Lexapro Side Effects Description:
Lexapro side effects which effect from the Lexapro drug. Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) is an orally taken antidepressant drug which belongs to the group of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Compared to other Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors drug, Lexapro works faster. Many patients testified that it is more efficient and has lesser side effects. Because of this, Lexapro is considered as the most prescribed treatment for depression. Experts believed that a person gets depressed because of the imbalance in the neurotransmitters in the brain. Lexapro will prevent the reuptake from happening in the neurotransmitters by improving the number of serotonin, the chemical substance found in the brain that affects emotions, in the brain to
attach to receptors. In other terms, Lexapro refurbishes the chemical balance in the brain. The Food and Drug Association (FDA) approved Lexapro in August 2002 for acute and major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents as well as treatment for generalized anxiety disorder.
Lexapro Side Effects Formulation:
Lexapro is a prescribed medicine which is available as tablets or as an oral solution. Its tablet form is round-shaped and coated with film. Lexapro has the strengths of 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20mg. Its inactive components are talc, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose/colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate. Lexapro oral solution on the other hand has strength of 1mg/mL with sorbitol, purified water, citric acid, sodium citrate, malic acid, glycerin, propylene glycol, methylparaben, propylparaben, and natural peppermint flavor as its inactive ingredients. Usually, patients are prescribed by their doctors to take 10 mg of Lexapro per day and may increase to 20 mg after a week depending on how the patient’s body responds to it. That could be taken in the morning or in the evening before or after meal. Patients must follow what the doctor prescribed them to lessen the adverse effects and to help ease the withdrawal process.
Lexapro Precaution:
Lexapro is a very potent antidepressant drug and must be taken with enough precautions. It is important to talk with your physician when planning to take this medication. You must also inform your doctor everything that he needs to know that may, in one way or another, affect the prescription. Older patients tend to be more susceptible to the effects of taking this medication compared to younger patients. You inform your doctor about the following things:
- Other medication that you are currently taking
- Mental condition or any history of psychological disorder
- Pregnant women, nursing mother or have a plan of conceiving
- Regularly drinks alcoholic beverages
- History in drug addiction
- Kidney or liver disorder
- Past experiences in hallucinations and suicidal thoughts
- Previous experiences in bleeding problems
- Abdominal problem
- Seizures
- Dehydration
Lexapro Side Effects:
Lexapro, like any other antidepressant drugs, has side effects. The severity of the side effects that patients may experience will vary from the strength of the medication they are taking, the length of time they uses the treatment, and the condition being treated.
Common Lexapro Side Effects:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sexual problems (ejaculating problems)
- Headache
- Loss of interest into something
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Unusual sweating
- Constipation
- Fever
- Indigestion
- Skin irritation
- Vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Increased weight
- Blurry vision
- Urination problem
Less Common Lexapro Side Effects:
- Toothache
- Decongestion or sinus irritation
- Stomach cramps
- Numbness
- Menstrual problem
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Anal disorder
Severe Lexapro Side Effects:
- Anxiety attacks
- Suicidal thoughts
- Hyperactivity
- Unusual change of behavior
- Confusion
- Increased pulse rate and heart beat
- Irregular blood pressure
- Problems with reflexes
- Agitation
- Seizure
- Coma
- Intense insomnia
- Chest palpitations
- Liver disorder
- Hypomania
- High blood sugar
- Hair loss
Lexapro Withdrawal Signs and Symptoms:
- Irritability
- Increased anxiety
- Dizziness
- Irritation
- Insomnia
- Tiredness
- Lightheadedness
Lexapro Side Effects Additional Information:
Lexapro’s withdrawal symptoms normally last for two days to several weeks depending on the strength of drug that the person used to take. In order for the patient to successfully survive the withdrawal symptoms of Lexapro, he or she needs to slowly reduce the dosage they are taking. Abruptly stop taking Lexapro is not healthy because the body system is still immune with the treatment. And whenever you noticed that you have starting to experience the symptoms of Lexapro withdrawal, you have to inform your physician about it right away. Your doctor, more than anyone else, knows the proper action to take in dealing with withdrawal symptoms.
For more reading about the side effects of drugs you can read at the official site of the FDA.