Effective Control of Symptoms — With Fewer Side Effects
Lexapro has been proven to be an effective treatment for
depression. In controlled
studies, Lexapro significantly
improved the symptoms of depression for many patients beginning at
week 1 or 2 (full antidepressant effect may take 4 to 6 weeks).2
In clinical trials, the number of people who stopped taking their
medicine due to side effects was about the same for people taking
Lexapro at 10 mg per day as it was for placebo (sugar pill).4
A recent controlled
studyA study in which a test treatment is compared with a treatment
that has known effects. The control group may receive no treatment,
standard treatment (which may be another medicine or another approach
to care), or placebo (sugar pill.) of major
depressive disorder (MDD)This is a physician's term for a specific
type of depression. A person who suffers from a major depressive disorder
must have either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure
in daily activities. The person must have these symptoms consistently
for at least a two-week period. Furthermore, this mood must represent
a change from the person's normal mood. It should also be having a
negative impact on his or her daily function, such as family, work,
socializing, etc. A depressed mood caused by drugs or alcohol, or
one caused by a medical condition, is not considered a major depressive
disorder. Remember, only a doctor can properly diagnose this or any
other disorder. compared 20 mg/day of Lexapro with 225
mg/day of Effexor XR® (venlafaxine HCl). In this study, Lexapro
was found to be just as effective as Effexor. Lexapro was also less
likely to cause side effects than Effexor.5
Can be used safely in patients who've previously used other depression
medicines. Medicines can sometimes work differently in different people.
That's why it is not unusual for doctors to recommend that their patients
change medicines to get better relief of their symptoms.
Remember, it is important to take your medicine for as long as your healthcare
professional advises, even if you start feeling better. Otherwise
your symptoms could return or worsen. Full recovery takes time.
Effexor XR is a registered trademark of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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