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.
Lexapro Directions?
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.
Lexapro 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.
Lexapro Warnings?
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.
Lexapro Drug Interactions?
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.
Lexapro Missed 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.
Lexapro Storage?
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 About Lexapro?
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).
