allergic to any medication or have:

* liver or kidney disease;
* a history of drug abuse or suicidal tendency or thoughts;
* epilepsy;
* seizures; or
* bipolar disorder (manic depression).

In case you suffer from any of the above mentioned conditions, you require an adjustment of your Lexapro dose or undergo special tests to verify if Lexapro is safe for you.

Your suicidal thoughts could become more when you initially start taking an antidepressant, particularly if you are younger than 24 years. Inform your doctor if the symptom of depression or having suicidal thoughts worsens in the initial weeks of treatment, or when your dosage is modified.

Your caregivers or family must also remain watchful to your mood changes and symptoms. Your doctor will require checking you regularly, especially for the first 12 weeks of treatment using Lexapro.

This is categorized by the FDA as a pregnancy category C. SSRI antidepressants might lead to serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies where the mothers took this medication during their pregnancy. Though, you might have a relapse of depression in case you stop having your antidepressants while pregnant. In case you are planning to get pregnant or are become pregnant whilst taking Lexapro, do not quit taking the medication without consulting your doctor. Escitalopram could pass through breast milk and can cause harm to a breast-fed baby. If you are breast feeding, do not take this medication without consulting your doctor first. Lexapro should not be given to a person who is below 12 years without the recommendation of a doctor.

Lexapro - How should it be taken?

Lexapro should be taken precisely as it was prescribed. Never adjust the dosage of the medication or take it for longer periods than what has been recommended by your doctor. Your doctor might occasionally modify your dosage to ensure you get the maximum results from the medication.

Lexapro dose can be taken with water.

Attempt to take the dose each day at the same time. The directions mentioned on the prescription label should be followed.

To ensure you take the correct dose of liquid Lexapro, measure it medicine cup or marked measuring spoon and not from a regular table spoon. In case you do not have dose-measuring device, get it from your pharmacist.

You may take 4 or more weeks to start feeling better. You should not quit taking Lexapro without consulting your doctor first. You might experience harmful side effects if you quit using this drug suddenly. Lexapro should be stored at room temperature and kept away from heat and moisture.

Lexapro – Missed dose

In case you miss a dose, it can be taken immediately on remembering. But, if it nearly the time for the next dose, you can skip the missed dose and continue with the scheduled dose. You should not take an extra dose to make up the missed dosage.

Lexapro – Overdose

You should seek immediate medical attention if you believe you have taken an overdose of Lexapro as an overdose of this drug could be fatal. The symptoms of Lexapro overdose could include nausea, tremor, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, sweating, seizures, confusion, and coma.

Lexapro - What to avoid when taking it?

Inform your doctor before you take any drug for arthritis, pain, swelling or fever. It could be aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for instance naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diclofenac (Voltaren), piroxicam (Feldene), indomethacin, nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), or others. Using these medicines along with escitalopram could cause bruising or bleeding.

Do not consume alcohol when taking Lexapro. This drug could increase the alcohol effects. Lexapro could have side effects that might impair your thinking capacity or reactions. You should exercise caution if you are driving or need to anything that requires you to stay awake and attentive.

Inform your doctor of all other medication you regularly take, especially drugs that make you drowsy, for instance any cold medication, allergy medicine, sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxers, and drugs for anxiety or seizures. These medications could increase the sleep effects of Lexapro.

Lexapro - Side effects

You should seek immediate medical help in case you experience any of these signs of allergic reactions – difficulty in breathing; hives or rashes; swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.

Seek medical attention in case you experience any of the mentioned serious side effects:

* stiff muscles, sweating, high fever, uneven or fast heartbeats, overactive reflexes or tremors;
* nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, unsteady, decreased coordination; or
* difficulty in concentrating, headache, memory problems, confusion, weakness, hallucinations, seizure, fainting, shallow breathing.

Some of the less serious side effects of using Lexapro could be:

* sleepiness, faintness;
* lack of sleep (insomnia);
* nausea, heartburn, gas, constipation, upset stomach;
* changes in weight or appetite
* decreased libido, impotence, or trouble having an orgasm; or
* yawning, ringing in your ears or dry mouth.

There may be side effects that are not listed here. Consult your doctor if experience any side effects to seek medical advice. You could also report side effects to FDA at the number 1-800-FDA-1088.

Lexapro – Other drug interactions

Inform your doctor before you take any drug for arthritis, pain, swelling or fever. It could be aspirin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diclofenac (Voltaren), piroxicam (Feldene), indomethacin, nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), or others. Using these medicines along with Lexapro could cause bruising or bleeding.

Before taking Lexapro, inform your doctor if you are taking the following drugs:

* carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
* lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
* cimetidine (Tagamet);
* a blood thinner for example warfarin (Coumadin);
* any other antidepressant for instance amitriptyline (Elavil), escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), imipramine (Tofranil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil) or nortriptyline (Pamelor); or
* almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), rizatriptan (Maxalt), naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig) or sumatriptan (Imitrex).

In case you are taking any of the above mentioned drugs, you cannot take Lexapro or would require dosage modification or special tests during treatment.

There might be other medicines that are not mentioned here that could interact with Lexapro. Inform your doctor of all the prescription as well as over the counter medications you are taking, including herbal supplements, vitamins, medications prescribed by other doctors and minerals. You should not begin taking a new medication without consulting your doctor first.

Lexapro - Where could I get more information?

Any questions you have regarding Lexapro, ask your pharmacist.

Lexapro - What does it look like?

Escitalopram is available under the brand name of Lexapro and can be obtained only with a prescription. Generic formulations and other brands may also be available. You can ask any questions regarding this medication to your pharmacist, particularly if it is new to you.

* Lexapro 5 mg - round, white tablets
* Lexapro 10 mg - round, white tablets
* Lexapro 20 mg - round, white tablets
* Lexapro 5 mg/5 ml - peppermint-flavored, oral solution

Bear in mind to keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children, not the share any drugs with others and use Lexapro only for the prescribed indication.

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