About Lexapro

Additional Risk Information

Do not take Lexapro if you are:

  • Taking or have recently taken a type of drug called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as Nardil® (phenelzine sulfate) or Parnate® (tranylcypromine sulfate)
  • Taking a type of antipsychotic medicine called Orap® (pimozide)
  • Allergic to or have had a bad reaction to Lexapro, any of the components of Lexapro, Celexa, or generic citalopram
  • Taking Celexa® (citalopram) or generic citalopram

Also, to avoid a serious or potentially life-threatening condition, tell your healthcare professional if you are taking, or planning to take, any prescription or over-the-counter medications, including:

  • Other SSRIs, serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), certain migraine or headache medications (triptans or tramadol), or tryptophan
  • Any other medication prescribed for a psychiatric or neurological condition
  • NSAID pain relievers (such as Advil®, Motrin®, ibuprofen, Aleve®, or naproxen), aspirin, warfarin, or blood thinners
  • Diuretics

Nardil is a registered trademark of Parke Davis.
Parnate is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.
Orap is a registered trademark of Teva Pharmaceuticals USA.
Advil is a registered trademark of Wyeth Consumer Healthcare.
Motrin is a registered trademark of McNeil Consumer Healthcare.
Aleve is a registered trademark of Bayer HealthCare LLC.

NEXT: FAQs ABOUT LEXAPRO

PRINT    Text Size: resetmediumlarge

Why was I prescribed Lexapro?

Lexapro is a prescription medicine for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and adolescents aged 12-17 years and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. MDD and GAD are real medical conditions that require diagnosis and treatment from a healthcare professional. Lexapro is a safe and effective medication that can help improve symptoms of depression in adults and adolescents aged 12-17 and generalized anxiety disorder in adults. Your healthcare professional chose Lexapro for a reason. ...more

When will I start feeling better?

You may notice an improvement in 1 to 4 weeks; however, you should continue to take Lexapro as directed by your healthcare professional.... more

View More Questions

Patient Information

View the Guide for Adults With Depression or Anxiety (GAD) , or select another guide.

Select a Guide

© 2010 Forest Laboratories, Inc.
41-1014695 02/10

If you have any questions, discuss them with your doctor or healthcare professional.  For additional information about Lexapro, call the Forest Medical Information and Communication Department toll-free at 800-678-1605, ext. 66297.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.People depicted in images are models. Images are used for illustrative purposes only

Close

You are now leaving the Lexapro Website. Links to other websites are provided as a service to you. Forest Laboratories accepts no responsibility for the content of other Websites. Would you like to continue?

YesNo