What is Lexapro
Lexapro (escitalopram) is a potent SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) that can be used by people diagnosed with generalized anxiety disBuy and depression. Its effects are based on boosting the amounts of serotonin in the brain and restoring the required balance of chemicals.
How to use Medicine
This drug sis available as a tablet and solution for oral administration. You will need to take it regularly for maximum benefits and make sure you follow all the recommendations provided. Before you feel the full benefits of Lexapro some time may pass – sometimes up to 4 weeks. Make sure you carry on taking this drug for as long as recommended, as otherwise you will not get full benefits of the treatment.
Since this drug is an antidepressant, you need to be very careful when starting to take it for the first time. In soma case patients younger than 24 experiences serious side effects that had to do with their behavior and mood changes. These changes are though to be more likely in patients of this age group – so if you are younger than 24 your health care provider will want to see you regularly. This drug is not intended for patients younger than 12, although the doctor can make such a decision if the child needs this kind of treatment and there are no other alternatives. The following symptoms need to be watched for, as they may indicate the treatment is not going as planned: worsening depression, panic attacks, agitation, irritability, restlessness, aggressive behavior, insomnia, as well as suicidal thoughts or attempts. The risk of developing such symptoms is higher if you have a history of bipolar disBuy running in your family, as well as history of suicidal thoughts. If you ever had an allergic reaction to escitalopram or citalopram, you are not supposed to be taking Lexapro, as the same reaction is likely to happen again.
Precautions and Contraindications
Your health care provider needs to know if you are taking pimozide or some monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. You are not supposed to combine the meds mentioned with Lexapro, and at least 14 days are supposed to pass between the two doses. Any other drugs you are taking at the moment can affect the success of your treatment, so make sure you report them, especially if they belong to any of the following classes: anticoagulants, medications for anxiety or mental illness, seizure medications, migraine headaches medications, metoprolol, sedatives, antidepressants, antihistamines, aspirin and any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, carbamazepine, cimetidine, tranquilizers, tramadol, sleeping pills, or sibutramine. If you are taking some medicines or supplements that are not on the list, but you think they may in some way interfere with your treatment – report the fact of taking them to your doctor as well.
When taking Lexapro for a long time, some people can develop an addiction to this medication. This happens because your body gets used to receiving a certain amount of the medication and later is unable to live without it. The mechanism is similar to that of a drug user getting addicted to some drug. However, if you take Lexapro the right way you will not experience any problems withdrawing from the treatment. Do not stop taking Lexapro suddenly, as severe withdrawal symptoms are possible. The following are most typical withdrawal symptoms: irritability, agitation, mood changes, numbness or tingling, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, tiredness, difficulty falling asleep, and headache.
Is an overdose of Lexapro possible?
Symptoms of Lexapro overdose may include dizziness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness, fast or pounding heartbeat, seizures, confusion, and coma. You need to report these symptoms to your local emergency center if you have taken too much of this medicine.
Side effects
While taking this medication you may experience some mild side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, impotence, drowsiness, dizziness, heartburn, stomach pain, dry mouth, increased appetite, and flu-like symptoms. These symptoms are not supposed to be reported to your doctor unless they become bothersome. More serious side effects that you to report as soon as you notice them include hallucinations, seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating), severe muscle stiffness, fever, confusion, and fast or irregular heartbeat.
Dosages
5, 10, 20 mg
Quantity
30, 60, 90, 180 pills
Related Categories:
Antidepressants
Related Medications:
Paxil
