Lexapro

Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) proven effective in the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Lexapro may be taken as tablets or an oral solution once daily, in the morning or evening, with or without food.

The usual recommended daily dosage of Lexapro is 10 mg. Some doctors may begin at 5 mg. The start dose and dosage can be increased to 20 mg after a minimum of one week at 10 mg.

You should not take Lexapro if you are hypersensitive to escitalopram oxalate or have a history of seizure disorder. The effectiveness of Lexapro for use with children younger than 18 years of age has not been established.

Lexapro should not be combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tryptophan, aspirin, warfarin, other SSRIs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and St. John's Wort. Use Lexapro with caution if you are pregnant/breastfeeding. Absolute contraindications exist for lexapro and MAOIs, pimozide, those with a hypersensitive reaction and active suicidality. The bleeding risk associated with aspirin, warfarin or NSAIDs is an association; patients are discouraged from using these agents together. Talk with your psychiatrist if on warfarin. Using these agents isn't an absolute contraindication.

The most common side effects of taking Lexapro are insomnia or somnolence, nausea and headache.

Use of Lexapro can carry risks, including the potential for clinical worsening and suicide, serotonin syndrome and withdrawal effects. Close monitoring by your psychiatrist or doctor is important.

• Ativan
• BuSpar
• Effexor XR
• Klonopin
• Luvox CR
• Paxil
• Prozac
• Valium
• Vistaril
• Xanax
• Zoloft

_Source:

Forest Pharmaceuticals. Lexapro Prescribing Information. Accessed December 17, 2008.