is lexapro safe
escitalopram (EEE sih TAL oh pram)
What is the most important information I should know about Lexapro?
• Do not stop taking Lexapro without first talking to your doctor is lexapro safe. It maytake several weeks for you to start feeling better is lexapro safe.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities is lexapro safe. Lexapro may cause dizziness is lexapro safe. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities is lexapro safe.
• Use alcohol cautiously is lexapro safe. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking Lexapro or affect your condition is lexapro safe.
What is Lexapro?
• Lexapro is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is lexapro safe. Lexapro affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and causedepression is lexapro safe.
• Lexapro is used to treat depression is lexapro safe.
• Lexapro may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide is lexapro safe.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Lexapro?
• Do not take Lexapro if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)during the last 2 weeks is lexapro safe. A dangerous drug interaction can occur if Lexapro iscombined with any of these medications is lexapro safe.
• Before taking Lexapro, tell your doctor if you
· have liver disease,
· have kidney disease,
· suffer from seizures, or
· suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts is lexapro safe.
• You may not be able to take Lexapro, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove is lexapro safe.
• Lexapro should not be taken during treatment with citalopram (Celexa) is lexapro safe. Also, if you have had an allergic reaction to citalopram (Celexa), you may alsohave an allergic reaction to Lexapro is lexapro safe. Do not take Lexapro without first talkingto your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to either medication inthe past is lexapro safe.
• Lexapro is in the FDA pregnancy category C is lexapro safe. This means that it is notknown whether Lexapro it will be harmful to an unborn baby is lexapro safe. Do not take Lexaprowithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment is lexapro safe.
• Lexapro passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant is lexapro safe. Do nottake Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby is lexapro safe.
How should I take Lexapro?
• Take Lexapro exactly as directed by your doctor is lexapro safe. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou is lexapro safe.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water is lexapro safe.
• To ensure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of Lexaprowith a dose-measuring spoon, cup, or dropper, not with a regular table spoon is lexapro safe. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you canget one is lexapro safe.
• Lexapro may be taken with or without food is lexapro safe.
• Lexapro is usually taken once a day is lexapro safe. Follow your doctor's instructions is lexapro safe. Take the dose at the same time each day is lexapro safe.
• Do not stop taking Lexapro without first talking to your doctor is lexapro safe. It maytake several weeks for you to start feeling better is lexapro safe.
• Store Lexapro at room temperature away from moisture and heat is lexapro safe.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember is lexapro safe. However, if it is almosttime for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take thenext one as directed is lexapro safe. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwisedirected by your doctor is lexapro safe.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention is lexapro safe.
• Symptoms of a Lexapro overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness,dizziness, sweating, and a fast heartbeat is lexapro safe.
What should I avoid while taking Lexapro?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities is lexapro safe. Lexapro may cause dizziness is lexapro safe. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities is lexapro safe.
• Use alcohol cautiously is lexapro safe. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking Lexapro or affect your condition is lexapro safe.
What are the possible side effects of Lexapro?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingLexapro and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
· low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
· high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or
· chills or fever is lexapro safe.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continuetaking Lexapro and talk to your doctor:
· headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
· nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
· sleepiness or insomnia; or
· decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm is lexapro safe.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur is lexapro safe. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome is lexapro safe.
What other drugs will affect Lexapro?
• Do not take Lexapro if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)during the last 2 weeks is lexapro safe. A dangerous drug interaction can occur when Lexaprois combined with any of these medications is lexapro safe.
• Before taking Lexapro, tell your doctor if you are taking any of thefollowing medicines:
· another antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac),fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), trazodone (Desyrel),or nefazodone (Serzone);
· a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine(Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
· a seizure medication including carbamazepine (Tegretol) or felbamate(Felbatol);
· a stomach medicine such as cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB), ranitidine(Zantac, Zantac 75), or omeprazole (Prilosec);
· an antibiotic such as erythromycin (Eryc-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., Erythrocin,P.C.E., others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
· an antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole(Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
· a migraine medication such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax),frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan(Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
· the asthma medication zafirlukast (Accolate); or
· lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs) is lexapro safe.
• You may not be able to take Lexapro, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicineslisted above is lexapro safe.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Lexapro is lexapro safe. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products is lexapro safe.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Lexapro written forhealth professionals that you may read is lexapro safe.
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