ADHD Medication and Treatment Reviews

Lexapro

Generic Name: escitalopram

By Janice Rodden
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What is Lexapro? What does Lexapro do?

Lexapro (generic name: escitalopram) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication taken orally that is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and adolescents over the age of 12, and to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and children over the age of 7.

Lexapro can relieve the following symptoms associated with depression:

  • sadness
  • difficulty sleeping
  • changes in appetite
  • low mood

Lexapro can also lessen the mental agitation and distress that characterize anxiety disorders.

The safety and effectiveness of Lexapro in children under age 7 has not been established. Physicians may recommend a reduced dose for adults over age 65.

Before starting or refilling a Lexapro prescription, read the medication guide included with your pills, as it may be updated with new information.

This guide on Lexapro should not replace a conversation with your doctor, who has a holistic view of your medical history, other diagnoses, and other prescriptions. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you begin taking Lexapro.

Lexapro Side Effects

The most common side effects of Lexapro are similar to those associated with other SSRIs, like Zoloft, and are as follows:

  • nausea
  • sleepiness
  • weakness
  • dizziness
  • anxiety
  • difficulty sleeping
  • sexual difficulty
  • sweating
  • shaking
  • changes in appetite
  • dry mouth
  • constipation
  • susceptibility to infection

Lexapro Side Effects in Children

Lexapro is not approved for use in children under 7. When taken by pediatric populations, side effects can include the following:

  • increased thirst
  • muscle twitching
  • nose bleeds
  • difficult urination
  • heavy menstrual periods
  • slowed growth rate

Taking Lexapro may impair your or your teenager’s ability to drive, operate machinery, or perform other potentially dangerous tasks. This side effect usually wears off with time. If side effects are bothersome, or do not go away, talk to your doctor.

Lexapro: Serious Side Effects

Serious side effects of Lexapro include the following:

  • increased risk of suicidality or manic episode
  • vision problems
  • seizures
  • changes in blood pressure

Patients should be monitored and observed closely for worsening depression, changes in behavior, or suicidality, especially when starting Lexapro or changing dosage.

Disclose to your physician all mental health issues including any family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, or mania. The FDA recommends evaluating patients for bipolar disorder prior to the administration of Lexapro to avoid inducing a manic episode.

Lexapro may create new or exacerbate existing behavior problems, bipolar disorder, or suicidal ideation, especially in the first few months of treatment or after a dosage change. Call your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences new or worsening mental health symptoms including reckless behavior, hallucinations, or sudden excessive happiness or irritability.

Discuss any bleeding disorders or irregular sodium levels with your doctor. Lexapro can cause abnormal bleeding for some patients, and low salt concentration in the blood. The elderly may be at greater risk for these problems.

Lexapro increases serotonin levels in the brain and can rarely lead to life-threatening serotonin syndrome or toxicity. Seek help immediately if you or your child experience any of the following symptoms after taking Lexapro:

  • changes in mental status
  • coordination problems
  • muscle twitching
  • racing heartbeat
  • high or low blood pressure
  • sweating
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

The above is not a complete list of potential side effects. If you notice any health changes not listed above after taking Lexapro, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Lexapro Precautions

Store Lexapro in a secure place out of the reach of children, and at room temperature. Do not share your Lexapro prescription with anyone, even another person with depression or anxiety. Sharing prescription medication is illegal, and can cause harm.

You should not take Lexapro if you have an allergy to escitalopram oxalate, citalopram hydrobromide, or any of the other ingredients in Lexapro.

You should not take Lexapro if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days or are taking the antipsychotic medication Orap; it can cause a serious, even life-threatening reaction.

You should use caution when taking any SSRIs, including Lexapro, and speak with your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, heart problems, seizures, bipolar disorder, low blood sodium levels, a history of stroke or high blood pressure, or a history of bleeding problems.

If you’re thinking of becoming pregnant, discuss the use of Lexapro with your doctor. It is not known if Lexapro can cause fetal harm during pregnancy. It is recommended that mothers do not nurse while taking Lexapro, as its safety for infants is unknown, and some Lexapro may pass into breast milk.

Lexapro: Dosing Information

As with all medications, follow your Lexapro prescription instructions exactly. Lexapro is taken orally, with or without food, once daily, in the morning or evening. It is available in two formulations.

  • Tablets should be swallowed whole with water or other liquids.
  • Oral solution should be measured with the included syringe and dispensed into water, orange juice or apple juice, stirred, then swallowed entirely.

The optimal dosage varies by patient health and age. If you are over 65 years of age, or have certain health conditions, your doctor may recommend a lower dosage.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Lexapro.

For updated information about dosages, interactions, and precautions, see the Lexapro drug monograph on WebMD.

Your doctor may incrementally adjust your daily dosage until you experience the best response — that is, until you find the lowest dosage at which you experience the greatest improvement in symptoms without side effects.

When discontinuing treatment, or decreasing dosage, patients should work with a doctor to gradually taper the level of medication.

Stopping Lexapro suddenly can create serious symptoms like the following:

  • anxiety
  • irritability
  • changes in mood
  • feelings of restlessness
  • difficulty sleeping
  • headache
  • sweating
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • electric shock-like sensations
  • shaking
  • confusion

Lexapro Interactions

Before taking Lexapro, discuss all other active prescription medications with your doctor. Lexapro can have a dangerous, possibly fatal, interaction with antidepressants including MAOIs, and the antipsychotic medication Orap.

Taking Lexapro while taking blood thinners like Coumadin, ibuprofen, or aspirin can increase the risk of abnormal bleeding.

Using Lexapro concurrently with medication that increases serotonin – like St. John’s wort, SSRIs, tryptophan, or street drugs like MDMA – can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Share a list of all vitamin or herbal supplements and prescription and non-prescription medications, you take with the pharmacist when you fill your prescription, especially any drugs that cause drowsiness. Let all doctors and physicians know you are taking Lexapro before having any surgery or laboratory tests.

The above is not a complete list of all possible drug interactions.

Lexapro and Other Medications: More Information

Sources:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=13bb8267-1cab-43e5-acae-55a4d957630a
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/04/briefing/2004-4065b1-22-tab11C-Lexapro-Tabs-SLR015.pdf