Type: SSRI
Active ingredient: Escitalopram
Common use: Lexapro is a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) chiefly used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
How to use: Unless otherwise ordered by your doctor, Lexapro can be take with or without food.
It can take several weeks before Lexapro reaches its full effect. It is important to keep taking the medicine even if you do not notice any immediate improvement. It also important to continue to take Lexapro even when you feel well. Do not stop taking Lexapro without consulting your doctor. It is safer to gradually decrease the dose of Lexapro than to stop abruptly.
If you miss a dose of Lexapro, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose permanently and stick to your regular dosing schedule. Do no take two doses at once or near each other in time.
How to store: Store Lexapro at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, and keep away from heat, light and moisture.
Warnings:
- Do not take Lexapro if you are allergic to Escitalopram or to any other of the ingredients.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction to Lexapro. Examples of symptoms of an allergic reaction to Lexapro are rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe stomach pain, unusually slow or fast heartbeat, chest pain or seizures.
- Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience increased sweating, change in the amount of urine, fatigue, changes in sexual ability, changes in sexual interest, prolonged erections, painful erections, vision changes, tremors, unusual mood changes, muscle cramps, or restlessness.
- It is important to keep all doctor appointments and laboratory appointments during treatment with Lexapro.
- Lexapro can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine.
- Other medicines (prescription medicine as well as over-the-counter medicine) can impact your reaction to Lexapro. Do not take Lexapro together with any other medicine without consulting your doctor first.
- Alcohol, even in small amounts, can impact your reaction to Lexapro. Lexapro will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Drinking alcohol while using Lexapro is not recommended.
- Caution is advised for the elderly, since they may be more sensitive to the effects of Lexapro.
- If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits of Lexapro. with your doctor. The risks usually outweighs the benefits for the third trimester.
- Lexapro is excreted in breast milk. Breastfeeding while being treated with Lexapro is not recommended.
Examples of reported side-effects of Lexapro:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
- Loss of appetite
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Back pain
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Fatigue
- Changes in sexual interest
- Changes in sexual ability
- Painful or prolonged erection
- Abdominal pain
- Vision changes
- Unusually slow heartbeat
- Unusually fast heartbeat
- Tremors
- Chest pain
- Unusual or severe mood changes
- Muscle cramps
- Restlessness
- Seizures
- Change in amount of urine
- Rash
- Itching
- Swelling
- Trouble breathing