What is Lexapro?

Q: What are the common side effects of Lexapro?

Blurred vision, Tunnel vision, Eye pain or swelling, Seeing halos around lights, Racing thoughts, Unusual risk-taking behavior, Feelings of extreme happiness or sadness, Headache, Confusion, Slurred speech, Severe weakness, Vomiting.

Q: Is Lexapro the same as Xanax?

No, both Lexapro and Xanax are not similar. Lexapro is an SSRI drug for depression and anxiety that is taken once a day. Xanax is a benzodiazepine that can be used for anxiety and panic disorders up to 3 or 4 times per day.

Lexapro is a prescription medication used to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It can be used alone or with other medications. Lexapro belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Lexapro Uses

Lexapro is primarily used to treat depression and anxiety by helping to restore the balance of serotonin in the brain. It can improve energy levels, and overall well-being and reduce nervousness.

How to Use Lexapro

Read Instructions: Read the Medication Guide and Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking Lexapro and each time you get a refill.
Dosage: Take this medicine orally with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once a day in the morning or evening.
Liquid Form: If using the liquid form, measure your dose with a special device/spoon, not a household spoon.
Start Low: Your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase it to reduce the risk of side effects.
Consistency: Take Lexapro at the same time each day for the best effect. Do not increase your dose or take it more frequently than prescribed.
Do Not Stop Abruptly: Continue taking this medicine even if you feel well. Stopping suddenly can worsen your condition or cause withdrawal symptoms.

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Lexapro Side Effects

Common side effects include:

Blurred vision
Tunnel vision
Eye pain or swelling
Seeing halos around lights
Racing thoughts
Unusual risk-taking behavior
Headache
Confusion
Slurred speech
Severe weakness
Vomiting
Loss of coordination
Feeling unsteady
Stiff (rigid) muscles
High fever
Sweating
Confusion
Fast or uneven heartbeat
Tremors
Lightheadedness
Drowsiness
Weakness
Sweating
Feeling shaky or anxious
Sleep problems (insomnia)
Dry mouth
Nausea
Constipation
Yawning
Weight changes
Decreased sex drive
Impotence

Precautions

Before taking Lexapro, inform your doctor if you have any allergies or medical history of:

Bipolar disorder
Suicide attempts
Liver disease
Seizures
Bleeding problems
Low blood sodium (hyponatremia)
Glaucoma

Additional Considerations:

The liquid form may contain sugar/aspartame; consult your doctor if you have diabetes or PKU.
Older adults may be more sensitive to side effects like QT prolongation, loss of coordination, or bleeding.
Children may experience loss of appetite and weight loss.
Use during pregnancy should be discussed with your doctor due to potential risks to the unborn child.

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Lexapro vs. Zoloft

Basis	Lexapro	Zoloft
Generic Name	Escitalopram	Sertraline
Forms	Oral tablet, solution	Oral tablet, solution
Strengths	Tablet: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg<br>Solution: 1 mg/mL	Tablet: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg<br>Solution: 20 mg/mL
Age Range	12 years and older	18 years and older
Dosage	Determined by doctor	Determined by doctor
Treatment Duration	Long-term	Long-term
Storage	Room temperature, away from heat and moisture	Room temperature, away from heat and moisture
Withdrawal Risk	Yes	Yes

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Citations

An open-label study of escitalopram (Lexapro®) for the treatment of ‘Depression of Alzheimer's disease’ (dAD)

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Lexapro used for?

Lexapro is a prescription drug used to treat symptoms of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Lexapro may be used on its own or with other medicines.Lexapro is a class of drugs called antidepressants, SSRIs.

2. What are the common side effects of Lexapro?

Blurred vision
Tunnel vision
Eye pain or swelling
Seeing halos around lights
Racing thoughts
Unusual risk-taking behavior
Feelings of extreme happiness or sadness
Headache
Confusion
Slurred speech
Severe weakness
Vomiting

3. Is Lexapro good for anxiety?

Lexapro (escitalopram) is good for the treatment of depression and anxiety. It is generally well-tolerated and has fewer drug interactions than other antidepressants.

4. Is Lexapro the same as Xanax?

No, Both Lexapro and Xanax are not similar. Lexapro is an SSRI drug for depression and anxiety that is taken once a day. Xanax is a benzodiazepine that can be used for anxiety and panic disorders up to 3 or 4 times per day.

5. Is it better to take Lexapro in the morning or at night?

Escitalopram can be taken at any time of day as long as you take it at the same time every day. It's best to take it first thing in the morning if you have trouble sleeping.

6. Can you lose weight on Lexapro?

Lexapro might be able to help you recover your appetite if it helps you conquer your depression. You can lose or gain some weight in turn. But this effect has more to do with the condition than with the drug's side effects.

7. Why is Lexapro bad for you?

Lexapro can lead to a disorder of impotence and ejaculation. Celexa and Lexapro both have the ability to cause even more severe side effects. Abnormal bleeding, seizures and vision issues are severe side effects. A black box warning for an increased risk of suicide is required by the FDA on drug labels.

8. Can Lexapro cause weight gain?

When taking Lexapro, an individual can gain weight. For various reasons, this can happen. Lexapro increases serotonin, which plays a part in weight management. The drug may increase the appetite directly, or as their depression or anxiety decreases, a person may begin to eat more.

9. How long does Lexapro take to start working?

Within the first 1-2 weeks, sleep, energy, and appetite can all improve. A significant early indication that the drug is working may be a change in these physical symptoms. It can take up to 6-8 weeks to completely boost the depressed mood and loss of interest in activities.

10. Is Lexapro a mood stabilizer?

Lexapro is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is selective (SSRI). SSRIs function to retain higher serotonin levels in the brain by slowing the reabsorption of serotonin back into nerve cells. Serotonin is a hormone that aids in the control of mood, pleasure, and well-being.

11. Does Lexapro cause memory loss?

Escitalopram, like Lexapro, is a well-tolerated drug. The medical community may view it as one that slows down the brain's functioning. It is not related to short-term memory loss, and its effects on the brain are not concrete in different study findings.

12. Is Lexapro harmful to your heart?

Researchers claim that some, but not all, antidepressant drugs are known as SSRIs pose a very small but severe heart risk. According to a new study the drugs citalopram and escitalopram can cause heart rhythm disturbances.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.