Lexapro (Escitalopram Oxalate)
Brand Names: Lexapro
Related Medications: Anafranil, Aptensio XR, Concerta, Desyrel, Forfivo XL, Intuniv, Librax, Lithobid, Luvox, Luvox CR, Niravam, Parnate, Pexeva, Pristiq, Prozac, Ritalin, Thorazine, Trintellix, Viibryd, Vivactil, Vraylar, Vyvanse, Zenzedi, Zoloft
Important Lexapro Uses and Warnings
Nowadays, Lexapro is approved to be taken to treat anxiety and depression, and it belongs to a class of meds called SSRIs, which are also used to treat
panic attacks and OCD, but Lexapro shouldn’t be taken for the same purpose.
Warnings That All Patients Should Know
Some users may develop specific withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking this medicine abruptly, including tingling, dizziness, vivid dreams, mood
changes, unusual tiredness, irritability, etc. To avoid them it’s advisable to lower Lexapro doses and stop taking it abruptly. Besides, this medicine,
just like other SSRIs, may increase the likelihood of having suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially when it comes to minors, so they should be closely
monitored by doctors for clinical worsening, unusual behavioral changes and suicidality.
Possible Adverse Effects
Some patients who take Lexapro may develop unwanted symptoms, such as:
Most of these side effects are quite rare and mild, but there is still a risk of developing more serious symptoms, including:
Recommended Doses
For most patients, their initial Lexapro dosage to treat depression is 10 mg taken once a day either in the evening or in the morning, but this dose can be
increased. In general, it takes up to a few weeks to notice the benefits of this treatment. For those people who want to treat anxiety it is the same, and
this medicine can be taken both with and without food.
Drug Combinations to Avoid
Just like other SSRIs, Lexapro shouldn’t be combined with MAO inhibitors and other medications that work by inhibiting monoamine oxidase because their
combinations may result in such negative effects as fever, tremors, hypertension, confusion, increased activity, etc. Moreover, Lexapro shouldn’t be taken
together with the meds that work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, including Tramadol, triptans and lithium. Patients should understand that
this medicine may increase the risk of developing gastrointestinal bleeding if they also use warfarin, NSAIDs, aspirin and other similar pills.
How Lexapro Functions
This oral medication is available as standard pills and oral solutions taken to treat anxiety and depression. It acts by affecting neurotransmitters in
patients’ brain, thus, treating these health conditions. Its use prevents the reuptake of serotonin, which leads to accumulation of more serotonin in the
brain. The FDA approved the intake of Lexapro for this purpose almost 15 years ago.