What Is Lexapro Oral Solution Used For?

Lexapro oral solution contains escitalopram oxalate, which belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications work by affecting brain chemicals called amines that help control mood.

Primary Uses

Lexapro is primarily used to treat depression – a condition that is longer lasting and more severe than normal mood changes from everyday stress. It may also be used to treat social anxiety disorder (fear of social situations), generalized anxiety disorder (excessive anxiety and worry), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (unwanted repetitive thoughts and behaviors).

How It Works

Depression is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain. This imbalance affects your whole body and can cause emotional and physical symptoms like feeling low, loss of interest in activities, poor appetite, disturbed sleep, and lack of energy. Lexapro corrects this chemical imbalance and may help relieve these symptoms.

How to Take Lexapro Oral Solution

Your doctor will determine the right dose for you. Take Lexapro as a single dose either in the morning or evening, with or without food.

Dosage Instructions

The standard dose is 10 mg per day, which may be increased by your doctor to 20 mg per day. For elderly patients, the maximum recommended dose is 10 mg per day. Patients with liver disease should start with 5 mg daily for the first two weeks. To measure doses: 5 drops = 5 mg, 10 drops = 10 mg, 20 drops = 20 mg. Turn the bottle upside down and count drops into water, orange juice, or apple juice. Stir briefly and drink all of it. Do not mix with other liquids or medications.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you remember within 12 hours of your usual time, take it right away and continue your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

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
• Diarrhea
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Sleeplessness
• Fatigue, sleepiness or drowsiness
• Yawning
• Increased sweating
• Sexual disturbances (decreased sexual drive, problems with ejaculation or erection, difficulty achieving orgasm)

Important Warnings

There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Lexapro oral solution.

Who Should Not Take Lexapro Oral Solution

Do not use Lexapro if you are allergic to escitalopram oxalate, citalopram, or any ingredients in the medication. Do not take with pimozide or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide, linezolid, or selegiline. Wait 14 days after stopping MAOIs before starting Lexapro, and wait 14 days after stopping Lexapro before taking MAOIs.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: tendency to bleed or bruise easily, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, bipolar disorder, history of seizures, restlessness, raised eye pressure or risk of angle-closure glaucoma, or if you’re receiving electroconvulsive therapy.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Lexapro may affect sperm quality and fertility. When taken during pregnancy, especially in the last three months, it may affect your newborn and increase risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), causing faster breathing and bluish appearance. There’s also increased risk of heavy vaginal bleeding after birth. Never stop Lexapro abruptly during pregnancy. Breastfeeding is not recommended as the medication passes into breast milk.

Drug Interactions

Many medications can interact with Lexapro and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.

• Bupropion (nicotine dependence treatment)
• Cimetidine, omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole (reflux/ulcer medications)
• NSAIDs like aspirin (anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Ticlopidine, warfarin (blood thinners)
• Fluconazole (antifungal)
• Mefloquine (anti-malaria)
• Sumatriptan (migraine treatment)
• Tramadol (pain reliever)
• Flecainide, propafenone, metoprolol (heart medications)
• Tryptophan (amino acid)
• Lithium (mood stabilizer)
• Risperidone, thioridazine, haloperidol (antipsychotics)
• Imipramine, desipramine (tricyclic antidepressants)
• St John’s Wort (herbal remedy)
• Other depression, anxiety, or OCD medications

Alcohol & Driving

Lexapro can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol. Take precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. It is not advisable to drink alcohol while being treated for depression with Lexapro.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Lexapro affects you. The medication may cause visual disturbances (blurred vision), nausea, fatigue, and dizziness, especially early in treatment. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that could be dangerous.

Storage

Store Lexapro oral solution in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep in the original packaging and away from children. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Discard the oral solution 8 weeks after first opening. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above ground is ideal for storage.

Overdose Information

If you think you have taken too much Lexapro, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, agitation, tremor, and rarely convulsions and coma. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.

Frequently Asked Questions