Get Informed: Lexapro
Active Ingredient(s)
Escitalopram
What does it do?
This product is primarily used for the treatment of depression and anxiety. It works by prolonging the effect of serotonin, an important chemical in the brain.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 6:14 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Lexapro
- Cipralex
- Escitalopram
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior when used in children, adolescents, and young adults with depression. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, the following national suicide hotlines are available in the U.S. to help you: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) and 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 14 Aug 2002
- Est US Patients*
- 6,037,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Lexapro or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Lexapro
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Lexapro during the past year.
Lexapro Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Lexapro interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Lexapro used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 40,200 patients that use Lexapro (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Depression | 72% | 
|
| Anxiety | 59% | 
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 6% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 5% | 
|
| Migraine/Headache | 2% |
|
| Menopausal Symptoms | 2% | 
|
| Other | 2% |
|
How well does Lexapro work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 40,200 users taking Lexapro (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 90%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Lexapro outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Lexapro.
Common Side Effects of Lexapro
iGuard regularly polls our more than 40,200 users taking Lexapro (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
34% of patients experience side-effects on Lexapro
6% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Lexapro
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Loss of Libido
-
Weight Gain
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Fatigue
-
Drowsiness
-
Insomnia
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Anxiety, Constipation, Dizziness, Dryness, Grogginess/Confusion, Hair Loss, Headache, Hot Flashes, Itch/Rash, Loss of Appetite, Memory/Speech Problems, Mood/Behavior Changes, Restlessness, Suicidal Thoughts, Sweating, Tremor, Vision Changes, Vivid Dreams
Global Patient Feedback for Lexapro (Escitalopram) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I started meds with Librium in the fifties and have struggled with so many drugs I can't remember how many. Now I am on Lexapro and have never felt such peace. After a serious event, I was upped to 15 mg. and am able to monitor my emotions with no serious dips. Thank you Dear Lord. My family is full of depression, anxiety and ADD. This is not boot strap management disorder. 75 yr. female.
76 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-11 22:13:25
Question/Comment:
I was first prescribed Lexapro over 6 yrs ago, right after the death of my Dad. I only took it for a short time, I stopped taking it when I realized that emotionally,I had shut down.I couldn't grieve over his death, like I felt I should.
I am now back on Lexapro & Adderall,for about 2 yrs now,I would highly recommend Lexapro to anyone.I realize now,that I should have never stopped taking the meds yrs ago.Emotionally I feel the best that I've ever felt!
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-07 23:54:45
Question/Comment:
I have been taking 20 mg of Lexapro for over a year now and the difference in my anxiety has been night and day. My life is so much better being on the Lexapro. My mind and thoughts are clearer and healthier. However, the only negative I have experienced is that I have gained a significant amount of weight and the fatigue. Lexapro changed my life so much that the "good" overcomes the "bad". I highly recommend it to anyone who is suffering with anxiety.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-03 11:07:49
Question/Comment:
I have been on Lexapro for a few months and it helped me a lot BUT I was having trouble with early morning sleep. My eyes would be closed and I would be dreaming but also partly awake. That was no big deal but last week, I feel asleep on the couch, my wife woke me suddenly and I found myself in a panic. Everything seemed strange and I could not think clearly. I thought for sure I had lost my mind. After a lifetime of panic attacks this was VERY different. A real living nightmare. Sure enough I did research and I am not losing my mind. Lexapro can effect your REM sleep. It in fact was almost like sleep walking. I am going back to what works best for me, pulling up my boot straps and fighting without drugs.
48 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-01 22:23:15
Answer/Reply:
For many Americans, depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. Those with major depressive disorder with vegetative signs of depression do not have the option of pulling oneself up by the bootstraps. It is opinions such as those that perpetuate the myth that mental illness is some weakness or flaw of character. I hope diabetics dont decide to stop their insulin and go with mind over matter
49 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-11 10:08:30
Question/Comment:
Does anyone know the long-term effectiveness of Lexapro? Is there a certain point where taking more milligrams of it doesn't really help? I've been on 20 mg for about 3 years, and it still seems to work as long as I'm not too fatigued.
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-06 10:49:24
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Twenty milligrams of Lexapro is a very reasonable dose and the highest studied dose. It is possible your body will become accustomed to this dose of medication. If this happens, you can switch to another medication or discuss with your physician your options. Being fatigued can cause symptoms to be increased. It is helpful to eat a balanced diet and do your best to get adequate rest. Lexapro can be usually be taken long-term without significant side effects.
Posted: 2010-02-10 11:07:44
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
354
Patient Comments about
Lexapro