Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking Lexapro and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning or evening. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start taking this drug at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed.
Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as mood swings, headache, tiredness, sleep changes, and brief feelings similar to electric shock.
To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.
It may take 1 to 2 weeks to feel a benefit from this drug and 4 weeks to feel the full benefit of this medication. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
Lexapro Side effects
SSRIs such as Lexapro are well tolerated compared to other antidepressants. You may experience more side effects when you take higher doses of the drug. Lexapro can cause diarrhea if you take a higher dose.
Common side effects
Both men and women seem to experience the same side effects from Lexapro. Children and adults experience slightly different side effects.
Side effects that can be caused by adulthood include:
- nausea
- Sleepiness
- Weakness
- dizziness
- Anxiety
- sleeping trouble
- Sexual problems such as decreased sex drive or erectile disorder
- It is important to sweat
- Shaking
- Loss of appetitive
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Infection
- You yawning
Side effects for adolescents and children can include:
- Increased thirst
- An abnormal increase in muscle movement and agitation
- Nosebleeds
- Trouble urinating
- heavy menstrual periods
- Slowed growth and weight loss
Lexapro has been shown to cause weight loss in children and teens, with some cases. During treatment, your child's doctor might check their height or weight.
Depression patients tend to have low appetites and a reduced body weight. Adults may experience a slight weight gain from Lexapro, according to somesources. Your weight gain may be due to your depression being better managed and your appetite returning. Lexapro can cause weight loss in some people. Increased levels of serotonin can lead to a loss in appetite.
These side effects tend to be mild. These side effects should resolve on their own, without any treatment. Your doctor should be notified if they are more severe or persist.
Side effects of boxed warning
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues a boxed warning, which is the most serious warning.
Lexapro can increase suicidal thoughts and actions. This is more common in young people, teens, and young adults. This is more common in the first few months after treatment, or when dosage adjustments are made.
If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. For more serious symptoms, dial 911 or the local emergency services.
- Suicide attempts
- acting on dangerous impulses
- Violent or aggressive actions
- Thoughts about suicide and dying
- New or worse depression
- Panic attacks or anxiety that are worsening or new?
- Feeling restless, angry, and irritable
- Trouble sleeping
- Increased activity (doing more that what you are used to)
- Other unusual changes in your mood or behavior
You may also experience other serious side effects
Other serious side effects can also be caused by Lexapro. If you experience serious side effects, call your doctor immediately. If your symptoms are severe or life-threatening, call 911 immediately or the local emergency services.
Severe allergic reactions
If you are allergic to Lexapro, its ingredients or the antidepressant Celexa, you should not take it. These symptoms can include:
- Breathing problems
- Swelling of the lips, cheeks, tongue, eyes or mouth
- Severe rash, hives (itchy skin welts), blisters and fever may be accompanied by joint pain or fever.
Convulsions or seizures
Reports have shown that some people may have seizures while taking Lexapro. Seizures are more common in those with a history.
Serotonin syndrome
This is a serious condition. This happens when your body's levels of serotonin get too high. This is more common if you take antidepressants and lithium that also increase your serotonin levels. You may experience the following symptoms:
- Agitation
- Hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that aren’t real)
- coma (loss consciousness)
- Overactive reflexes or muscle twitching can cause coordination problems and overactive reflexes.
- racing heart rate
- High or low blood pressure
- Fever or sweating
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Stiffness in the muscles
Low salt levels
Low salt levels may be caused by Lexapro. This is more common in seniors, those who take water pills, and people who are severely dehydrated. This side effect could cause:
- Kopfschmerz
- There is confusion
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory or thinking problems
- Weakness
- Unsteadiness can cause falls
- seizures
Manic episodes
Lexapro can cause manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder. An episode may occur if Lexapro is taken without any other medication for bipolar disorder. These symptoms can include:
- Clearly, energy consumption has increased.
- severe sleeping trouble
- Racing thoughts
- Reckless behavior
- Unusually grand ideas
- Excessive happiness or irritability
- Talking faster than normal or longer
Vision problems
Lexapro may dilate your pupils. Even if you have never had eye problems, this could trigger a glaucoma episode. These symptoms can include:
- Eye pain
- Vision changes
- Redness or swelling around the eye
Side effects of other conditions
Lexapro should not be taken if you have any health issues. Your doctor may reduce your dose or monitor you closely while you are taking Lexapro. Before you start Lexapro, tell your doctor about any of these conditions.
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors, particularly in young people, can be increased by Lexapro.
- Bipolar disorder - Lexapro can cause manic episodes if taken without any other medication for bipolar disorder.
- Seizures--this drug may cause seizures and make your seizure disorder worse.
- Glaucoma--This drug could cause a glaucoma attack.
- Low salt levels--Lexapro may further lower your salt levels.
- Pregnancy--It is not known if Lexapro can harm your unborn baby.
- Breastfeeding--Lexapro may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.
Interactions With Other Drugs
Lexapro can interact with certain medications. Lexapro can interact with certain medications. These drugs may interact with Lexapro:
- Warfarin, a blood thinner, can increase your chance of bleeding.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), can increase your risk of bleeding.
- Other drugs that are used to treat depression can also increase your body's level of serotonin, which can lead to serotonin syndrome.
Talk with your doctor
Lexapro is an effective drug that can be used to treat anxiety and depression. It can be very effective but it could also cause side effects. Before you start Lexapro, tell your doctor about any health conditions or medications that you are taking. Your doctor will be able to reduce the chance of you having side effects. If you experience side effects, tell your doctor. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking the medication if you are unable to tolerate them. Be aware that Lexapro, like other drugs in the class, can cause many of these side effects.
Also Read
FAQ
What are the most common side effects of Lexapro?
Insomnia, headaches, nausea, diarrhea and dry mouth can all be caused by the medication. These symptoms will usually improve as you continue taking the medication.
What are the side effects when you first start taking
Lexapro?
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Reduced sexual desire
- Nausea.
- Increased sweating
- Fatigue.
- Drowsiness.
- Dry mouth.
- Feeling dizzy or shaky
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