Aspect Results of Lexapro to Be Conscious of — Talkspace

Lexapro (Escitalopram) is a well-liked remedy for treating melancholy, generalized anxiousness dysfunction (GAD), and different temper problems. It may be an efficient device in managing these circumstances, nevertheless it’s necessary to know the unwanted effects of Lexapro which will include taking this antidepressant remedy. Realizing the potential dangers you are taking when deciding on Lexapro is crucial in your security and well-being. 

Preserve studying as we discover frequent and extreme unwanted effects of Lexapro and have a look at potential interactions with different medicines or substances. If you’re knowledgeable of the dangers, you’re capable of make the perfect selections relating to your psychological well being care. 

Potential Dangers & Warnings of Taking Lexapro

Like most medicines, Lexapro can have unwanted effects. Youngsters below 12, pregnant or breastfeeding girls, and a few individuals with sure allergic reactions shouldn’t take Lexapro. Lexapro and being pregnant have their very own correlation, and for those who’re pregnant whereas taking Lexapro, studying extra concerning the two will enable you make the proper determination earlier than Lexapro use. 

Moreover, individuals with an imbalance of their serotonin ranges won’t be capable of take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Lexapro. The drug has additionally been related to low sodium within the blood (hyponatremia) within the aged who want to observe their sodium consumption. 

Aspect Results of Lexapro

Whereas analysis reveals that Lexapro can successfully deal with signs of melancholy and anxiousness, understanding potential unwanted effects is crucial earlier than starting it or any remedy. At all times focus on the potential dangers versus advantages related to its use and every other well being considerations you will have together with your physician. They can assist decide if it’s protected so that you can take Lexapro long-term based mostly in your particular person wants and medical historical past.

“Widespread unwanted effects of taking Lexapro are weak spot, feeling drained, nausea, points with sleep, anxiousness, or lack of urge for food. It will possibly additionally trigger sexual issues, corresponding to decreased intercourse drive and erectile dysfunction. It’s good to concentrate on how the remedy is impacting you and what unwanted effects you’re having. It will possibly differ from individual to individual. Make sure to focus on it together with your psychiatrist to ensure that that is the perfect remedy choice for you.”

– Talkspace therapist Bisma Anwar, LMHC

Widespread unwanted effects

Widespread unwanted effects of Lexapro use can vary from gentle to extreme. Analysis reveals that aside from sexual unwanted effects, which usually don’t enhance, most of the extra frequent Lexapro unwanted effects have a tendency to reduce over time. 

A number of Lexapro unwanted effects resolve inside two weeks of beginning the remedy. It’s finest to start with a low Lexapro dosage and slowly enhance the quantity taken over a number of weeks as suggested by your physician.

Widespread unwanted effects related to Lexapro embrace: 

• Nausea: Nausea is without doubt one of the most typical unwanted effects of Lexapro. It sometimes happens inside the first few weeks after beginning therapy. Typically it may well resolve over time as your physique adjusts to the remedy. Taking Lexapro with meals or at bedtime could assist scale back nausea signs.
• Change in intercourse drive: Sexual unwanted effects are one other frequent incidence when taking Lexapro. These would possibly embrace issues corresponding to decreased libido, problem reaching orgasm, delayed ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction for males.
• Menstrual cycle modifications and/or vaginal dryness: Ladies may expertise modifications of their menstrual cycle or vaginal dryness whereas on this remedy.
• Insomnia: Insomnia is a possible aspect impact of Lexapro, though it’s much less frequent than nausea or sexual issues. Insomnia typically begins the primary few weeks after beginning therapy however ought to enhance over time as your physique will get used to the remedy’s results. To attenuate insomnia signs, strive avoiding caffeine late within the day and setting an everyday sleep schedule by going to mattress at across the identical time every night time. If insomnia persists, speak together with your physician about adjusting your dose or switching medicines.
• Drowsiness: Lexapro is understood to trigger extreme fatigue and drowsiness in some individuals. 
• Dry mouth: Dry mouth is usually a frequent aspect impact of Lexapro. 
• Diarrhea or constipation: Diarrhea or constipation could happen when utilizing Lexapro.
• Elevated sweating: Lexapro may cause some individuals to expertise elevated sweating. 
• Weight achieve: Whereas it is going to differ from individual to individual, weight achieve could happen when taking Lexapro. Take a look at our article on Lexapro weight achieve to be taught concerning the causes and methods to keep away from these weight fluctuations.

