Why lexapro is prescribed

Lexapro: What to Know About Each. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Drug features at a glance. Brand name Prozac Lexapro What is the generic drug? Cost, availability, and insurance. Side effects. Drug interactions. Use with other medical conditions. Talk with your doctor. Read this next. A Day in the Life of Someone with Social Anxiety Social anxiety can have a huge impact on your work as well as your social life.

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Medically reviewed by Karin Gepp, PsyD. What Are the Benefits of Sunlight? Mental Health Resources. Some cases have been life threatening. To date, there are no known problems associated with long term use of escitalopram. It is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Escitalopram should not be taken with or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs.

Escitalopram may increase the effects of other medications that can cause bleeding e. Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to weeks to fully improve. Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide.

This risk may persist until significant remission occurs. In short-term studies, antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults when compared to placebo. Short-term studies did not show an increase in the risk of suicidality with antidepressants compared to placebo in adults beyond age Adults age 65 and older taking antidepressants have a decreased risk of suicidality.

Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their health care provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.

Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions.

Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein.

Search Close Menu. Sign In About Mental Illness. About Mental Illness Treatments. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause?

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of escitalopram and increase your dose after 1 week. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking escitalopram, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to escitalopram, citalopram Celexa , any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the tablets or solution. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.

Your doctor will probably tell you not to take escitalopram. If you stop taking escitalopram, you should wait at least 14 days before you start to take an MAO inhibitor.

You should not take these two medications together. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. John's wort or tryptophan. If you become pregnant while taking escitalopram, call your doctor. Escitalopram may cause problems in newborns following delivery if it is taken during the last months of pregnancy.

Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Trending Categories. All-time Popular Posts. How do narcissists control you? Narcissist manipulation techniques. I Hate My Parents.

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