lexapro for anxiety
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 lexapro for anxiety. It maytake several weeks for you to start feeling better lexapro for anxiety.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities lexapro for anxiety. Lexapro may cause dizziness lexapro for anxiety. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities lexapro for anxiety.
• Use alcohol cautiously lexapro for anxiety. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking Lexapro or affect your condition lexapro for anxiety.
What is Lexapro?
• Lexapro is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors lexapro for anxiety. Lexapro affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and causedepression lexapro for anxiety.
• Lexapro is used to treat depression lexapro for anxiety.
• Lexapro may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide lexapro for anxiety.
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 lexapro for anxiety. A dangerous drug interaction can occur if Lexapro iscombined with any of these medications lexapro for anxiety.
• 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 lexapro for anxiety.
• 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 lexapro for anxiety.
• Lexapro should not be taken during treatment with citalopram (Celexa) lexapro for anxiety. Also, if you have had an allergic reaction to citalopram (Celexa), you may alsohave an allergic reaction to Lexapro lexapro for anxiety. Do not take Lexapro without first talkingto your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to either medication inthe past lexapro for anxiety.
• Lexapro is in the FDA pregnancy category C lexapro for anxiety. This means that it is notknown whether Lexapro it will be harmful to an unborn baby lexapro for anxiety. Do not take Lexaprowithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment lexapro for anxiety.
• Lexapro passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant lexapro for anxiety. Do nottake Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby lexapro for anxiety.
How should I take Lexapro?
• Take Lexapro exactly as directed by your doctor lexapro for anxiety. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou lexapro for anxiety.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water lexapro for anxiety.
• 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 lexapro for anxiety. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you canget one lexapro for anxiety.
• Lexapro may be taken with or without food lexapro for anxiety.
• Lexapro is usually taken once a day lexapro for anxiety. Follow your doctor's instructions lexapro for anxiety. Take the dose at the same time each day lexapro for anxiety.
• Do not stop taking Lexapro without first talking to your doctor lexapro for anxiety. It maytake several weeks for you to start feeling better lexapro for anxiety.
• Store Lexapro at room temperature away from moisture and heat lexapro for anxiety.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember lexapro for anxiety. However, if it is almosttime for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take thenext one as directed lexapro for anxiety. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwisedirected by your doctor lexapro for anxiety.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention lexapro for anxiety.
• Symptoms of a Lexapro overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness,dizziness, sweating, and a fast heartbeat lexapro for anxiety.
What should I avoid while taking Lexapro?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities lexapro for anxiety. Lexapro may cause dizziness lexapro for anxiety. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities lexapro for anxiety.
• Use alcohol cautiously lexapro for anxiety. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking Lexapro or affect your condition lexapro for anxiety.
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 lexapro for anxiety.
• 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 lexapro for anxiety.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur lexapro for anxiety. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome lexapro for anxiety.
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 lexapro for anxiety. A dangerous drug interaction can occur when Lexaprois combined with any of these medications lexapro for anxiety.
• 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) lexapro for anxiety.
• 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 lexapro for anxiety.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Lexapro lexapro for anxiety. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products lexapro for anxiety.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Lexapro written forhealth professionals that you may read lexapro for anxiety.
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