Whereas most unwanted effects are gentle, some could grow to be extra extreme if not addressed. If unwanted effects persist for longer than two weeks or start to intervene together with your capability to perform each day, it is best to contact your physician instantly.

Critical unwanted effects

When taking any remedy, it’s very important to concentrate on all the potential unwanted effects. 

“Lexapro is an efficient remedy to deal with melancholy and anxiousness however it may well even have severe unwanted effects. Just be sure you speak to your physician about every other well being points you will have, in addition to different medicines you may be taking earlier than beginning on Lexapro. This can assist inform your physician and scale back the probabilities of you having unwanted effects.” 

– Talkspace therapist Bisma Anwar, LMHC

Critical unwanted effects from taking Lexapro could embrace: 

• Suicidal ideas or behaviors: Suicidal ideas or behaviors could happen in individuals taking this remedy – particularly these below 25 – so it is best to monitor for indicators of elevated melancholy or suicidal conduct whereas utilizing this drug.
• Modifications in conduct: Some individuals discover a rise in aggression or agitation after starting Lexapro.
• Serotonin syndrome: Serotonin syndrome can happen when an excessive amount of serotonin builds up within the physique — signs embrace confusion, agitation, and fever. It is a recognized potential aspect impact of Lexapro to concentrate on. 
• Mania: Lexapro can set off manic episodes in some individuals taking it for bipolar dysfunction. 
• Seizures: Extra analysis is required to find out if Lexapro will increase the chance of seizures in individuals with a seizure dysfunction. Nevertheless, the drug may end up in some individuals with out a situation having seizures. 
• Irregular bleeding or bruising: Irregular bleeding or bruising when taking Lexapro will be because of its capability to inhibit platelet aggregation in some individuals.
• Issue respiratory or swallowing: Lexapro may cause an allergic response. Although uncommon, the response would possibly typically end in problem respiratory and/or swallowing. 

If you happen to expertise any of those extreme unwanted effects whereas taking Lexapro, search medical consideration immediately. 

Lexapro Interactions

Sure medicines and alcohol can work together with and influence the efficacy of Lexapro therapy. Try to be conscious of potential interactions when taking this or any drug. Make sure to communicate together with your physician or pharmacist and share what different medicine or medication you’re taking. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice generally work together with some SSRI medicines, so be sure that to verify together with your pharmacist or physician about that interplay. 

Lexapro interactions with different medicine

Some prescription and over-the-counter medicine, nutritional vitamins, or dietary supplements can work together with Lexapro. Generally recognized interactions can happen with: 

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Different SSRIs 
• Sure antihistamines corresponding to diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 

Sure combos of medication and medication can enhance the chance of creating harmful unwanted effects or scale back the effectiveness of 1 or each medicine. 

For instance, combining Lexapro with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may cause severe reactions, together with hypertension and seizures. Research have linked problems to Lexapro and MAOIs when taken inside 14 days of one another.

Lastly, sure drug interactions with antibiotics — like clarithromycin, which might trigger an irregular coronary heart rhythm that may be life-threatening — shouldn’t be taken whereas on Lexapro.

Lexapro interactions with alcohol

Keep away from consuming alcohol when taking an SSRI antidepressant like Lexapro. Alcohol’s sedative properties might enhance the chance for adversarial reactions when mixed with the drug’s lively substances. Study extra about what can occur when Lexapro and alcohol, so that you’re absolutely conscious of potential reactions.

Speak with a Physician About Lexapro

Speak to a health care provider or on-line psychiatrist at Talkspace concerning the potential unwanted effects of Lexapro — each frequent and severe — earlier than taking it or every other anxiousness or melancholy remedy. Lexapro can successfully deal with melancholy and different psychological well being circumstances, nevertheless it isn’t appropriate for everybody. Understanding the dangers related to its use and realizing what to search for is essential. 

You don’t must stay with psychological well being circumstances that negatively influence your life. Assist is on the market via remedy, psychiatrist-prescribed remedy, and life-style modifications. If you happen to’re involved and in search of interventions that will help you handle the signs of your melancholy or one other temper dysfunction, speak to your physician or therapist to seek out out if Lexapro may be an choice for you. 

To get solutions to extra questions on Lexapro, such because the distinction between Celexa vs. Lexapro or how lengthy it takes for Lexapro to work, try our assets or speak to a health care provider at the moment.