Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression.
The following information is intended to supplement, not
substitute, the expertise and judgment of your physician,
pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be
construed to indicate that using Lexapro is safe or appropriate
for you.
People seeking depression relief should carefully evaluate Lexapro
information and side effects before deciding to take Lexapro.
Consult your healthcare professional before using escitalopram.
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What is Lexapro used for? Escitalopram is in a class of
drugs called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRI). Lexapro is used to relieve symptoms of
depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
General Lexapro Precautions:
_ You may have an allergic reaction to escitalopram if you have
had an allergic reaction to citalopram (Celexa).
_ Lexapro may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid
driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities.
_ Rise slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position to
prevent dizziness or possible falls.
_ Do not take Lexapro if you have taken a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) within the last 14 days. A dangerous drug
interaction can occur if Lexapro is combined with MAO inhibitors.
_ It is not known whether Lexapro will harm an unborn baby or a
nursing baby.
_ Lexapro may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Patients
using escitalopram should exercise caution until they have adapted
to therapy.
_ If you skip the missed dose and take only the next one as
directed. Do not take a double dose of Lexapro. Overdose is
possible.
FDA Warnings for Lexapro: The FDA issued a public health
alert for Lexapro in March 2004 warning that Lexapro can lead to
deeper depression and suicide. The FDA recommends that health care
providers warn patients, their families and their caregivers to be
alert for agitation, irritability, suicide and worsening
depression while using Lexapro. The FDA also recommends that
health care providers closely monitor adult and children treated
with escitalopram for worsening of depression or suicidal
tendencies, especially at the beginning of therapy or when the
dose either increases or decreases.
Lexapro can cause serious side effects.
Weight gain and
sexual dysfunction
are common Lexapro side effects.
Less common but life threatening is the increased risk of
suicide. Addiction and
subsequent withdrawal symptoms
also rank on the list of serious Lexapro side effects.
Only you can decide if this drug medication is
the best means of treating depression symptoms. It is important
for people currently taking antidepressants to discuss side effect
concerns with their physician. People wishing to avoid the side
effects of pharmaceutical antidepressants have choices for safe
and effective natural
antidepressants.
Lexapro Side Effects:
_ Agitation.
_ Irritability.
_ Deepened depression.
_ Increased risk of suicide.
_ Decreased sex drive.
_ Impotence.
_ Difficulty reaching orgasm.
_ Fast or irregular heartbeat or pulse.
_ High blood pressure.
_ Low blood pressure.
_ Nervousness.
_ Anxiety.
_ Dizziness.
_ Weakness.
_ Headache.
_ Blurred vision.
_ Chills or fever.
_ Tremors.
_ Changes in appetite or weight.
_ Diarrhea.
_ Sleeplessness or insomnia.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience: An
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives). Stop taking
Luvox and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency
medical treatment if you also experience a fast or irregular
heartbeat, high blood pressure (blurred vision, headache), low
blood pressure (dizziness, weakness), chills or fever. Contact
your doctor immediately if you experience yellowing of the skin or
eyes.
Before taking escitalopram, tell your doctor if you have or
ever had:
_ Seizures.
_ Liver disease.
_ Kidney disease.
_ A history of mania or bipolar disorder.
_ Suicidal thoughts.
_ Allergic reaction to citalopram (Celexa).
What should I avoid while taking this medication?
_ Use alcohol cautiously while taking Lexapro. Alcohol may
increase drowsiness and dizziness.
Symptoms of overdose may include: Symptoms of Lexapro
overdose include seizures, tremor, nausea, vomiting, agitation,
drowsiness, hyperactivity or enlarged pupils.
What other drugs will affect escitalopram? Lexapro can
increase the effects of many other drugs, leading to serious side
effects. If taking Lexapro, talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Do
not take escitalopram with the following medicines without your
doctor’s approval:
_ Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI).
_ Other antidepressants.
_ Seizure medication including carbamazepine or felbamate.
_ Stomach medication including cimetidine, ranitidine, or
omeprazole.
_ Antibiotics including erythromycin or clarithromycin.
_ Antifungal medications including fluconazole, itraconazole, or
ketoconazole.
_ Migraine medications including almotriptan, eletriptan,
frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, or
zolmitriptan.
_ Asthma medication including zafirlukast.
_ Lithium.
_ Drugs other than the above listed may also interact with Lexapro.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription,
over-the-counter medicines or natural supplements.
*This antidepressant drug information does not endorse Lexapro,
diagnose patients or recommend therapy. The information contained
herein is not intended to cover all possible warnings, uses,
precautions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse
side effects of Lexapro. If you have questions about the drugs you
are taking, check with your health care provider or pharmacist.
The information provided should not be construed to indicate that
Lexapro is safe, effective or appropriate.
Do not stop taking escitalopram without first talking to your
doctor. Your doctor may need to gradually reduce the dose before
stopping completely. Suddenly stopping Lexapro may cause
unpleasant and potentially serious side effects.
