Lexapro works by boosting levels of serotonin, one of the
chief chemical messengers in the brain. The drug is a close
chemical cousin of the antidepressant medication Celexa. Other
antidepressants that work by raising serotonin levels include
Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.
Most
important fact about this Drug
Do not take Lexapro for 2 weeks before or after taking any
drug classified as an MAO inhibitor. Drugs in this category
include the antidepressants Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate.
Combining these drugs with Lexapro can cause serious and even
fatal reactions marked by such symptoms as fever, rigidity,
twitching, and agitation leading to delirium and coma.
How Is It Used?
Take Lexapro exactly as prescribed, even
after you begin to feel better. Although improvement usually
begins within 1 to 4 weeks, treatment typically continues
for several months. Lexapro is available in tablet and liquid
forms and can be taken with or without food.
Are There Possible
Side Effects?
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If
any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon
as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe
to continue using Lexapro.
- More common side effects may include:
Constipation, decreased appetite, decreased sex drive, diarrhea,
dizziness, dry mouth, ejaculation disorder, fatigue, flu-like
symptoms, impotence, indigestion, insomnia, nausea, runny
nose, sinusitis, sleepiness, sweating
- Less common side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, abnormal dreaming, allergic reactions, blurred
vision, bronchitis, chest pain, coughing, earache, fever,
gas, heartburn, high blood pressure, hot flushes, increased
appetite, irritability, joint pain, lack of concentration,
lack of energy, lack of orgasm, light-headedness, menstrual
cramps, migraine, muscle pain, nasal congestion, neck and
shoulder pain, pain in arms or legs, palpitations, rash,
ringing in the ears, sinus congestion, sinus headache, stomachache,
tingling, toothache, tremors, urinary problems, vertigo,
vomiting, weight changes, yawning.
A variety of very rare side effects have
also been reported. Check with your doctor if you develop any
new or unusual symptoms. Why
should this drug not be prescribed?
You'll be unable to use Lexapro if it causes
an allergic reaction, or if you've ever had an allergic reaction
to the related drug Celexa. Remember, too, that you must never
take Lexapro while taking an MAO inhibitor such as Marplan,
Nardil, or Parnate.
Special warnings
about this medication
Lexapro makes some people sleepy. Until
you know how the drug affects you, use caution when driving
a car or operating other hazardous machinery.
In rare cases, Lexapro can trigger mania (unreasonably high
spirits and excess energy). If you've ever had this problem,
be sure to let the doctor know.
Also make sure that the doctor knows if you have liver problems
or severe kidney disease. Your dosage may need adjustment.
What
About Interactions With Other Drugs?
Do not use Lexapro if you are taking the
related drug Celexa. Be sure to avoid MAO inhibitors when
taking Lexapro. Although Lexapro does not interact with alcohol,
the manufacturer recommends avoiding alcoholic beverages.
If Lexapro is taken with certain other drugs, the effects
of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is
especially important to check with your doctor before combining
Lexapro with the following:
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
- Drugs that act on the brain, including antidepressants,
painkillers, sedatives, and tranquilizers
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- Lithium (Eskalith)
- Metoprolol (Lopressor)
- Narcotic painkillers
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
What If I Miss A
Dose?
Take the forgotten dose as soon as you
remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the one you missed and return to your regular schedule.
Do not take two doses at once.
How Should It Be
Stored?
Store at room temperature.
Special information
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant,
inform your doctor immediately. Lexapro should be taken during
pregnancy only if its benefits outweigh potential risk.
Lexapro appears in breast milk and can affect a nursing infant.
If you decide to breastfeed, Lexapro is not recommended.
Recommended Dosage
ADULTS
The recommended dose of Lexapro tablets
or oral solution is 10 milligrams once a day. If necessary,
the doctor may increase the dose to 20 milligrams after a
minimum of 1 week, but the higher dose is not recommended
for most older adults and people with liver problems.
In case of emergency/overdose
A massive overdose of Lexapro can be fatal.
If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency treatment immediately.
- Typical symptoms of Lexapro overdose include:
Dizziness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremors, drowsiness,
rapid heartbeat, seizures
In rare cases, an overdose may also cause
memory loss, confusion, coma, breathing problems, muscle wasting,
irregular heartbeat, and a bluish tinge to the skin.
NOTE: The above
information is intended to supplement, not substitute for,
the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist,
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed
to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate,
or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional
before taking the product. |
