Different antidepressants are just that – different.
Not all antidepressants are interchangeable.
Your doctor selects and prescribes a specific antidepressant for you based on careful consideration of your symptoms, your medical history, and specific medical needs. After your doctor gives you your prescription, make sure you get exactly what your doctor ordered when you go to the pharmacy. This is especially important if you are doing well on treatment.
It is important to start and stay on a medication that effectively relieves your symptoms and that you tolerate well. If you are doing well on treatment, switching your medication may compromise your treatment.
If your doctor prescribed Lexapro for you, he/she chose Lexapro for a reason.
Your doctor chose Lexapro because he or she believes it is the right treatment for you. While there are generic versions of other antidepressants, there is no generic version available for Lexapro.
Fill your prescription as prescribed right away - the sooner you begin Lexapro treatment, the sooner you may begin to feel better.
- Full antidepressant/anxiolytic effect may take 4 to 6 weeks.
When you are at the pharmacy to fill or refill your Lexapro prescription, remember:
- To double check that your prescription for Lexapro is filled exactly as written by your doctor.
- If a pharmacy recommends a switch to another medication, you will not be getting what your doctor prescribed because there is no generic available for Lexapro.
- Your doctor prescribed Lexapro for you based on a thorough medical examination and that antidepressants are not identical or interchangeable.
- If Lexapro is working for you, stick with it and take Lexapro exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Set a date for when you need to come in for your next Lexapro refill.
NEXT: LEXAPRO SIDE EFFECTS