Lexapro Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

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# Lexapro

Generic name: escitalopram [ EE-sye-TAL-o-pram ]
Drug class: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on May 24, 2022.

## What is Lexapro?

Lexapro (escitalopram) is an antidepressant from the group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and is used to treat certain types of depression and anxiety. Lexapro works by balancing levels of serotonin in the brain and nerves.

## Warnings

You should not use Lexapro if you also take pimozide or citalopram (Celexa).

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

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Do not give Lexapro to anyone under 12 years.

Do not stop using Lexapro without first asking your doctor.

## Related/similar drugs

Trintellix, sertraline, trazodone, escitalopram, alprazolam, duloxetine, hydroxyzine

## Before taking this medicine

You should not use Lexapro if you are allergic to escitalopram or citalopram (Celexa), or if:

- you also take pimozide.

Do not use Lexapro within 14 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. These medicines may interact with escitalopram and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

To make sure Lexapro is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

- liver or kidney disease;

- seizures;

- low levels of sodium in your blood;

- heart disease, high blood pressure;

- a stroke;

- bleeding problems;

- sexual problems;

- bipolar disorder (manic depression); or

- drug addiction or suicidal thoughts.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Lexapro is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Ask your doctor about taking this medicine if you are pregnant. Taking an SSRI antidepressant during late pregnancy may cause serious medical complications in the baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not start or stop taking Lexapro without your doctor's advice.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of escitalopram on the baby.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice drowsiness, agitation, feeding problems, or poor weight gain in the nursing baby.

Lexapro pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

## How should I take Lexapro?

Take Lexapro exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. A child taking Lexapro should be checked for height and weight gain.

Tell your doctor if you have any changes in sexual function, such as loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, or (in men) problems with erections or ejaculation. Some sexual problems can be treated.

Do not stop using Lexapro suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Store Lexapro at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

## Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day; increase if necessary after at least 1 week of treatment to 20 mg once a day
Maintenance dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 20 mg orally once a day
Comment: Treatment should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for ongoing treatment; efficacy beyond 8 weeks has not been systematically studied.
Use: Acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day; increase if necessary after at least 1 week of treatment to 20 mg once a day
Maintenance dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day
Maximum dose: 20 mg orally once a day
Comments:
-Acute episodes may require several months or longer of sustained pharmacological therapy beyond response to the acute episode.
-Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment.
Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder

Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression:

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

Usual Pediatric Dose for Depression:

12 years and older:
-Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day; increase if necessary after at least 3 weeks of treatment to 20 mg once a day
-Maintenance dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 20 mg orally once a day
Comments:
-Acute episodes may require several months or longer of sustained pharmacological therapy beyond response to the acute episode.
-Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment.
Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder

Detailed Lexapro dosage information

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

## What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

## What to avoid

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. Using an NSAID with Lexapro may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Avoid alcohol.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

## Lexapro side effects

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

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

Lexapro may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once 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;

- pain or burning when you urinate;

- (in a child taking Lexapro) slow growth or weight gain;

- low levels of sodium in the body - headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady; or

- severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common side effects of Lexapro may include:

- painful urination;
- dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, weakness;
- feeling anxious or agitated;
- increased muscle movements, feeling shaky;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- sweating, dry mouth, increased thirst, loss of appetite;
- nausea, constipation;
- yawning;
- nosebleed, heavy menstrual periods; or
- decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Lexapro side effects (more detail)

## What other drugs will affect Lexapro?

Using Lexapro with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, especially a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven.

Many drugs may interact with escitalopram, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Lexapro drug interactions (more detail)

## Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Lexapro only for the indication prescribed.

## Popular FAQ

Why does Lexapro cause weight gain?

Lexapro may cause weight gain because it blocks the serotonin transporter, which increases levels of serotonin in the brain, but also increases appetite and decreases metabolism. Research has shown approximately 40% of people taking antidepressants such as Lexapro will gain 7% or more of their starting body weight. The weight gain experienced with Lexapro is a lot less than that reported with other antidepressants such as paroxetine, mirtazapine, or doxepin but more than fluoxetine. Continue reading

How long does it take for Lexapro to work?

Even though it takes Lexapro only a few hours to increase serotonin levels within the brain, it may take several weeks to start working. Signs that Lexapro has started working include an improvement in your sleep, energy, or appetite. In some, this may happen in as little as 1 to 2 weeks. Relief from symptoms, such as a depressed mood or a lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy, may take up to 6 to 8 weeks to fully improve. Continue reading

When is the best time to take Lexapro?

Lexapro is usually taken once a day and you can take it either in the morning or at night. Continue reading

### More FAQ

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View more FAQ

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### Related treatment guides

- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
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- Depression

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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