About Lexapro

FAQs

  • 1. 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 may 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. There is no available generic substitute for Lexapro. Fill your prescription right away, the sooner you begin taking Lexapro as prescribed by your healthcare provider, the sooner you may begin to feel better. For more information, see: How Lexapro Works.
  • 2. What is Lexapro?
  • Lexapro is an antidepressant and a member of the family of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
  • 3. How does Lexapro work?
  • Lexapro is believed to work by increasing serotonin, a substance in the brain believed to influence mood.
  • 4. 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. Full antidepressant/anxiolytic effect may take 4 to 6 weeks. You should follow up with your healthcare professional and report your progress. Don't feel discouraged if your symptoms don't improve right away. For some patients it takes longer. Keep taking your medicine until your healthcare professional advises differently. For more information, see: Should I Take Lexapro Daily?
  • 5. Can I stop taking Lexapro once I feel better?
  • While you may notice improvement in a few weeks, you should continue therapy as directed by your healthcare professional. Your healthcare professional may ask you to keep taking Lexapro even if you are feeling better. Only your healthcare professional should determine the appropriate length of treatment. Talk with your healthcare professional before stopping Lexapro or changing your dose. For more information, see: For how long should I take Lexapro?
  • 6. Are there side effects with Lexapro?
  • In clinical trials, the most common side effects associated with Lexapro treatment in adults were nausea, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), ejaculation disorder (primarily ejaculation delay), fatigue and drowsiness, increased sweating, decreased libido, and anorgasmia (difficulty achieving orgasm). Side effects in pediatric patients were generally similar to those seen in adults; however, the following additional side effects were reported commonly in pediatric patients: back pain, urinary tract infection, vomiting, and nasal congestion. This is not a complete list of side effects. For additional information, please see Full Prescribing Information for Lexapro.
  • 7. Can I use Lexapro if I am pregnant?
  • Talk to your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking Lexapro. There have been no studies done that show Lexapro is safe to use in pregnant women. Therefore, Lexapro should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the unborn child. Be sure to talk to your doctor about this important decision.
  • 8. Can I use Lexapro if I am breastfeeding?
  • Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they are breastfeeding an infant. Lexapro, like many other medicines, is excreted in breast milk. Therefore, the doctor and patient must decide whether to continue or discontinue either nursing or Lexapro. The decision to continue Lexapro should take into account the risks for the infant and the benefits of Lexapro for the mother.
  • 9. Does Lexapro cause weight gain?
  • In controlled studies, clinically important changes in body weight were similar for patients treated with Lexapro and those treated with placebo (sugar pill). If you have concerns about any side effects, you should talk with your healthcare professional.
  • 10. How and when should I take Lexapro?
  • Lexapro should be taken once every day. It may be taken with or without food, in the morning or evening. Remember to fill prescriptions ahead of time to avoid missing a dose. To get the best results, it is important to follow all of your healthcare professional's instructions about how and when you should take Lexapro.
  • 11. Can I take Lexapro with other medicines?

  • 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, Celexa, generic citalopram, or any of the components of Lexapro
    • Taking Celexa® (citalopram) or generic citalopram

    Also, to avoid a potentially serious or 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), tramadol, or tryptophan
    • Any other medication prescribed for a psychiatric condition
    • NSAID pain relievers (such as Advil®, Motrin®, ibuprofen, Aleve®, or naproxen), aspirin, warfarin, or blood thinners
    • Diuretics
  • 12. How else can I help my recovery in addition to taking Lexapro?
  • Be sure to keep follow-up appointments with your healthcare professional. He or she needs to track your progress. In addition to taking a medicine such as Lexapro, you may want to participate in psychotherapy or "talk therapy." These counseling sessions can help you understand how your disorder affects you and find ways to cope with the illness. Regular physical exercise can also improve feelings of well-being. In addition, it may help to cut back on or eliminate caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, or soda. To find out which of these or other suggestions might be right for you, talk with your healthcare professional.
  • 13. Will Lexapro affect my sex drive?
  • Although changes in sexual desire, sexual performance, and sexual satisfaction may occur during a depressive episode, they may also be a consequence of treatment with SSRI therapies including Lexapro. If you have questions about sexual dysfunction, speak with your healthcare professional.
  • 14. Can I drink alcoholic beverages while taking Lexapro?
  • You should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking Lexapro.
  • 15. What should I do if I miss a dose?
  • If you forget to take your prescribed dose of Lexapro, take the missed dose that same day as soon as you remember. The next day, resume according to your regular dosing schedule. Doubling a daily dose to compensate for a missed dose is not recommended. If you have additional questions about dosing, please talk to your healthcare professional.
  • 16. What if I have more questions about Lexapro?
  • Your healthcare professional should be able to answer any questions you have about your treatment. For additional information, please see Full Prescribing Information for Lexapro.
  • 17. For how long should I take Lexapro?

  • Depression and generalized anxiety disorder are usually chronic medical conditions that may require long-term treatment. If your symptoms are currently controlled and you stop taking your medication for a few days, you run the risk of a relapse.

    However, it is important to take your medicine as long as your healthcare professional advises, even if you start feeling better; otherwise your depression or anxiety could return or worsen. Full recovery takes time.

  • 18. Will Lexapro work better than my current medication?
  • Only your healthcare professional can determine whether Lexapro is the right treatment option for you. Speak with your healthcare professional before stopping any medication. Only a healthcare professional can make decisions regarding your treatment. For more information about talking with your healthcare professional, see: Talk with Your Doctor.
  • 19. Is there a generic Lexapro?
  • No, there is no available generic version of Lexapro. If your healthcare professional prescribed Lexapro, make sure your pharmacist fills as prescribed. Your healthcare professional prescribed Lexapro for a reason and can share with you why they chose Lexapro for you. For more information, see: Why Take Lexapro or Talk with Your Doctor.


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