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Drug Uses
Lexapro is a part of a class of medicines referred to as SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Lexapro can affect certain chemicals in the brain, particularly those which tend to become unbalanced, consequently leading to depression or anxiety symptoms. The medication is primarily administered as treatment for anxiety disorders and severe depressive disorders.
How to Take Lexapro
It is advisable to take Lexapro at approximately the same times each day, once a day. You may take it with or without water. If you are taking the oral suspension form of the medication, use a medicine cup in measuring out each dose to ensure that you are taking it in the right amounts. You may need to take Lexapro regularly for an entire month before you begin to obtain its full benefit. Do not discontinue its use without prior instruction to do so, as you may experience unpleasant side effects as a consequence.
Drug Precautions
If you have a current liver or kidney disorder, or if you suffer from seizure episodes and manic, suicidal tendencies, you may not be allowed to take Lexapro, or a special dosage adjustment and monitoring may be applied to your case. Lexapro should not be taken simultaneously with a similar drug like citalopram; if you are allergic to citalopram, there is a possibility that you will be allergic to Lexapro as well. Do not take either medication if you have incurred an allergic reaction with any of them in the past.
Drug Interactions
If you are taking Lexapro, talk to your doctor first before you take any medications for pain management, inflammation, fever, or arthritis. Taking such drugs simultaneously with Lexapro can leave you susceptible to easy bruising or bleeding. The following drugs may also interact with Lexapro: lithium, blood thinners, carbamazepine, and cimetidine; drugs with similar effects, such as other antidepressants, including amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, imipramine, and nortriptyline; and almotriptan, sumatriptan, rizatriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, and zolmitriptan.
Side Effects
Inform your health practitioner immediately if you encounter any new or developing symptoms of anxiety, mood swings, sleep disorders, or panic attacks, if you feel hyperactive, impulsive, restless, extremely depressed, irritable, or agitated, or if you are having recurring suicidal thoughts. Seek for medical aid if you incur convulsions, difficulties with coordination, and involuntary muscle spasms like shivering and twitching, or a rapid heart rate.
Missed Dose
As much as possible, do not forget to skip a dose of the medication; if you fail a scheduled dose, take it at once, as long as the next intake is not nearly due. Otherwise skip the dose and take the next one as scheduled.
Overdose
In case of an overdose of Lexapro, seek medical aid at once. The symptoms usually associated with its excessive use include a quickened heartbeat, queasiness followed by vomiting, tremor, profuse sweating, and drowsiness.
Storage
Keep Lexapro tightly-capped in its container, and within standard room temperatures; keep it away from any possible source of extreme temperature and moisture.
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