Lexapro and Its Uses
Generic Lexapro is a type of antidepressant known as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI).
Generic Lexapro affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.
Generic Lexapro is used to treat depression.
As a member of the class of medications known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Generic Lexapro offers some advantages in increasing the supply of serotonin in the brain that has resulted in a more powerful, yet better-tolerated, medication for the treatment of depression and GAD.
The symptoms of depression and anxiety are believed to be caused by an imbalance in the brain of serotonin, a chemical that affects mood. Generic Lexapro was derived by isolating the Celexa (Citalopram HBr) molecule, known as an isomer. This has provided Lexapro with treatment benefits beyond Celexa.
|| Top || Working Mechanism of Lexapro
Generic Lexapro acts on nerve cells in the brain. In the brain there are numerous different chemical compounds called neurotransmitters. These act as chemical messengers between the nerve cells. Serotonin is one such neurotransmitter and has various functions.
When serotonin is released from nerve cells in the brain it acts to lighten mood. When it is reabsorbed into the nerve cells, it no longer has an effect on mood. It is thought that when depression occurs, there may be a decreased amount of serotonin released from nerve cells in the brain.
SSRIs work by preventing serotonin from being reabsorbed back into the nerve cells in the brain. This helps prolong the mood lightening effect of any released serotonin. In this way, Generic Lexapro helps relieve depression, panic and fear.
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Lexapro Dose
Missed Dose of Lexapro
Take the missed dose of Lexapro as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose of Lexapro, skip the missed dose of Lexapro and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Excess Dose of Lexapro
Generic Lexapro in excess may show symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness, dizziness, sweating, and a fast heartbeat.
Conditions for storage of Lexapro
Store Generic Lexapro at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Potencies of Lexapro
Lexapro Tablets Lexapro 5 mg, Lexapro 10 mg & Lexapro 20 mg
|| Top || Food and Drug Interactions with Lexapro
Generic Lexapro should not be taken at the same time as monoamine oxidase inhibitor medicines (MAOIs). These include monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine and moclobemide, and the antibiotic linezolid. Generic Lexapro should not be started until at least at least a day after stopping moclobemide or linezolid, and until at least two weeks after stopping other monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Similarly, treatment with any MAOIs should not be started until at least one week after Lexapro has been stopped.
As SSRIs have been associated with bleeding abnormalities, the following medicines, which are known to affect the ability of the blood to clot, should be used with caution with Lexapro:
- tricyclic antidepressants
- some antipsychotic medicines
- some antisickness medicines, e.g. prochlorperazine
- aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
- anticoagulants such as warfarin
- ticlopidine
- dipyridamole.
There may be an increased risk of side effects if Lexapro is taken with the following, which also enhance the activity of serotonin in the brain:
- selegiline
- lithium
- triptans for migraine, e.g. sumatriptan
- tramadol
- tryptophan.
The herbal remedy St John's Wort should not be taken with Lexapro for the same reason.
The blood level of Lexapro may be increased by the following medicines:
Generic Lexapro may increase the blood levels of the following medicines:
- flecainide
- propafenone
- metoprolol
- antidepressants such as desipramine, clomipramine, nortriptyline
- antipsychotics such as risperidone, thioridazine, haloperidol
Treatment with Generic Lexapro may alter control of blood sugar in people with diabetes, who may need an adjustment in their dose of insulin or antidiabetic tablets. People with diabetes should discuss this with their doctor.
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Contraindications with Lexapro
Generic Lexapro is contraindicated in
- Children and adolescents under 18 years of age
- People who have taken a monoamine-oxidase inhibitor antidepressant (MAOI) in the last 14 days
- Manic episodes of manic depression (bipolar affective disorder)
- Uncontrolled epilepsy
- Allergy to any of its ingredients
- Do not take Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
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Precautions with Lexapro
Generic Lexapro should be used with caution in
- Elderly people
- Young adults
- History of suicidal behavior or thoughts
- History of mania or hypomania
- People also receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- People taking antipsychotic medicines
- Decreased liver function
- Decreased kidney function
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Heart disease
- History of bleeding disorders
- People taking medicine that affects blood clotting (e.g. anticoagulants such as warfarin)
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Adverse effects with Lexapro
Lexapro is associated with the following adverse effects
- Decreased appetite
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
- Sleepiness (somnolence)
- Dizziness
- Sexual problems
- Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
- Increased sweating
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea
- Fatigue
- Fever (pyrexia)
- Alteration in taste
- Confusion
- Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor)
- Visual disturbances
- Seizures
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Agitation
- Pain in the muscles and joints
- Rash or itching
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