Lexapro is a medicine based on the escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), approved by FDA as antidepressant for the treatment of major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder in adults. The main active substance of Lexapro, escitalopram, is manufactured and marketed by various pharmaceutical companies all over the world under a different brand names.
Indication for Lexapro use
Lexapro is prescribed as a part of combination therapy or alone for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Its high effectiveness was proven during multiple test and the drug was approved for use in the majority of developed countries.
The medicine is used when a pronounced symptoms of the disorder are noticed during more than 6 months. If depression has a long-term character but isn’t simply a temporary bad mood, it means that in the brain there is an imbalance of chemicals produced. Lexapro helps to restore this balance.
For generalized anxiety disorder characterized by excessive anxiety and worry, that is persistent for at least 6 months, and which the person finds difficult to control, it is prescribed a short term treatment with Lexapro as the long-term treatment effectiveness with Lexapro varies from patient to patient and depends on individual features. Usually during a long-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder with Lexapro, a doctor regularly evaluates the improvement of symptoms, and if necessary, adjusts the dose of Lexapro or replaces it with other medicines.
Lexapro may be also used to treat irrational fears or obsessional behavior (obsessive-compulsive disorder), or other disorders if your doctor find that the medicine appropriate for you.
Before starting the treatment with Lexapro
Before starting the treatment course with Lexapro inform your doctor:
- If you have allergy to the main active substance escitalopram
- If you allergic to some food, dyes or preservatives
- If you are pregnant at the moment when doctor prescribes you Lexapro or plan to become pregnant in near future
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed a baby in near future
- If you are receiving electroconvulsive therapy
Also you should inform your doctor if you have, or have had, the following medical conditions:a tendency to bleed or bruise easily diabetesheart diseaseliver diseasekidney diseasebipolar disorder (manic depression) a history of seizures restlessness Contraindications for Lexapro use
Lexapro is contraindicated to:
- People allergic to the main active component escitalopram
- People taking MAO inhibitors
- People taking pimozide
- Lexapro is contraindicated to children under 18
Possible side effects of Lexapro
Common Reactions
- nausea
- delayed ejaculation
- insomnia
- diarrhea
- drowsiness
- excessive sweating
- fatigue
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- erectile dysfunction
- libido decrease
- indigestion appetite loss
- constipation
- abdominal pain
Serious side effects in occurrence of which you should immediately seek medical assistance:
- depression,
- worsening suicidal thought or attempts
- serotonin syndrome
- neuroleptic
- malignant syndrome
- extrapyramidal symptoms
- withdrawal syndrome
- hyponatremia
- mania
- seizures
- abnormal bleeding
- priapism
- hypoglycemia
- neonatal serotonin syndrome (3rd trimester use)
- neonatal withdrawal (3rd trimester use)
- hypoglycemia
Dosage of Lexapro and mode of administration
Lexapro is supplied in a form of film-coated tablets, containing escitalopram oxalate in strengths equivalent to 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg. Lexapro is also supplied in a form of oral solution which contains 1 mg/mL escitalopram base.
Dosage
Usually the initial daily dose of Lexapro for the treatment of major depressive disorder is of Lexapro 10 mg 1 time a day. Depending on the individual features of a patient and his sensitivity to the drug, the daily dose can be increased to 20 mg of Lexapro daily.
Antidepressant effect is commonly observed after the treatment course of 2-4 weeks. After complete elimination of depression symptoms, it is recommended to continue prophylactic treatment with Lexapro within following 6 months.
For the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder it is prescribed 5 mg of Lexapro daily with the following increase of the daily dose to 10 mg of cheap Lexapro daily. Depending on individual reaction of the patient, the daily dose may be increased to the maximum level of Lexapro 20 mg daily. Maximum therapeutic effect is achieved in 3 months after the treatment beginning.
For older people Lexapro is prescribed in reduced doses, and the maximum daily dose should not exceed 10 mg.
For other types of disorders the dose is selected individually.
How to buy Lexapro?
You can buy Lexapro from a regular drug store if you have a prescription, or you can buy Lexapro from our online pharmacy without a prescription. If you have a prescription, it is still more advantageous to buy Lexapro online from our online pharmacy as we offer much lower price and provide you with highest quality Lexapro and its cheaper generics. Generic Lexapro are absolutely identical medicines simply manufactured and marketed under other less advertised brand names by different companies.