Advantages and Disadvantages of Lexapro

Lexapro---also known by its generic name escitalopram---belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These drugs are used as antidepressants, and are usually prescribed for treating anxiety and major depressive disorder. It elicits its antidepressant action by preventing the loss of serotonin in the brain, thus increasing its amount. Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that affects mood, and imbalances that can bring about mood disorders.

Advantages

• Lexapro is a drug derived from Citalopram and was approved in 2002. It is well-tolerated and has fewer side effects than its precursor. Another advantage is that patients need a smaller dose of Lexapro, as compared with some drugs of the same class. Only 10 mg per day is recommended for Lexapro, while other drugs have a higher starting dose, such as Citalopram, which requires a 40 mg dose daily. Another good thing about it, as compared with other drugs for anxiety and depression---patients reported having considerable improvements in symptoms within a week or two after initiation of therapy. It usually takes a few weeks for other antidepressants to bring about noticeable improvements.

Disadvantages: Side Effects

• Several side effects, which are anticipated occurrences when taking medications, may be felt by the patient taking Lexapro. Among the most commonly reported are insomnia, headache, diarrhea, restlessness, blurred vision and nausea. Some patients may also experience tremors, increased sweating and sexual difficulties, such as decreased sexual desire.

Disadvantages: Withdrawal Reactions

• When a person has been on a certain medication for quite some time, then decides to stop taking it, uncomfortable symptoms may be felt. These are called withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms upon withdrawal of Lexapro include tiredness, irritability, dizziness and tingling sensations. To prevent these symptoms from happening, the dose of Lexapro can be slowly tapered off, instead of suddenly quitting the medication.

Disadvantages: Possible Interactions

• Various drugs and disease conditions can cause harm to the patient when Lexapro is taken concurrently. Several drugs that may interact dangerously with Lexapro are monoamine oxidase inhibitors, like Phenelzine and Selegiline.

  The physician has to be informed if the patient has certain diseases, so as not to result in a bad interaction. Conditions that can pose a threat when taken with Lexapro include liver or kidney disease, seizures or epilepsy, manic-depressive disorder, as well as a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.