Lexapro (escitalopram)

Generic name: escitalopram 
Name of the brand: Lexapro
Class of drug: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

What is Lexapro?

Lexapro (escitalopram) is an antidepressant that belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Escitalopram can alter the amount of certain chemical substances in the brain, which can be altered in patients who suffer from anxiety or depression.

Lexapro is prescribed to treat major depressive disorder that affects adolescents and adults aged 12 or more years.

Lexapro can also be used for treating anxiety in adults.

Warnings

The Lexapro medication should not be used in conjunction with Pimozide and citalopram (Celexa).

Do not take Lexapro for the next 14 days prior to or 14 days following the time you’ve taken an MAO inhibitor, for example, isocarboxazid linezolid blue injection, or phenelzine rasagiline and selegiline. tranylcypromine.¶

Many young people are prone to thoughts of suicide while they first start taking antidepressants. Keep an eye on fluctuations in mood and the symptoms. Inform your doctor if you notice any changes or worsening symptoms to your physician.

• You should seek medical attention now if you are experiencing symptoms of serotonin syndrome like hallucinations, agitation, sweating chills, shivering, rapid heart rate stiffness of muscles and twitching, loss of coordination nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Don’t offer Lexapro to anyone younger than 12 years of age.
• Don’t stop taking Lexapro without consulting your physician.

 

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor.

It is not recommended to take Lexapro in the event that you are allergic to citalopram or escitalopram. 

Do not take Lexapro in the 14-day period prior to or 14 days following the time the last time you used the MAO inhibitor. A potentially dangerous interaction with a drug could happen. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid linezolid, phenelzine and selegiline, rasagiline, and tranylcypromine.

Check with your physician whether you are also taking stimulant medicines, opioid medications, and herbal products or medication to treat mental illness, depression such as Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, severe infection, or for the prevention of nausea or vomiting. These medications may interfere with escitalopram and create serotonin syndrome, a serious illness. syndrome.

To be sure Lexapro is suitable for you, inform your doctor if previously had:

• kidney or liver disease;
• seizures;
• Low levels of sodium in your blood.
• heart disease high blood pressure, chest pain
• A stroke;
• bleeding issues;
• Sexual problems;
• the bipolar disorder (manic depression) 
• Suicidal or drug-related thoughts.

Many young people are prone to thoughts of suicide after they first start taking antidepressants. Your doctor should be able to check your progress on a regular basis. Your family members and other caregivers should be aware of changes in your symptoms or mood.

Lexapro is not permitted for use by any person who is younger than.

Talk to your doctor about this medication when you are pregnant. Taking an SSRI antidepressant at the end of pregnancy can result in serious medical issues for the infant. You could also experience the possibility of relapsing with depression when you quit using your antidepressant. Inform your doctor immediately in case you become pregnant. Do not begin and stop using Lexapro without consulting with your physician.

If you’re pregnant then your name might be added to the registry for pregnancy to monitor any effects that escitalopram may have on the infant.

If you’re nursing, consult your physician in case you notice any drowsiness issues with feeding, agitation, or weight loss that is not satisfactory during the breastfeeding baby’s.

How to take Lexapro?

You should take Lexapro exactly as directed by your physician. Follow all instructions on your prescription label, and go through all the medication guides or instructions sheets. The doctor might alter your dosage.

The medicine should be taken daily at the same time every day, whether with or without eating.

Take care when measuring liquid medicines. Utilize the dosing syringe that comes with a dosage-measuring device (not an ordinary spoon).

It can take as long as 4 weeks before you notice improvement. Continue to take the medication according to instructions and notify your physician if your symptoms don’t improve.

Your doctor should monitor your improvement regularly. Children taking Lexapro is advised to be examined for weight gain and height.

Inform your doctor if you notice any changes in your sexual functioning, such as loss of interest in sexual sex and difficulty in having an orgasm as well as (in males) issues with erections or ejaculation. Certain sexual issues are treatable.

Do not stop taking Lexapro at once or you may experience uncomfortable withdrawal effects. Follow the instructions of your physician about increasing your dosage.

