Typical Brand Name(s): Lexapros
What Is It Used For?
Lexapro is an anti-depressant from the family of drugs known as
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. Lexapro helps
to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply
of a substance in the brain called serotonin. Lexapro appears
to relieve depression by increasing serotonin without affecting
many of the other chemicals in the brain that influence mood.
How Is It Used?
Simple 10 mg/day starting dose for all patients. LEXAPRO should
be taken once daily. It may be taken with or without food, in
the morning or evening. In order to avoid missing a dose remember
to fill prescriptions ahead of time. To get optimum results, it
is important to follow all of your healthcare provider's instructions
about how and when you should take LEXAPRO.
Are There Possible Side Effects?
LEXAPRO is well tolerated by most people. The most commonly reported
side effects of LEXAPRO are nausea, insomnia, problems with ejaculation,
drowsiness, increased sweating, and fatigue. Most of the side
effects experienced by patients taking LEXAPRO are mild and go
away with continued treatment, and usually do not cause patients
to stop taking LEXAPRO.
Is It Safe?
LEXAPRO can be taken with most other medications except another
family of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs). LEXAPRO and MAOIs should not be taken together or within
14 days of each other. Before you begin taking LEXAPRO, make sure
to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medications,
including over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, diet
supplements, etc.
What About Interactions With Other Drugs?
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction
to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. SEVERAL
WEEKS MAY PASS before this medicine reaches its full effect. Do
not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor.
Some conditions may become worse if the medicine is suddenly stopped.
Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects
when the medicine is stopped. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS
while you are taking this medicine. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR
CONDITION is recommended at the start of treatment with this medicine
and whenever a change to your dose is made. If you experience
anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability,
hostility, impulsive feelings, severe restlessness, or worsening
of depression contact your doctor as soon as possible. These may
be signs that your condition is worsening or that your treatment
with this medicine should be evaluated. If you are a parent or
caregiver of a patient that is taking this medicine, it is important
for you to watch for these symptoms. Contact the doctor as soon
as possible if any of these symptoms occur. Contact your doctor
for more information. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE drowsiness or dizziness.
DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD
BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using
this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may
lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous
tasks. THIS MEDICINE WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of alcohol and other
depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which
medicines are depressants. Use of alcohol while taking this medicine
is not recommended. Talk with your doctor about the use of alcohol
with this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE,
either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor
or pharmacist. This includes any medicines that contain drowsiness-causing
ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of these products.
CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because
they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. CAUTION
IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN because they may
be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. F0R WOMEN:
IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the
benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy, especially
during the third trimester. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST
MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
What If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed
dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose
of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
How Should It Be Stored?
Store it at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Lexapro is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors. Lexapro affects chemicals in the brain that may become
unbalanced and cause depression. Lexapro is used in the treatment
of depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
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.
