BRAND NAMES
SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS (SSRIs)
CITALOPRAM-
Celexa
ESCITALOPRAM-
Lexapro
FLUOXETINE-
Prozac,
Prozac Weekly, Sarafem
Symbyax
FLUVOXAMINE PAROXETINE-
Paxil,
Paxil CR SERTRALINE-
Zoloft
BASIC LEXAPRO INFO
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? Yes, for some Drug class: Antidepressant, antiobsessional agent, anti-anxiety agent.
LEXAPRO MEDICAL USES
Treatment for depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), panic disorder, social phobia, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Treats depressive episode of bipolar disorder.
MEDICAL DOSAGE & LEXAPRO USAGE
How to take
Lexapro:
- Capsule or tablet: Swallow Lexapro with water. Lexapro may be taken with or without food. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take with liquid or food.
- Oral disintegrating tablet: Dissolve in mouth.
- Oral solution: Follow instructions on label.
When to take Lexapro:
-
At the same time each day or weekly, usually in
the am.
- Ruvoxamine dosage might be twice daily.
If you forget a Lexapro dose:
- Take as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume normal schedule. Don't double this dose.
What Lexapro does:
Affects serotonin, one of the chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters that play a role in emotions and psychological disturbances.
Time lapse before Lexapro works:
- 1 to 4 weeks.
Don't take with:
-
Any other medicine or any dietary supplement
without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
 LEXAPRO OVERDOSE |
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 SYMPTOMS:
Dizziness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremor, heart rhythm disturbances. In rare cases, amnesia, coma and convulsions. |
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 LEXAPRO SIDE EFFECTS
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Life-threatening:
Rash, itchy skin, breathing problems, chest pain (allergic reaction).
Common Lexapro Side Effects:
Drowsiness, nausea, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, sores on lips or mouth, constipation or diarrhea, headache, anxiety, changes in sexual desire or function, insomnia, dry mouth, unusual weakness or tiredness.
Infrequent Lexapro Side Effects:
Vision changes,
confusion, apathy
(lack of emotion),
breathing difficulty,
chills, black or tarry
stools, fever, enlarged
lymph glands, heart
rhythm changes,
vomiting, skin rash
or itching.
Abdominal pain, loss
of appetite, yawning,
tingling, skin burning
or prickly feeling, stuffy
nose, change in
sense of taste, tooth
grinding, trembling,
increased saliva, gas
heartburn, sweating,
urinary changes, hair
loss, muscle or joint
pain, menstrual changes,
weight changes.
Rare Lexapro Side Effects:
Seizures
(convulsions). Abnormal bleeding
breast tenderness or
enlargement; red peel ing skin, red or irritated
eyes, sore throat, sudden
body or facial spasms,
dizziness, signs of low
blood sugar (anxiety,
chills, nervousness,
difficulty concentrating),
clumsiness.
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 | PRECAUTIONS
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Don't take Lexapro if:
- You are allergic to any SSRIs.
- You currently take (or took in the last two weeks) a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor.
Before you start, consult your doctor If:
- You have had kidney or liver problems.
- You have a history of seizure disorders.
- You have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
- You have a history of mood disorders, such as mania, or thoughts of suicide.
Over age 60:
-
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more severe and frequent than in younger patients; dosage may need to be adjusted.
Pregnancy:
-
Decide with your doctor if drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.
- Paroxetine (Paxil) may cause birth defects.
Breast-feeding:
-
Drugs pass into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine.
- Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.
Infants & children:
-
For children under age 18 use only with close medical supervision. Carefully read information provided with prescription.
- Contact doctor right away if depression symptoms get worse or there is any talk of suicide or suicide behaviors.
Prolonged use:
-
No problems expected. Your doctor should periodically evaluate your response to the drug and adjust the dose if necessary.
Skin & sunlight:
-
One or more drugs in this group may cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or ultraviolet light (photosensitivity reaction).
- Avoid overexposure.
- Notify doctor if reaction occurs.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
- Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you.
- Don't work around dangerous machinery.
- Don't climb ladders or work in high places.
- Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.
Discontinuing:
- Don't discontinue without consulting doctor.
- You may need to reduce the dose gradually to avoid side effects.
- After discontinuing the drug, call your doctor right away if any new or unusual symptoms develop (emotional or physical).
Others:
- Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
- Take drug only as directed.
- Do not increase or reduce dosage without doctor's approval.
- Adults and children taking antidepressants may experience a worsening of the depression symptoms and may display increased suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Call doctor right away if these symptoms or behaviors occur.
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