Lexapro® (Escitalopram oxalate) Consumer Medicine Information (Escitalopram Oxalate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lexapro® (Escitalopram oxalate) Used For?
Lexapro is an antidepressant medication that helps treat various mental health conditions by affecting chemicals in the brain.
Primary Uses
Lexapro is used to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder.
How It Works
Lexapro works by affecting the chemicals in the brain to help improve mood and mental well-being.
How to Take Lexapro® (Escitalopram oxalate)
Take Lexapro exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all dosage instructions carefully.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Decreased appetite or loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Sleeplessness
- Fatigue, sleepiness or drowsiness, yawning
- Increased sweating
- Sexual disturbances (decreased sexual drive, problems with ejaculation or erection, women may experience difficulties achieving orgasm)
- Agitation, confusion, panic attacks, anxiety, restlessness
- Dizziness
- Dizziness when standing up due to low blood pressure
- Rash, itching, patches of circumscribed swellings
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Serious allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, mouth or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing, or hives)
- High fever, agitation, confusion, trembling and abrupt muscle contractions (signs of serotonin syndrome)
- Mania, hallucinations
- Seizures, tremors, movement disorders (involuntary muscle movements)
- Low sodium levels in blood (feeling sick and unwell with weak muscles or confusion)
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Difficulties urinating
- Unusual secretion of breast milk
- Increased tendency to develop bruises
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Lexapro.
Who Should Not Take Lexapro® (Escitalopram oxalate)
Do not take Lexapro if you are taking pimozide (a medicine for mental disorders) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) used for depression. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping a MAOI before starting Lexapro. Taking Lexapro with MAOIs can cause a serious reaction with sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure, and severe convulsions.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: a tendency to bleed or bruise easily, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, bipolar disorder (manic depression), a history of seizures or fits, restlessness and/or a need to move often, or if you are receiving electroconvulsive therapy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Information about pregnancy and breastfeeding was not provided in the source material.
Suicide Risk: Watch for thoughts or talk of death or suicide, thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others, any recent attempts of self-harm, or increase in aggressive behaviour, irritability or agitation. Contact your doctor immediately if these occur.
Drug Interactions
Lexapro can interact with many other medications. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- Bupropion (medicine for nicotine dependence)
- Medicines for reflux and ulcers (cimetidine, omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole)
- Blood-thinning medicines (aspirin, NSAIDs, ticlopidine, warfarin)
- Mefloquine (anti-malaria medicine)
- Sumatriptan (for migraines)
- Tramadol (for pain relief)
- Heart medications (flecainide, propafenone, metoprolol)
- Tryptophan (amino acid)
- Lithium (for mood swings and depression)
- Antipsychotics (risperidone, thioridazine, haloperidol)
- Tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, desipramine)
- St John’s Wort (herbal remedy)
- Other medicines for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder or pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder
Alcohol & Driving
Information about alcohol consumption and driving while taking Lexapro was not provided in the source material.
Storage
Storage instructions were not provided in the source material.
Overdose Information
Overdose information was not provided in the source material.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must wait at least 14 days after stopping a MAOI before starting Lexapro. Your doctor will know when it is safe to start Lexapro after the MAOI has been stopped.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience thoughts or talk of death or suicide, thoughts or talk of self-harm or harm to others, any recent attempts of self-harm, or increase in aggressive behaviour, irritability or agitation.
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or other medical conditions before starting Lexapro. Your doctor will determine if it’s safe for you to take this medication.
Common side effects include decreased appetite, dry mouth, diarrhoea, nausea, sleeplessness, fatigue or drowsiness, increased sweating, and sexual disturbances such as decreased sexual drive or problems with sexual function.
Tell your doctor if you take aspirin or other pain relievers (NSAIDs) as these medicines can interact with Lexapro and may increase bleeding risk.
Serotonin syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can occur with Lexapro. Signs include high fever, agitation, confusion, trembling and abrupt muscle contractions. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms.
No, you should not take St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) with Lexapro as it can interact with the medication. Always tell your doctor about any herbal remedies you are taking.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.