Lexapro

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?
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 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?
The following are the major potential risks and side effects of Lexapro therapy. However, this list is not complete.

Possible life-threatening serotonin syndrome when used with triptan medicines: See FDA Alert [07/2006] above.

Infant persistent pulmonary hypertension: See FDA Alert [07/2006] above.

Suicidal thoughts or actions: Persons taking Lexapro may be more likely to think about killing themselves or actually try to do so, especially when Lexapro is first started or the dose is changed. People close to persons taking Lexapro can help by paying attention to changes in user’s moods or actions. Contact your healthcare professional right away if someone using Lexapro talks about or shows signs of killing him or herself. If you are taking Lexapro yourself and you start thinking about killing yourself, tell your healthcare professional about this side effect right away.

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 close in time with an MAOI.

Pregnancy: Tell your healthcare professional if you are or may be pregnant. Escitalopram can cause Infant Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension as per an FDA alert. In addition, babies delivered to mothers taking Lexapro late in pregnancy have developed problems, such as difficulty breathing and feeding.

Sexual problems: You may have problems with impotence (erectile dysfunction), abnormal ejaculation, difficulty reaching orgasm, or decreased libido (sexual desire).

Other side effects include difficulty sleeping, nausea, increased sweating, fatigue, and sleepiness.

Tell your healthcare professional about all your medical conditions, especially liver or kidney disease. Tell your healthcare professional if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed your baby. Are There Any Interactions With Drugs or Foods?

Do not take Lexapro 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 drink alcohol, talk to your healthcare professional.

How Do I Take Lexapro? Lexapro is taken by mouth, with or without food, exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional.

Wiki adapted from FDA