Lexapro – price, substitutes, operation

Proven content

Lexapro is one of the antidepressants prescribed by psychiatrists for certain disorders and phobias. It contains the active substance escitalopram, which acts on the central nervous system.

Lexapro – indications

Lexapro is an antidepressant drug used in psychiatry. Due to the active substance contained in the drug, escitalopram, it acts on the central nervous system. Lexapro is used to treat:

1. depressive disorders,
2. panic disorder,
3. panic disorder with agoraphobia,
4. social phobia,
5. generalized anxiety disorder,
6. obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Lexapro – dosage

Lexapro coated tablets are intended to be taken orally. A specific dose and frequency of use of the drug is determined by the attending physician. Lexapro tablets can be taken regardless of meals or with a meal.

Elderly people should exercise particular caution when taking the drug. The manufacturer of Lexapro does not recommend using the product in children younger than 18 years of age. Undesirable effects may occur with abrupt discontinuation, so it should be done gradually by reducing the dose over a period of 1-2 weeks.

Lexapro – contraindications

There are several contraindications to the use of Lexapro. Their occurrence must be consulted with a doctor. Belong to them:

1. hypersensitivity to the active substance, escitalopram, or other ingredients of the drug,
2. epilepsy,
3. diabetes,
4. mania or hypomania,
5. liver or kidney failure,
6. coronary artery disease,
7. hemorrhagic diathesis,
8. taking, in addition to Lexapro, other antidepressants (including MAO inhibitors), affecting the central nervous system, serotonergic drugs, lithium, omeprazole, flecainide, propafenone, desipramine, tryptophan, risperidone, haloperidol, metoprolol, cimetidine, nortoridiptyline, clomriptyline, oral anticoagulants and herbal remedies that contain St. John’s wort
9. pregnancy, suspected pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding.

Lexapro – side effects

The most common side effect of Lexapro is nausea. Often there are also:

1. greater or lesser hunger,
2. restlessness, including psychomotor restlessness,
3. insomnia or sleepiness
4. decreased libido, impotence, lack of orgasm and ejaculation disorders,
5. abnormal dreams
6. diarrhea, constipation, vomiting
7. muscle and joint pain,
8. tiredness, tremors and dizziness
9. fever and increased sweating
10. dry mouth
11. sinusitis,
12. paraesthesia (inappropriate perception of stimuli),
13. Lexapro and gaining weight – it is also possible to gain weight.

Less common but still possible side effects of taking Lexapro include:

1. nervousness and panic attacks,
2. visual disturbances and tinnitus,
3. sleep disturbance, taste disturbance,
4. gastrointestinal bleeding, epistaxis, vaginal bleeding,
5. hives, itching or rash
6. alopecia
7. fainting
8. teeth grinding
9. Heart arythmia,
10. confusional states,
11. weight loss.

Lexapro may affect psychomotor dysfunction. Consult your doctor and refrain from operating machinery and driving vehicles during treatment.

Lexapro – cena

The drug is available in two versions depending on the content of the active substance – Lexapro 5 mg and Lexapro 10 mg. It is sold in packs of 28 tablets. The price ranges from PLN 80 to PLN 90. Lexapro is sold on a prescription. It is not refundable. Lexapro substitutes are Andepram, Servenon, Pralex or Deprigen.

Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.