Information About Lexapro

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

BRAND NAME: LEXAPRO

Lexapro is the newest and fastest-growing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and is prescribed for more than four million patients in the U.S. This medicine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat depression. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Before using: Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before or after treatment with this medicine. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking citalopram, or weight loss drugs (e.g., sibutramine, phentermine). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking another SSRI antidepressant (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline), nefazodone, trazodone, tramadol, venlafaxine, "triptan" migraine drugs (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine, nortriptyline), carbamazepine, cimetidine, lithium, metoprolol, any herbal/natural products (e.g., melatonin, St. John's wort, ayahuasca). Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines that cause drowsiness such as medicines for sleep (e.g., sedatives), tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine), anti-seizure medicines (e.g., phenytoin), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine). Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including liver or kidney problems, seizures, heart problems, other mental/mood disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder), thyroid problems, mineral (electrolyte) problems (e.g., hyponatremia, SIADH), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.

Directions: Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F ( 15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from light and moisture. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Cautions: SEVERAL WEEKS MAY PASS before this medicine reaches its full effect. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE drowsiness or dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicines which contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of these products. Caution should be used in the elderly since they may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. F0R WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Common Uses of Lexapro: Lexapro is an anti-depressant from the family of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs. Lexapro helps to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the supply of a substance in the brain called serotonin. Lexapro appears to relieve depression by increasing serotonin without affecting many of the other chemicals in the brain that influence mood. Although the brain chemistry of depression is not fully understood, there does exist a growing body of evidence to support the view that people with depression have an imbalance of the brain's neurotransmitters. These are chemicals in the brain that allow nerve cells to communicate. One of these neurotransmitters is serotonin. An imbalance in serotonin may be an important factor in the development and severity of depression. As a result, Lexapro is able to provide effective and well-tolerated therapy for depressed patients.

Do not take Lexapro if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline), within 2 weeks before or after treatment with Lexapro. Do not take Lexapro if you are taking citalopram, or weight loss drugs (e.g., sibutramine, phentermine).

Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines that cause drowsiness such as medicines for sleep (e.g., sedatives), tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine), anti-seizure medicines (e.g., phenytoin), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine).

Lexapro Precautions: It may take 1 - 4 weeks before Lexapro reaches its full effect. Do not stop taking Lexapro without checking with your doctor.

Lexapro may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous, until you know how you react to Lexapro. Using Lexapro alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Use of alcohol can increase Lexapro side effects.

Caution should be used in the elderly since they may be more sensitive to the effects of Lexapro. If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Lexapro during pregnancy. Lexapro is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lexapro.

Lexapro Side Effects: Side effects that may occur while taking Lexapro include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, or dry mouth. If these symptoms continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience increased sweating, unusual fatigue, changes in sexual ability/interest while on Lexapro. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience stomach pain, vision changes, unusually fast or slow heartbeat, uncontrolled movements (tremors), chest pain, unusual or severe mental/mood changes, muscle cramps, restlessness, seizures, painful or prolonged erection, or change in amount of urine. An allergic reaction to Lexapro is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

If overdose of Lexapro is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of Lexapro overdose may include: dizziness, sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, tremor, drowziness, fast or pounding heartbeat, seizures, confusion, forgetfulness, fast breathing, or coma.

DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.