If you have depression or generalized anxiety disorder, your doctor may wish to give you Lexapro. This drug can be extremely effective in treating either condition. But like all drugs, it might cause side effects. Some of these might just be bothersome, while others may be severe and effect your health.
Learning more about the side effects can help you choose if the drug is right for you. Here’s an introduction of the side effects Lexapro can cause.
What is Lexapro?
Lexapro (LP) is a prescription drug. It’s available as an oral tablet and an oral liquid option. It’s authorized for use in adults and children 12 years and older. The medication belongs to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the quantity of the chemical serotonin in your brain.
Having more serotonin helps reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. LP is ruled out a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). MAOIs work by decreasing the breakdown of serotonin and dopamine, another chemical in your brain. This also helps alleviate symptoms of depression. Nevertheless, MAOIs have a greater risk of side effects and drug interactions than SSRIs such as Lexapro.
Side Effects of Lexapro
SSRIs, consisting of LP, are tolerated well compared to other types of antidepressants. In basic, you might have more side effects if you take a greater dosage of the drug. At a high dose, LP is more likely to cause intestinal side effects, such as diarrhea.
See also: Best Anti Anxiety Medications
See also: Pros and Cons of Taking Lexapro
Common side effects
The side effects of Lexapro appear to be the same in both males and females. The side effects are somewhat different for adults and children.
Adult side effects can include:
- queasiness
- drowsiness
- weakness
- dizziness
- anxiety
- sleeping trouble
- sexual problems, such as decreased libido and impotence
- sweating
- shaking
- loss of appetitive
- dry mouth
- constipation
- infection
- yawning.
The side effects for children and adolescents can include the above, plus:
- increased thirst
- irregular increase in muscle motion or agitation
- nosebleeds
- problem urinating
- heavy menstrual periods
- slowed growth and weight change.
There have been some cases of decreased appetite and weight loss with making use of LP in children and adolescents. Your child’s doctor may examine their height and weight during treatment.
Individuals with depression tend to have a low cravings and decreased body weight. In adults, some sources state LP might cause a small amount of weight gain.
Nevertheless, if you put on weight, your weight might just be evening out due to the fact that your depression is better managed and your appetite has actually returned. Other individuals lose weight when they’re taking LP. The increase in serotonin might lead to loss of appetite.
Most of these side effects are mild. They need to ultimately disappear on their own without treatment (don’t despair). If they’re more severe or do not disappear, inform your doctor.
See also: Lexapro and Pregnancy
See also: Lexapro Alternatives for Depression
Boxed alerting side effects
A boxed warning is the most serious caution from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Lexapro may increase suicidal thoughts or actions. This risk is higher in children, teens, or young adults. This is most likely to happen within the first few months of treatment or during dose changes.
Call your doctor right now if you have any of the following symptoms, or call 911 or local emergency situation services if the symptoms are brand-new, even worse, or worrisome:
- efforts to dedicate suicide
- acting on unsafe impulses
- aggressive or violent actions
- ideas about suicide or dying
- brand-new or worse depression
- new or worse anxiety or panic attacks
- feeling restless, mad, or irritable
- difficulty sleeping
- increased activity (doing more than what is typical for you)
- other unusual changes in your habits or state of mind.
Other serious side effects
LP can likewise cause other serious side effects. Call your doctor today if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or regional emergency services if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you believe you’re having a medical emergency.
Severe allergies
You ought to not take LP if you’re allergic to it, its ingredients, or the antidepressant Celexa. Symptoms can include:
- breathing trouble
- swelling of your face, tongue, eyes, or mouth
- severe rash, hives (itchy welts), or blisters that may begin with fever or joint pain.
Seizures or convulsions
There have been reports of some people having seizures while taking LP. People with a history of seizures are at greater risk.
Serotonin syndrome
This is a serious condition. It occurs when the levels of serotonin in your body get expensive. It’s more likely to happen if you also take other drugs that increase serotonin, such as other antidepressants or lithium. Symptoms can include:
- agitation
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t genuine)
- coma (loss of awareness)
- coordination problems, overactive reflexes, or muscle twitching
- racing heart rate
- high or low blood pressure
- sweating or fever
- queasiness, vomiting, or diarrhea
- muscle tightness.
Low salt levels
LP may cause low salt levels in your body. This may be more likely to take place in elders, individuals who take water pills, or individuals who are dehydrated. This side effect might cause:
- headache
- confusion
- difficulty focusing
- thinking or memory problems
- weakness
- unsteadiness that can cause falls
- seizures.
Manic episodes
If you have bipolar disorder, LP might cause you to have a manic episode. Taking LP without another drug for bipolar disorder may trigger an episode. Symptoms can include:
- greatly increased energy
- severe sleeping difficulty
- racing thoughts
- careless habits
- unusually grand concepts
- excessive happiness or irritation
- talking rapidly or more than typical.
Vision problems
LP may dilate your pupils. This might trigger a glaucoma attack, even if you do not have a history of eye problems. Symptoms can include:
- eye pain
- changes in your vision
- swelling or redness in or around your eye.
Side effects with other health conditions
If you have certain health conditions, you likely ought to not take LP. In many cases, your doctor might decrease your dosage or watch you more carefully during your treatment with it. Inform your doctor if you have any of the following health conditions prior to taking LP.
- A history of self-destructive ideas or habits– LP can increase the risk of self-destructive thinking and behavior, especially in children, teenagers, and young people.
- Bipolar disorder– if you take Lexapro without taking other medications for bipolar affective disorder, LP may cause a manic episode.
- Seizures– this drug might cause seizures and make your seizure condition even worse.
- Glaucoma– this drug may induce a glaucoma attack.
- Low salt levels– Lexapro can further lower your salt levels.
- Pregnancy– it isn’t really understood if LP will harm your coming baby.
- Breastfeeding– Lexapro might enter breast milk and cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.
Interactions with other drugs
Particular medications can interact with LP. Be sure to tell your doctor about all over the counter and prescription drugs, supplements, and herbs you take. LP might interact with the following drugs:
- blood thinners such as warfarin to increase your risk of bleeding
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin to increase your risk of bleeding
- other drugs used to treat depression to increase the level of serotonin in your body, which can cause serotonin syndrome.
Consult your doctor
LP is a powerful substance used to treat depression and anxiety. While it can be really reliable, it might likewise cause side effects. Be sure to inform your doctor about other health conditions you have and medications you take previously starting LP.
This info can help your doctor reduce your chance of side effects. Also tell your doctor if you do have any side effects. If you cannot endure the results, your doctor may change your medication. Remember that LP and other drugs in its class cause much of the same side effects.
