Lexapro

Lexapro is a type of anti-depressant called an SSRI.http://www.drugs.com/lexapro.htmlSSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and this sort of medication works to balance brain chemistry in order to help with depression and anxiety.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ssris/MH00066Once prescribed to you, take only the dosage that is stated on the label and your prescription. It is best to take the pill with a glass of water and at the same time each day. If you miss a dose, take one as soon as you can, but if it's close to the next time you would normally take a dose, just take that later one. Lexapro, like most anti-depressants, takes about 4 to 6 weeks for any changes to be noticed. You must not stop taking your medication without first consulting your doctor.http://www.drugs.com/lexapro.html

Lexapro has been studied successfully in clinical trials using groups of more than 1,000 patients. Between Lexapro and a placebo, each given to random participants, Lexapro was much more effective.http://depression.about.com/cs/escitalopram/a/lexapro.htmMany of these people started to feel the effects in just a couple of weeks, although the medication can take longer than that.http://www.healthyplace.com/lexapro/patient-center/use/menu-id-1862/These trials also concluded that most adults dealt with the medication very well, and only a small percentage experienced any side effects at all.http://www.healthyplace.com/lexapro/patient-center/lexapro-faqs-side-effects-of-lexapro/menu-id-73/

Although side effects are fairly uncommon with Lexapro, they are possible. Here is a list of some potential side effects from most common to least common:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Ejaculation problems
• Extreme tiredness
• Insomnia
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Sweating
• Diarrhea
• Decreased sex drive
• Orgasm problems
• Constipation
• Dizziness

Anywhere from 5% to 14% of people experienced one or more of these side effects during testing.http://depression.emedtv.com/lexapro/lexapro-side-effects.html

There are some serious side effects associated with Lexapro. If you experience any of the side effects, consult your physician immediately.

• Unusual excitement
• Hallucinations
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fever
• Sweating
• Confusion
• Severe muscle stiffnesshttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000214
  
  

You should take certain precautions before taking Lexapro. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medication such as lithium, Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, blood thinners or any over the counter medicines you regularly use. While on Lexapro, ask your doctor before taking any sort of pain medicine.http://www.drugs.com/lexapro.htmlYou may also want to avoid using this prescription while pregnant or breast feeding.http://www.drugs.com/pregnancy/escitalopram.html

Get in touch with your physician immediately if you have sudden mood changes, heightened anxiety or panic attacks, aggression, or thoughts of suicide. When first taking Lexapro, some people have found themselves with thoughts of suicide, so regular check-ups with your doctor are necessary during these first few weeks.http://www.drugs.com/lexapro.html

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.