Storage Lexapro in a cool, dry place, far from heat and humidity.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

Initial dosage: 10 mg taken daily orally; Increase if needed within a minimum of one week of treatment, to 20 mg once daily
Dosage for maintenance of 10-20 mg once orally every day
Maximum dosage 20 mg taken orally, every day, once

Comment: Treatment needs to be regularly reviewed to determine the necessity for continued treatment. The efficacy of treatment beyond 8 weeks hasn’t been studied in a systematic manner.

Treatment: A short-term treatment for generalized anxiety disorders

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Initial dosage: 10 mg orally daily; increase as needed after one week of treatment. Then, increase to 20 mg once per day
Dosage for maintenance of 10-20 mg once orally every day
Maximum dosage 20 mg taken orally, every day, once

Comments:
Acute episodes can require months or even years of treatment with pharmacological drugs beyond the response to symptoms of acute.
Patients should be evaluated regularly to determine if they require maintenance treatment.

Treatment: The acute or regular treatment for major depressive disorder

Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression:

The recommended dose is 10 mg taken orally, once a day

Utilization: An acute and regular treatment for major depression disorder

Usual Pediatric Dose for Depression:

Age 12 and over:
Initial dosage: 10 mg daily orally; Increase if needed within 3 weeks of treatment. The dose can be increased to 20 mg once per day
Dose for maintenance 10-20 mg taken orally, once per day
Maximum dose 20 mg, orally at least once per day.

Comments:
Acute episodes can require months or even years of treatment with pharmacological drugs beyond the response to an acute episodic.
Patients should be assessed regularly to determine if they require regular treatment.

Treatment: The acute or ongoing treatment of major depression disorder

Detailed Lexapro dosage information

How do I deal with it if do omit a dose?

You should take the medication as quickly as you are able, but avoid your missed dosage if you are close to the time of the next dose. Don’t take two doses at a time.

If I take too much?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact toll-free the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Things to avoid

Talk to your doctor prior to using a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) like Ibuprofen, aspirin (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) or celecoxib (Celebrex) diclofenac indomethacin, and meloxicam among other. Utilizing an NSAID along with Lexapro can cause bleeding or bruises easily.

Avoid alcohol.

Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you understand the effects of this medication on your body. The way you react could be impaired.

Lexapro side effects

Contact a medical professional immediately If you notice symptoms of an allergy reaction to Lexapro: skin rash or hives; breathing difficulty or breathing; swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.

If you notice any new or deteriorating symptoms to your physician for example change in behavior or mood such as anxiety, panic attacks, or trouble sleeping. You should also tell your doctor when you are feeling uncontrollably angry, irritable and aggressive, anxious, hyperactive (mentally as well as physically) or depressed or are contemplating suicide or harming yourself.

Contact your doctor immediately If you suffer from:

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye swelling or pain, or the appearance of halos around lights
• racing thoughts, risk-taking behavior, emotions of extreme sadness or happiness;
• burning or pain during urination;
• (in the case of a child on Lexapro in child) loss of weight or slow-growing
• Low levels of sodium within the body such as headache and confused speech, confusion extreme weakness, vomiting, losing control, feeling unstable, or
• extreme nervous system reactions extremely hard (rigid) muscles and sweating, high fever, and confusion, rapid or irregular heartbeats, or a sensation that makes you feel like you may faint.

You should seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms of serotonin syndrome for example hallucinations, agitation sweating, and shivering. You may also experience a rapid heart rate muscles stiffness or twitching. Also, you may experience nausea vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea.

Common Lexapro adverse effects could include:

• Painful urination;
• dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, weakness;
• experiencing anxiety or feeling agitated;
• Increased muscle movement, feeling shaking;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• Dry mouth, sweating excessive thirst eating loss;
• nausea, constipation;
• yawning;
• nosebleed, heavy menstrual periods; or
• reduced sex drive, infertility, or difficulty in having an orgasm.

This isn’t a complete list of all side effects. others could happen. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report symptoms to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

What other medications can impact Lexapro?

Making use of Lexapro along with other medicines that cause you to become drowsy could cause more of this. Talk to your doctor prior to using opioids, sleeping pills such as a muscle relaxer, or medication to treat seizures or anxiety.

Inform your doctor of all the medications you take including blood thinners like warfarin, Coumadin or Jantoven.

Certain drugs can interfere with escitalopram, and some medications should not be used together simultaneously. Discuss with your doctor all the medications you currently take and all medications you begin or stop taking.