What is escitalopram (Lexapro)? 

Escitalopram is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Escitalopram affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety.
Escitalopram is used to treat anxiety in adults and major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents who are at least 12 years old.
Escitalopram may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide. 

What are the possible side effects of escitalopram (Lexapro)? 

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. 

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. 

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: 

• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes; 
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss  of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss  of coordination;  or
• headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing  or breathing that stops. 

• drowsiness, dizziness; 
• sleep problems (insomnia); 
• mild nausea, gas, heartburn, upset stomach, constipation; 
• weight changes; 
• decreased sex drive, impotence,  or difficulty having  an orgasm; or 
• dry mouth, yawning, ringing  in your ears. 

This is not  a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your  doctor for medical advice about side effects. You  may report side effects  to FDA 

What is the most important information I  should know about escitalopram (Lexapro)? 

Do not  take escitalopram together with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam),  or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before  you can take escitalopram. After you stop taking escitalopram, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking  an MAOI. 

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant,  especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you  at regular visits for at least  the first 12 weeks  of treatment. 

Call  your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping,  or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally  or physically), more depressed,  or have thoughts about suicide  or hurting yourself. 

SSRI antidepressants  may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take  the medication during pregnancy. However,  you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking  your antidepressant during pregnancy. If  you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while  taking escitalopram, do not stop taking  the medication without first talking  to your doctor.
It is dangerous to try and purchase escitalopram on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of escitalopram purchased on the Internet have been found to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with dangerous side effects. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide. 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking escitalopram (Lexapro)? 

It is dangerous to try and purchase escitalopram on the Internet  or from vendors outside of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of escitalopram purchased on the Internet have been found to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug  with dangerous side effects. For more information, contact  the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide. 

Do not use escitalopram  if you are using an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam). Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these medicines are taken with escitalopram.  You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you  can take escitalopram. After you stop taking escitalopram, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI. 

Before taking escitalopram, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: 

• liver or kidney disease; 
• seizures or epilepsy; 
• bipolar disorder (manic depression); or 
• a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts. 
• If  you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely  take escitalopram. 

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking  an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell  your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during  the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever  your dose is changed. 

Your family  or other caregivers  should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least  the first 12 weeks of treatment. 

FDA pregnancy category C. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious  or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take  the medication during pregnancy. However,  you may have a relapse of depression  if you stop taking  your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy,  or if you become pregnant while taking escitalopram, do not stop taking the medication without first talking  to your doctor. 

Escitalopram can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use  this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. 

Do not give escitalopram  to anyone younger than 12 years old without  the advice of a doctor. 

How should I take escitalopram (Lexapro)? 

Take this medication  exactly as it was prescribed for you.  Do not take the medication in larger amounts,  or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure  you get the best results from the medication. 

Take each  dose with a full glass  of water. 

Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label. 

To be sure you get the correct dose of liquid escitalopram, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. 
It may take 4 weeks or longer before you start feeling better.  Do not stop using escitalopram without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if  you stop taking this medication suddenly. 

Store escitalopram at room temperature away from moisture and heat. 

What happens if I miss a dose (Lexapro)? 

Take  the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it  is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine  to make up  the missed dose. 

What happens if I overdose (Lexapro)? 

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much  of this medication. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, tremor, sweating, rapid heartbeat, confusion, dizziness, seizures, and coma. 

What should I avoid while taking escitalopram (Lexapro)? 

Talk to  your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever,  or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any  of these drugs with escitalopram  may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. 

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of escitalopram. 

Escitalopram can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. 

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by escitalopram. 

What other drugs will affect escitalopram (Lexapro)? 

Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever,  or swelling. This includes aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with escitalopram may cause you to bruise or bleed easily. 

The following drugs can interact with escitalopram. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these: 

• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol); 
• cimetidine (Tagamet); 
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith); 
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); 
• any  other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft); or 
• almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig). 

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact  with escitalopram. Tell  your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.  Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. 

Where can I get more information? 

Your pharmacist can provide more information about escitalopram.