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Lexapro (Escitalopram Oxalate) Drug Online

Indications and Usage

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Lexapro (Escitalopram) is used to treat depression and anxiety.

Dosage & Administration

Adult dosage for anxiety & depression:

• The first dosage consists of ten milligrams once each day for at least one week, then an increment to twenty milligrams.
• A maintenance dose is between ten to twenty milligrams. 
• The maximum dosage is twenty milligrams.

Older adults should not use more than ten milligrams once each day in cases of depression.

Acute depression cases may require prolonged therapy using Escitalopram. However, it is necessary to evaluate the patient at intervals to ascertain the treatment timeline.

Note: there is insufficient data on Lexapro’s effectiveness when treating anxiety beyond eight weeks.

Pediatric Dose for depression (twelve years and above):

• Begin with ten milligrams for three weeks. Afterward, the physician can increase it to twenty milligrams if necessary.
• The maintenance dose is between ten to twenty milligrams once daily.
• Pediatric patients can consume a maximum of twenty milligrams once each day.

Note: Lexapro is not suitable for children younger than twelve years old.

Instructions for Administration

• Lexapro must be consumed according to the physician’s prescription.
• Consume each dose within a specified time every day.
• If administering liquid Lexapro, use a metered dropper or medical dosing device for correct dosing.
• The first dose is usually small to lessen your chances of suffering certain side effects. Avoid ingesting more than what was prescribed unless a physician instructs you to do so. 
• Don’t use Lexapro beyond the stipulated treatment period.
• Don’t discontinue therapy abruptly. The physician will reduce the dosage you’re ingesting gradually until you’re completely weaned off.
• If administering Lexapro to a pediatric patient, regularly check their weight and height.
• The patient’s symptoms may improve after four weeks of therapy. But if it doesn’t, inform your doctor immediately.

Overdosage

Overdosing on Lexapro can result in:

• Delayed seizures
• Serotonin syndrome
• Coma
• Hypertension

Anyone who consumes excess Lexapro should be placed under intensive cardiac monitoring. Activated charcoal could be used to resolve early presentation of overdose.

Dosage Forms & Strengths

Lexapro drugs are in these forms and strengths: 

• Tablets: twenty milligrams, ten milligrams, and five milligrams
• Liquid: 240 mL bottle  

Contraindications

• Avoid combining Escitalopram with monoamine oxide inhibitors when treating psychiatric disorders.
• Avoid administering Escitalopram 2 weeks after administering a monoamine oxide inhibitor.
• Avoid administering monoamine oxide inhibitor fourteen days after administering Lexapro.

Failure to adhere to these instructions will result in serotonin syndrome. Examples of monoamine oxide inhibitors include linezolid, rasagiline, and tranylcypromine.

People who fall into the category below must avoid consuming Lexapro. 

• Consuming pimozide.
• Hypersensitive to citalopram and/or other ingredients in Lexapro.
• Consuming stimulants, opioids, herbs, and medications for Parkinson’s disease, nausea, headache, and infection.

Warnings & Precautions

• Inform your physician if you’ve experienced:
  • Liver or renal problems
  • Seizures
  • Reduced blood sodium
  • Hypertension
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Hemophilia
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Addiction to drugs
  • Glaucoma
  • Intestinal bleeding
• Mention any allergies you have experienced as Lexapro might have other ingredients that could trigger them.
• Lexapro could result in QT prolongation. This is especially true for patients with other underlying illnesses such as a recent cardiac arrest.
• Escitalopram induces drowsiness. Don’t combine it with alcohol. Don’t drive, operate machines, or do activities that need you to stay alert.
• If consuming marijuana, inform a physician before ingesting Lexapro.
• Diabetic patients should avoid consuming liquid Lexapro since it contains sugar and artificial sweeteners. Get clearance from a physician before consuming it.
• Geriatric patients are highly prone to the side effects of Escitalopram, particularly if they’re consuming diuretics.
• Pediatric patients may experience weight loss.
• Lexapro can transfer into your breast milk. If you’re lactating, consult a physician before use.
• Untreated mental disorders will present severe conditions. Therefore, patients must continue therapy until the doctor gives them clearance to quit.
• Consuming Escitalopram during pregnancy may harm the fetus. Seek medical counsel before using.

Adverse Reactions & Side Effects

Lexapro presents the following side effects:

• Drowsiness
• Insomnia
• Changes in the menstrual period
• Reduced libido
• Anxiety
• Lack of appetite
• Perspiration
• Yawning
• Painful urination
• Unstable movements

More severe side effects like the following require immediate medical attention:

• Mood swings
• Swollen eyes associated with pain
• Blurry vision
• Retarded growth in children
• Weakness
• Uncoordinated movement
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Severe fever
• Tremor 
• Irregular heartbeat

An allergic reaction to Lexapro could present itself in the following forms:

• Hives
• Swollen facials
• Difficulty in breathing 

Ensure to contact a physician immediately if you notice the allergy.

If the symptoms below become worse, inform a physician immediately.

• Feelings of aggression
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Chronic depression
• Suicidal thoughts

Also, seek medical care if you develop serotonin syndrome, which includes:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Profuse perspiration
• Lack of coordination
• Agitation
• Racing heart
• Stiff muscles
• Vomiting

Drug Interactions

Lexapro interacts with these medicines:

• Monoamine oxide inhibitor e.g., safinamide, methylene blue, phenelzine, etc.
• Blood thinners e.g., warfarin
• NSAIDS e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin, diclofenac, etc.
• Sleeping medicine e.g., diazepam
• Anti-seizure medications
• Opioid

When you combine Aspirin with Lexapro, you may bleed more than expected. But the physician or pharmacist could reduce the aspirin dosage if prescribing it for the prevention of stroke or a cardiovascular disease. The recommended dosage is between eighty-one milligrams and one hundred and sixty-two milligrams daily. Don’t adjust the dose unless a physician says so.

It is also important to note that Lexapro could give false laboratory test results for some tests like Parkinson’s disease. Ensure medical personnel are aware of any medications you consume.

Drug Abuse & Dependence

From studies conducted on animals, scientists are of the opinion that patients are less likely to abuse Lexapro. However, human trials are yet to be conducted to ascertain patients’ physical dependency levels, abuse, as well as tolerance. 

So far, no patient has shown any dependence behavior, but predictions cannot be made based on this premise given that the observations weren’t systematic. Therefore, doctors are encouraged to critically consider whether their patients have previously abused drugs or other substances before administering Lexapro. If so, they should monitor them closely for behavioral traits of drug misuse or abuse such as a burning hunger for high doses, always seeking to ingest the medicine, and tolerance development.