The Effects of Lexapro on Bipolarism

Lexapro, or escitalopram, is an antidepressant medication classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Lexapro has been used by psychiatrists to treat bipolarism even though there may be some serious negative side effects.

Approved Uses

• Lexapro is approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. However, the FDA states Lexapro is not approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Action

• Lexapro works by allowing serotonin's mood elevating and stabilizing effects to last longer in the brain. This alleviates the depressive episodes common to bipolarism but may also result in the negative effects associated with Lexapro use.

Increased Mania

• By increasing the emotional baseline, Lexapro may increase the frequency of manic episodes.

Suicide Risk

• Antidepressants may increase the risk for suicide. The mania phase of bipolarism combined with Lexapro may shift a patient from "too depressed to commit suicide" to "feeling up to finally doing it" much quicker, decreasing the chance for intervention.

Warning

• Seek immediate medical intervention if you experience any thoughts of suicide while on Lexapro or if you experience increased manic episodes.