Lexapro (escitalopram) helps with depression and anxiety by boosting the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps keep your mood steady. Like all antidepressants, Lexapro can cause side effects, which can be severe. Also, people may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the medication.
Read on to learn all about Lexapro and discover how to get effective mental health treatment.
What Is Lexapro?
Lexapro (escitalopram) is a medication that helps with depression and anxiety. It belongs to a group of drugs called SSRIs, which stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. We don’t know exactly how Lexapro works, but it is believed to stop nerves from taking up serotonin. This means there is more of the chemical in the space between nerves.
What Is Lexapro Used For? Common Treatments
The FDA approved Lexapro in 2002. The medication is approved for treating depression in teens and adults, and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) in adults.
- Major depressive disorder (depression) in adults
- GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) in adults
- Depression in children over 12 years old
What Determines Lexapro Dosage?
The dosage of Lexapro you take depends on factors that include:
- Your age
- The condition being treated
- How your body responds to the medication
- Other underlying health conditions
Your doctor will decide the best dosage for you using the following guidelines.
Adult dose for generalized anxiety disorder
- Starting dose: 10mg once a day. After at least 1 week, your doctor might increase it to 20mg once a day.
- Regular dose: 10 to 20mg once a day.
- Maximum dose: 20mg once a day.
Doctors will check to see if you still need the medication regularly. It hasn’t been studied for use longer than 8 weeks for treating anxiety.
Adult dose for depression
- Starting dose: 10mg once a day. After at least 1 week, your doctor might increase it to 20mg once a day.
- Regular dose: 10 to 20mg once a day.
- Maximum dose: 20mg once a day.
Some people with depression need to take Lexapro for several months or longer. Doctors will check to see if you still need the medication regularly.
Dose for children 12 years and older with depression
- Starting dose: 10mg once a day. After at least 3 weeks, your doctor might increase it to 20mg once a day.
- Regular dose: 10 to 20mg once a day.
- Maximum dose: 20mg once a day.
Some children need to take this medication for several months or longer. Doctors will check to see if they still need the medicine regularly.
6 Potential Lexapro Side Effects
Like all antidepressants, Lexapro can cause some side effects. Some of these can be mild and fleeting, while others demand immediate medical attention.
1) Allergic reactions
Look for skin rash, itching, or hives when taking this medication. Swelling of the tongue, lips, face, or throat can also happen. Tell your doctor right away if you notice these signs.
2) Bleeding
Report any small red or purple spots on the skin and any unusual bleeding or bruising to your doctor. Also, watch out for black or bloody stools. Red or dark brown urine is another sign to watch out for when first taking Lexapro. Vomiting blood or gloopy material after using this medication is serious – speak with your doctor right away.
3) Heart rhythm changes
Some people taking Lexapro find their heart rate becomes fast or irregular. They may also feel dizzy, faint, or have chest pain. Trouble breathing is also a serious sign to watch for when taking this medication.
4) Low sodium levels
Muscle weakness or feeling very tired can be a side effect of Lexapro. Dizziness, headache, or confusion may also occur. Tell your doctor if you experience these issues.
5) Serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome is a severe drug reaction. Symptoms include confusion, irritability, fast or irregular heartbeat, sweating, tremors, muscle stiffness, and fever. Chills, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures are serious signs that need prompt medical attention.
6) Weight changes
People with depression often don’t feel like eating and may lose weight. Some adults taking Lexapro may gain a little weight. This might happen because their depression is getting better, and their appetite is back. Others might lose weight on Lexapro because it can make them feel less hungry due to more serotonin.
Always tell your doctor about any side effects when taking a medication like Lexapro. They can help manage them and make sure your treatment is safe.
Who Should Not Take Lexapro?
Some people should not take Lexapro. Here are the main reasons why:
- Medication conflicts: Do not take Lexapro if you are also taking pimozide or citalopram (Celexa). Avoid Lexapro if you have taken an MAOI like isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine in the past 14 days. A dangerous interaction could happen.
- Allergies: If you are allergic to escitalopram or citalopram, do not take Lexapro.
- Children under 12: Lexapro is not approved for children under 12 years old.
- Medical conditions: Tell your doctor if you have low sodium levels, seizures, liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, a stroke, bipolar, or a history of substance abuse or suicidal thoughts.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medication.
- Other medications: Tell your doctor if you take medications for depression, mental illness, migraines, serious infections, Parkinson’s disease, or prevention of nausea or vomiting. Also, let them know if you use stimulant medications, opioids, or herbal products. These can interact with Lexapro and cause serotonin syndrome.
- Young adults: Teens might have more thoughts about suicide when they first start taking Lexapro. Keep an eye on mood changes and tell your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms. Parents and caregivers should also watch for signs of mania, like being extremely happy or active.
Always tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking and any health conditions you have. This helps make sure Lexapro is safe for you.
Lexapro Withdrawal Symptoms
Recent research shows that more than half of those who take antidepressants experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop or reduce their dosage.
If you take Lexapro for a short time, you are less likely to have withdrawal symptoms because the medication builds up slowly in your blood. However, if you have taken other SSRI medications before or have used Lexapro for a long time, you have a higher chance of getting withdrawal symptoms.
Lexapro withdrawal happens because SSRIs change how your brain works. SSRIs increase serotonin, a chemical that makes you feel happy. Over time, the brain blocks some receptors to prevent too much serotonin. When you stop taking Lexapro, your body needs time to adjust. The serotonin levels drop suddenly, causing withdrawal symptoms.
First stage symptoms
In the first stage, you might experience:
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Agitation
- Brain zaps
Second stage symptoms
In the second stage, you might experience:
- Increased anxiety
- Depression
- Sexual side effects, like delayed orgasm
- Changes in weight
- Suicidal thoughts
- Issues with concentration
- Irritability
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Difficulty handling stress
If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They can help you manage them and provide referrals to mental health professionals and treatment centers. Call 949.694.8305 for immediate assistance.
Get Addiction & Mental Health Help at California Detox
If you need help dealing with mental health issues or addiction, reach out to California Detox.
Begin your recovery with supervised withdrawal at our luxury rehab in Laguna Beach, California. Stopping Lexapro gradually makes withdrawal from antidepressants smoother and easier.
After a week or so, you can move into an inpatient treatment program at our facility by the beach. Deal with mental health issues and addiction through the following therapies:
- Medication management
- Talk therapy
- Motivational therapy
- Counseling
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Holistic treatments
- Aftercare
Call our recovery experts today at 949.694.8305.