A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects.
Rare side effects of Lexapro may include: Coma. Decreased urine output. Increased eye sensitivity.
Due to side effects during the first few weeks of treatment, some say that Lexapro can make you feel worse at first. Side effects usually start to subside after about two weeks, so know that feeling “worse” doesn't last very long.
WARNING: Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents and young adults taking antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders.
Lexapro is the brand name of generic escitalopram. It is a serotonin-specific or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant which only affects serotonin levels in the brain.
Do not use escitalopram with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, St. John's wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®).
If you're taking antidepressant medication and you either feel unusually elated, or you become very terse with your loved ones, feel noticeably more irritable, or have an uncharacteristic bout of rage, then it's likely that your antidepressant dose is too high.
You may experience side effects during your first week on Lexapro, including anxiety, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, headaches, and nausea. These effects usually dissipate as your body adjusts to your medication.
How long can you take Lexapro? If this is your first episode of depression, your doctor may prescribe Lexapro for a set period, for example, 6 months to a year. Some people with persistent depression may need to take it for many years. There are no known problems when Lexapro is taken long-term.
Buspirone. This anti-anxiety medication may treat short- or long-term anxiety symptoms. Buspirone (BuSpar) works much more slowly than benzodiazepines and may not treat all types of anxiety disorder, but it causes fewer side effects and has a lower risk of dependency.
Some of the most common other side effects of Lexapro include: decreased libido. excessive sleepiness. decreased appetite.
If you haven't noticed any improvements after using an antidepressant for two months or longer, it may be a sign that your medication isn't right for you, or that you need to adjust your dosage. Your healthcare provider may switch you to a different type of medication or adjust your dosage to provide better results.
Lexapro increases serotonin levels in the brain, helping regulate mood.
Most people who take antidepressants don't need to cut out caffeine completely, says Dr. Netherton. But it's important to pay attention to how much caffeine you're getting throughout the day and how it's making you feel.
But if you're taking antidepressants, it's worth keeping close tabs on your caffeine consumption. Antidepressants and caffeine can both have an effect on brain chemistry, and adding too much of the latter on top of your meds can leave you feeling lousy.
Lexapro is no exception, so you should not expect to immediately feel better after starting treatment. In fact, you may even feel worse initially. When you start taking Lexapro, you may find that your anxiety symptoms get worse before getting better.
These drugs — including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, and Lexapro — alter the way the body handles the “feel-good” brain chemical serotonin — a hormone responsible for regulating mood and happiness. As a result, things that once provoked strong reactions may now leave the same individual unaffected or even apathetic.
Lexapro weight gain can be a common side effect, but it doesn't impact everyone who takes this medication. Multiple studies conclude that SSRIs like Lexapro can result in weight gain. However, it varies from person to person depending on individual factors such as age, lifestyle habits, diet, and activity level.
Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, feeling nervous, restless, fatigue, or having trouble sleeping (insomnia). These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication.
Escitalopram is used to treat depression and anxiety. It works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (serotonin) in the brain. Escitalopram belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).