Drug Uses

Generic Lexapro is used to treat mental depression and Genericized anxiety disorder (GAD). It works by restoring the balance of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain, which helps to improve certain mood problems.


How To Use

Take Generic Lexapro by mouth with or without food. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Try to take the medicine at the same time each day.


Possible Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
• Very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes.
• A prolonged, painful erection.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination.
• Headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting,
  seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

Less serious Generic Lexapro side effects may include:
• Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, yawning, ringing in your ears.
• Sleep problems (insomnia).
• Mild nausea, gas, heartburn, upset stomach, constipation, or weight changes.
• Decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.


Precautions

Do not take Generic Lexapro together with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take Generic Lexapro. After you stop taking Lexapro, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI.

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have any allergies, or if you have liver or kidney disease; seizures or epilepsy; bipolar disorder (manic depression); or a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.

Before taking Generic Lexapro, tell your doctor what medicines you are already taking, including nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling, including aspirin, NSAIDs and others. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines: carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith); blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin); other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft); almotriptan (Axert); frovatriptan (Frova); sumatriptan (Imitrex); naratriptan (Amerge); rizatriptan (Maxalt); zolmitriptan (Zomig).

Generic Lexapro can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of this medicine.

Generic Lexapro may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take it during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. If you decide to breastfeed, Generic Lexapro is not recommended.

You should never stop taking Generic Lexapro without consulting your doctor. An abrupt decrease in dose could cause withdrawal symptoms.


Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, tremor, sweating, rapid heartbeat, confusion, dizziness, seizures, and coma.


Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.


Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children.