Lexapro Medication - Escitalopram oxalate
This is a summary of the most important information about the medication Lexapro. For details, talk to your healthcare professional.
FDA ALERT [05/2005]– Suicidal Thoughts or Actions in Children
Patients with depression or other mental illnesses often think about or attempt
suicide. Taking antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts and actions
in about 1 out of 50 people 18 years or younger. Closely watch anyone taking
antidepressants, especially early in treatment or when the dose is changed.
Patients who become irritable or anxious, or have new or increased thoughts
of suicide or other changes in mood or behavior should be evaluated by their
healthcare professional right away. Although Lexapro medication is prescribed for children,
it has not been approved by FDA for use in children.
This information reflects FDA’s preliminary analysis of data concerning this
medication. FDA is considering, but has not reached a final conclusion about, this
information. FDA intends to update this sheet when additional information
or analyses become available.
Lexapro Medication
Lexapro is in a class of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs).
Lexapro tablets and oral solution are used to treat:
Depression
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Who Should Not Take Lexapro Medication
Never take Lexapro if you are taking another drug used to treat depression
called a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have stopped taking
an MAOI in the last 14 days. Taking Lexapro medication close in time to an MAOI can result
in serious, sometimes fatal, reactions, including:
High body temperature
Coma
Seizures (convulsions)
MAOI drugs include Nardil (phenelzine sulfate), Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate).
Marplan (isocarboxazid), and other brands.
What Are The Risks Of Lexapro medication?
Suicidal thoughts or actions: See FDA Alert.
Stopping Lexapro: Do not stop taking Lexapro suddenly because
you could get side effects. Your healthcare professional will slowly decrease
your dose.
Bleeding problems: Lexapro may cause bleeding problems, especially
if taken with aspirin, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such
as ibuprofen and naproxen), or other drugs that affect bleeding.
Mania: You may become unusually hyperactive, excitable or
elated.
Seizures: You may experience a seizure (convulsion) even
if you are not taking Lexapro medication close in time with a MAOI.
Pregnancy: Tell your healthcare professional if you are or
may be pregnant because babies delivered to mothers taking Lexapro late in
pregnancy have developed problems, such as difficulty breathing and feeding.
Other side effects include difficulty sleeping, nausea, increased sweating,
fatigue, and sleepiness.
Tell your healthcare professional about all your medical conditions, especially
if you have liver or kidney disease. Tell your healthcare professional if
you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed your baby.
Are There Any Interactions Lexapro And Other Drugs or Foods?
Do not take Lexapro medication with Celexa (citalopram), another drug used to treat depression,
because they are very similar and you could get an overdose.
Lexapro may interact with medicines other than the ones already mentioned
in this information sheet. These interactions can cause serious side effects.
Tell your healthcare professional about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal
supplements you take.
If you plan to combine alcohol and lexapro, talk to your healthcare professional.
How Do I Take Lexapro medication? Lexapro is taken by mouth, with or
without food, exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional.
Is There Anything Else I Need to Know About Lexapro?
Lexapro was FDA Approved 2002
Look at this article for further information on lexapro side effects.