Lexapro – what is it for, how to take it and contraindications!

ByKathy Graham

Lexapro ( escitalopram) is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) it affects chemicals in the brain that can be unbalanced in people with depression or anxiety . In addition, this medicine is used to treat anxiety in adults and is also used to treat major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents at least 12 years of age.

Do not use lexapro within 14 days before or 14 days after using an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Some young people have thoughts of suicide when taking an antidepressant. Watch for changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

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Seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, chills, rapid heart rate, muscle stiffness, muscle spasms, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Do not give lexapro to children under 12.

What is lexapro:

Lexapro is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In addition, it  affects chemicals in the brain that can become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety .

It is used to treat anxiety in adults and major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents at least 12 years of age and  may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

How to take lexapro?

 Take lexapro exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not take this medication in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You can take this medicine with or without food. So try to take the medicine at the same time every day. Measure the liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose measuring device, ask your pharmacist.

It may take up to 4 weeks for symptoms to improve. Continue using lexapro as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. Do not stop using Lexapro  suddenly, or you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor’s instructions to reduce your dose.

Lexapro dosage:

Adult dose for depression:

  • Initial dose: 10 mg orally once daily; increase if necessary after at least 1 week of treatment to 20 mg once daily
  • maintenance: 10 to 20 mg orally once daily
  • maximum: 20 mg orally once daily
  • Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder.

Acute episodes may require several months or more of prolonged pharmacological medication. therapy in addition to the response to the acute episode. Patients should be reassessed periodically to determine the need for maintenance treatment.

Usual geriatric dose for depression:

  • Recommended dose: 10 mg orally once daily
  • Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder

Dose for depression:

12 years and older:

  • initial: 10 mg orally once daily; increase if necessary after at least 3 weeks of treatment to 20 mg once daily.
  • maintenance: 10 to 20 mg orally once daily.
  • maximum: 20 mg orally once daily.
  • Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder.

Acute episodes may require several months or more of sustained drug therapy in addition to responding to the acute episode. Patients should be reassessed periodically to determine the need for maintenance treatment.

Precautions before taking lexapro:

You should not use this medication  if you are allergic.

Some medications can interact with lexapro and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

Make sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medications, opioid medications. Herbal products or remedies for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraines , serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting .

Ask your doctor before making any changes to how or when you take your medications. To make sure lexapro is safe for you, tell your doctor if you’ve ever had:

  • Liver or kidney disease;
  • Seizures ;
  • Low levels of sodium in the blood;
  • Heart disease, high blood pressure ;
  • spill ;
  • A bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
  • Bipolar disorder (depressive mania);
  • Drug addiction or suicidal thoughts.

Some young people have thoughts of suicide when taking an antidepressant. Therefore, your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be aware of changes in your mood or symptoms.

Taking an SSRI antidepressant while pregnant can cause serious lung problems or other complications in the baby. However, you can have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant.

Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking lexapro . Do not start or stop taking this medication during pregnancy without your doctor’s advice. Also, this medicine  can pass into breast milk and can harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

What happens if I miss a dose of lexapro?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

What to avoid while taking lexapro?

 Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain, arthritis, fever or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam and others. Therefore, using an NSAID with this medication can cause injury or bleeding easily.

Drinking alcohol with this medication can cause side effects. Also, lexapro can impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Lexapro side effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to this medication: rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Therefore, report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety , panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or mentally). physically), more depressed, or having thoughts about suicide or harming yourself.

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Call your doctor right away if you have:

  • Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights
  • Racing thoughts , unusual risk-taking behavior, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
  • Low sodium levels in the body – headache , confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady or
  • Severe nervous system reaction – very stiff (stiff) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

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