Indications for Generic Lexapro
Lexapro or escitalopram oxalate is an antidepressant which works through boosting
the levels of serotonin, one of the brain’s chief chemical messengers.
Some similar drugs include citalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine and sertraline.
Lexapro is generally prescribed for the treatment of major depression, which
is a condition characterized by having a persistently low mood which interferes
with daily activities or functioning. In order for depression to be considered
as major depression, it should occur almost every day for two weeks or more
and usually includes at least five of these symptoms: low mood, significant
weight or appetite changes, loss of interest in doing daily activities, change
in sleep patterns, fatigue, agitation or lethargy, feelings of guilt or feelings
of worthlessness, lack of concentration, slowed thinking and suicidal thoughts.
Lexapro can also be used for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder,
which is a condition characterized by extreme worry and anxiety which is difficult
to control, interfering with daily functioning. In order to be diagnosed with
generalized anxiety disorder, you should be experiencing three or more of the
following symptoms for six months or more:
restlessness, poor concentration, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances
and muscle tension.
Lexapro may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Important Information about Generic Lexapro
If you have an allergy to escitalopram oxalate or to similar drugs and medications,
you would be unable to use Lexapro.
You should not take Lexapro if you have taken an MAOI or a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor in the last two weeks or if you would be taking an MAOI within the
next two weeks. Examples of MAOIs include phenelzine and tranylcypromine. The
combination of these drugs with Lexapro could be fatal and are marked by symptoms
including fever, twitching, rigidity and agitation which can lead to coma and
delirium.
There have been clinical studies conducted which showed taking an antidepressant
such as Lexapro increased the risk of having suicidal thoughts in children and
adolescents which have already been diagnosed with depression or other psychiatric
disorders. It is important to consider this before prescribing Lexapro to anyone
who us below 18 years of age.
While you are taking Lexapro, your doctor might require you to come in for
regular checkups to make sure that the medication is helping to improve your
condition. Any worsening of symptoms should be reported immediately.
Lexapro can cause sleepiness. Make sure to avoid driving or doing anything
that would require your alertness until you know how the drug affects you.
There are some rare cases when Lexapro triggered mania or excess or unreasonably
high spirits. If you have ever experienced this, make sure to inform your doctor.
Make sure to tell your doctor of any special medical conditions that you are
being treated for such as liver disease or severe kidney disease. If you have
any of these, your dose might have to be altered.
Being a serotonin-boosting antidepressant, Lexapro could potentially cause
stomach bleeding, particularly in older people and in those who are taking nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs like aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen and ketoprofen.
Make sure to tell your doctor of any other drugs that you are taking, especially
carbamazepine, cimetidine, sedatives, painkillers, desipramine, tranquilizers,
linezolid, ketoconazole, lithium, metoprolol, sumatriptan and warfarin.
You should not stop taking Lexapro without checking with your doctor first.
Doing this could cause withdrawal symptoms including mood problems, lethargy,
tingling sensations and insomnia.
Dosage and Administration of Generic Lexapro
You should only take Lexapro as it has been prescribed for you by your physician.
Continue taking it for the entire duration of the recommended treatment, even
when you are already feeling better. Although you would be able to feel an improvement
within one to four weeks, the treatment should be continued for several months
to get the full benefit of the medication.
Lexapro comes in both tablet and liquid forms. Each dose can be administered
with or without meals.
If you miss a dose of Lexapro, make sure to take it once you remember; but
if the next dose is almost up, you could just skip that dose and then just take
the next regularly scheduled one. You should never double your dose or take
additional doses to make up for a dose that you have missed.
If you overdose on Lexapro, get emergency medical help right away. Some symptoms
of an overdose include dizziness, nausea, sweating, vomiting, drowsiness, tremors,
rapid heartbeat, memory loss, seizures, confusion, breathing problems, coma,
muscle wasting and an irregular heartbeat.
Possible Side Effects of Generic Lexapro
Lexapro or escitalopram oxalate can cause side effects including a decreased
appetite, constipation, a decreased sex drive, diarrhea, dry mouth, dizziness,
fatigue, ejaculation disorder, runny nose, impotence, headache, indigestion,
insomnia, runny nose, nausea, sweating and sleepiness.
