Lexapro

Generic Lexapro is Escitalopram. This is actually one of the popular drugs prescribed in the United States of America. But what is Lexapro, to be exact?

Lexapro is actually an antidepressant. The antidepressant Lexapro works as an SSRI or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Serotonin is actually a hormone that can be found in the pineal gland, the brain, the digestive track, and the blood platelets. This hormone serves as a chemical messenger that transmits nerve signals. These nerve signals are transmitted to and from nerve cells. This transmission actually leads to the narrowing of blood vessels. When there are changes in the level of serotonin in the brain, then that’s when the problem sets in.

Lexapro increases the activity of serotonin in the brain. The increase of serotonin levels in the brain helps elevate the mood of a depressive person.

But patients have to be careful when taking Lexapro, especially if he or she is under eighteen years of age. Studies have shown that the patient’s state of depression can sometimes heighten at the beginning of Lexapro medication. An increase in suicidal thoughts also occurs. This is why younger patients have to be monitored constantly when taking Lexapro medication. Any mood changes should be kept under watchful eye.

These sudden mood changes are manifested more if the patient has a history of bipolar disorder. The more common term for this disorder is actually manic-depressive disorder. With bipolar disorder, one cannot really determine for sure if the behavior manifested by the patient already constitutes an episode. Just keep an eye on how frequent these mood swings are. And should these mood swings seem out of the normal context already, contact the physician right away.

Lexapro should be taken with precaution by elderly patients as well. Being of old age, they are more sensitive to the expected and side effects of Lexapro. These patients should be constantly monitored; so as to make sure the treatment is going as smoothly as it’s supposed to.

Then there’s the matter of the side effects of Lexapro to consider. The more common Lexapro side effects are back pain, decreased sex drive, diarrhea, drowsiness, impotence, nausea, appetite loss, upset stomach, vomiting, fatigue, and insomnia. Since Lexapro can cause drowsiness and dizziness, then alcohol and Lexapro should not be taken together at all. This is especially true when one is driving. And alcohol is not just the substance one should not take with Lexapro at all. One should not take any other form of medication that can cause drowsiness, like sedatives or tranquilizers, while taking Lexapro. The combination can really cause more harm than good.

Another important thing know about Lexapro is that a patient should not stop taking it suddenly. This is something that should never be done without the approval of the physician. Lexapro withdrawal symptoms can occur if this should happen, and these include skin sensations, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, agitation, lethargy, nausea, sudden mood sings, and an increased state of confusion. One’s Lexapro medication should never be stopped suddenly. Even physicians decrease the dosage of Lexapro, should there be a need for treatment to be stopped. Patients should then heed the instructions of their physician regarding their Lexapro medication all the time.

The full effects of the Lexapro antidepressant won’t reach in full until several weeks into the treatment. This is because Lexapro takes quite some time to take its full effect. But it most likely reaches its full effect before the prescribed treatment period is finished. When this happens, the patient should not discontinue his or her treatment. It’s important to finish the whole treatment period, despite feeling better already. And doses should not be missed as well. Double doses of Lexapro should not be taken, for this can lead to adverse effects on the patient.

Just remember that Lexapro is a very strong drug, and is not one that should be taken by just anybody at any time. So, be sure to keep in mind the precautionary measure entailed in taking Lexapro.