What should know about Lexapro?

• Do not stop taking Lexapro without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks for you to start feeling better.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Lexapro may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Lexapro or affect your condition.

What is Lexapro?

• Lexapro is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Lexapro affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression.
• Lexapro is used to treat depression.
• Lexapro may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Warning

• Do not take Lexapro if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. A dangerous drug interaction can occur if Lexapro is combined with any of these medications.
• Before taking Lexapro, tell your doctor if you
· have liver disease,
· have kidney disease,
· suffer from seizures, or
· suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts.
• You may not be able to take Lexapro, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Lexapro should not be taken during treatment with citalopram (Celexa). Also, if you have had an allergic reaction to citalopram (Celexa), you may also have an allergic reaction to Lexapro. Do not take Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to either medication in the past.
• Lexapro is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Lexapro it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• Lexapro passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Lexapro?

• Take Lexapro exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
• To ensure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of Lexapro with a dose-measuring spoon, cup, or dropper, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
• Lexapro may be taken with or without food.
• Lexapro is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions. Take the dose at the same time each day.
• Do not stop taking Lexapro without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks for you to start feeling better.
• Store Lexapro at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a Lexapro overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness, dizziness, sweating, and a fast heartbeat.

What should I avoid while taking Lexapro?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Lexapro may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Lexapro or affect your condition.

What are the possible side effects of Lexapro?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Lexapro and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
· low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
· high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or
· chills or fever.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking Lexapro and talk to your doctor:
· headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
· nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
· sleepiness or insomnia; or
· decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Lexapro?

• Do not take Lexapro if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. A dangerous drug interaction can occur when Lexapro is combined with any of these medications.
• Before taking Lexapro, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
· another antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), trazodone (Desyrel), or nefazodone (Serzone);
· a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
· a seizure medication including carbamazepine (Tegretol) or felbamate (Felbatol);
· a stomach medicine such as cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), or omeprazole (Prilosec);
· an antibiotic such as erythromycin (Eryc-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., Erythrocin, P.C.E., others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
· an antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
· a migraine medication such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
· the asthma medication zafirlukast (Accolate); or
· lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs).
• You may not be able to take Lexapro, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Lexapro. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products

More Anti-Depressants

Celexa is a drug that was released by the Forest Pharmaceuticals corporation aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Celexa on July 17, 1998. Celexa is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells. The effects of this medication can usually be seen in two to three weeks, though some patients may require four or more weeks to feel better.

Lexapro [escitalopram] is an antidepressant that works by boosting levels of serotonin, one of the chief chemical messengers in the brain. The drug is a close chemical cousin of the antidepressant medication Celexa. Other antidepressants that work by raising serotonin levels include Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft.

Luvox is the brand name for Fluvoxamine, an antidepressant and antiobsessional drug. Luvox is a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). It is often prescribed for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This drug is used to relieve anxiety and unpleasant thoughts that cause a person to repeat certain tasks.

Paxil (Paroxetine) is an antidepressant used to treat major depression, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), social anxiety disorder (social phobia), and generalized anxiety disorder.

Prozac is an antidepressant often prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity.

Remeron is a medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression in June 1997. Remeron was the first drug in a new class of antidepressants with a unique ability to target specific serotonin receptors. Along with its efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe depression, Remeron has proven to be effective for treating anxiety, motor retardation, and cognitive and sleep disturbances associated with depression.

Wellbutrin is a relatively new antidepressant medication and is prescribed to help relieve certain kinds of major depression. As with other antidepressants, it is unknown exactly how Wellbutrin works. Scientists believe that Wellbutrin treats depression by affecting two chemicals in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. These are two of the chemicals that are believed to help regulate your mood.

Zoloft is an antidepressant drug that was released by the Pfizer corporation in 1991 which aimed at fighting depression. The FDA approved Zoloft in October of 1997. Zoloft is a member of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor family, which increases serotonin levels in the synapse by blocking serotonin reuptake into brain cells.