What is Lexapro?
Lexapro is a prescription drug used to treat symptoms of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Lexapro may be used on its own or with other medicines.Lexapro is a class of drugs called an
Lexapro Uses
Lexapro is used for treating depression and anxiety. It works by helping to restore the balance of a natural substance (serotonin) in the brain. Escitalopram is from the class of drugs that are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). It can improve your energy and well-being and reduce your nervousness.
How to use
- Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking escitalopram and every time you refill.
- Take this medicine orally with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once a day in the morning or evening. The dosage depends on your medical condition, treatment response, age, and other medications that you may be taking.
- If you are using the liquid form of this medicine, carefully measure your dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not have the right dose.
- Your doctor may direct you to start taking this medicine at a low dose and gradually increase your dose to reduce your risk of side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not increase your dose or use this medicine more or more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve more quickly, and your risk of side effects will increase. Take this medicine regularly to get the most out of it. take it at the same time every day.
- Keep taking this medicine even if you are feeling good. Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine without consultation with your doctor. Some conditions might start to get worsening when the drug is suddenly stopped.
- You may also experience symptoms such as mood swings, headache, tiredness, sleep changes, and short, electrical shock-like feelings. To prevent these symptoms while you stop taking this medicine, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Report your doctor if any new or worsening of symptoms happen.
- It may take 1 to 2 weeks to feel the benefit of this medicine and 4 weeks to feel the full benefit of this medicine.
Lexapro Side effects
- Blurred vision
- Tunnel vision
- Eye pain or swelling
- Seeing halos around lights
- Racing thoughts
- Unusual risk-taking behavior
- Feelings of extreme happiness or sadness
- Headache
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Severe weakness
- Vomiting
- Loss of coordination
- Feeling unsteady
- Stiff (rigid) muscles
- High fever
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Fast or uneven heartbeat
- Tremors
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Sweating
- Feeling shaky or anxious
- Sleep problems
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Yawning
- Weight changes
- Decreased sex drive
- Impotence
Precautions
- Before taking escitalopram, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other problems. Please talk to your pharmacist for more details.
- Before using this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, in particular: personal or family history of bipolar/manic-depressive disorder, personal or family history of suicide attempts, liver disease, seizures, intestinal ulcers/bleeding (peptic ulcer disease) or bleeding problems, low blood sodium (hyponatremia), personal or family history of glaucoma (angle-closure type).
- The liquid form of this medicine may contain sugar and/or aspartame. Warnings are advised if you have diabetes, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to reduce or avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for the safe use of this medicine.
- Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine, such as QT prolongation, loss of coordination, or bleeding. They may also be more likely to lose too much salt (hyponatremia), especially if water pills are also used with this medicine. Loss of coordination may increase the risk of a decline.
- Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, particularly loss of appetite and weight loss. Monitor weight and height in children who are taking this medicine.
- This medicine should be used while pregnant when it is obviously needed. It could harm an unborn child. Also, infants born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may rarely develop withdrawal symptoms such as feeding/breathing difficulties, seizures, muscle stiffness, or constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn baby, tell your doctor immediately.
- Since untreated mental/health problems (such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder) can be a serious condition, do not stop using this medicine unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, talk to your doctor immediately about the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy.
- This medicine may pass into the breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Before breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
Lexapro vs Zolof
Basis |
Lexapro |
Zoloft |
|---|---|---|
| What is the generic drug | Escitalopram | Sertraline |
| What forms does it come in? | Oral tablet, oral solution | Oral tablet, oral solution |
| What strengths does it come in? | Tablet: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg solution - 1 mg/mL | Tablet: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mgsolution- 20 mg/mL |
| Who can take it? | People 12 years and older | People 18 years and older |
| Dosage | Determined by your doctor | Determined by your doctor |
| Length of treatment? | Long-term | Long-term |
| How to store | Store it at room temperature away from excess heat or moisture | Store it at room temperature away from excess heat or moisture |
| Risk of withdrawal with this drug | Yes | Yes |
