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:
- 2009-Nov-20 9:23 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Lexapro
- 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*
- 6,291,000
- 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.
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.org is currently tracking more than 36,900 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 | 69% | 
|
| Anxiety | 47% |
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 10% | 
|
| Panic Disorder | 8% |
|
| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder | 2% |
|
| Menopausal Symptoms | 2% |
|
| Other | 9% |
|
How well does Lexapro work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 36,900 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)
- 81%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Lexapro outweigh the bad things.
- 17%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Lexapro.
Common Side Effects of Lexapro
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 36,900 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.
47% of patients experience side-effects on Lexapro
5% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Lexapro
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Weight Gain
-
Sexual Problems
-
Drowsiness
-
Fatigue
-
Insomnia
-
Dizziness
-
Dry Mouth
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Anxiety, Blurred Vision, Constipation, Dryness, Headache, Increased Appetite, Loss of Appetite, Loss of Libido, Low Blood Pressure, Mental Haziness, Mood/Behavior Problems, Muscle Pain/Stiffness, Nausea/Vomiting, Occassional Bowel Problems and Swelling, Rebound Headache, Restlessness, Sweating, Tremor, Vivid Dreams
Global Patient Feedback for Lexapro (Escitalopram) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been taking this medication for nearly two years and it has truly helped me to remain calm in difficult domestic circumstances. I have not suffered any of the side effects mentioned.
80 year old female.
80 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-07 16:22:45
Question/Comment:
Been on Lexapro for 3 years now...have gained over 50 lbs....nothing works to get rid of the weight.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-05 14:31:41
Answer/Reply:
Since pronounced weight gain is not a typical side effect of Lexapro, there are probably underlying issues fueling the weight gain. And clinical research always recommends a combination of medication AND counseling as the most effective way to address emotional challenges. Have you tried both together? Do you feel there are indeed unaddressed emotional issues which could benefit from talk therapy? Also, some specific weight loss program, in combination with talk therapy, seem the best solution. Over time, and with a strong commitment to making the effort to change unhelpful patterns and styles, improvement is indeed possible. And good luck!
58 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-03 16:22:41
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Weight gain has been reported with Lexapro, although it is not very common. Other factors can cause weight gain, such as other medications and hormone fluctuations. Speak with your doctor and perhaps he/she can adjust your dose, and see if it is from the Lexapro. Also, check your diet and exercise habits, as they can often overcome the weight gain side effects of medications.
Posted: 2009-11-04 11:35:16
Question/Comment:
I was on Lexapro and had noticeable sexual side affects which greatly troubled my husband! Switched to the generic of wellbutrin and been much better for both of us.
44 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-14 16:32:32
Question/Comment:
I have been on all kinds of anti depressants and Lexapro has been the best, no side effects of jittery or dizzy. No weight gain. I am currently using a mirror image version of Lexapro, (insurance companies!) and it works just as well.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-13 01:47:28
Question/Comment:
I take lexapro at night , it works for me better i sleep good at night. im having a hard time loosing weight. i take calcuim pills for my body in the morning. with lexapro i feel better in the morning when i wake up. but i do get aniexty and nervouse at times. i get sleepy during the day to as well. i get headaches and i take advil for that or a use a head massager , i do get dreams when I do sleep at night. its bad. i hate dreams and not being able to loose weight.
37 year old female
NY 12401
36 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-09 13:05:36
Answer/Reply:
I took Lexapro for a bit over a year and gained weight on it, so I quit taking it. I thought I was beating anxiety on my own since I was on a low dose. So I quit taking it and the attacks came back. I started taking it again and it DIDN'T work the same way and made me suicidal, and the panic attacks were way worse. This is in addition to the withdrawls I had to go through to get off of it. They are not AS bad, if you take vitamins and fish oil, btw. But they are still there. They do wane a bit over time, but it takes awhile, so hold on. This is with all the SSRIs.
After being off of it since April, I need something else, and have for awhile now, but just don't want to jump on the SSRI train again. I am going to try Buspar. Right now I take Xanax and Benedryl for panic attacks. Those help but doesn't stay in system as long as the SSRIs, etc.
I will say that Lexapro DID help with anxiety, at 5mgs. a day. My Mom passed in the time I was taking it and it helped me tremendously. Had I known before I stopped that I couldn't start again and I needed it longer I would not have stopped. I had gained about 10 pounds and while that doesn't seem like much, I sure could tell. What scared me was that the weight gain might not have stopped. For some, it was much more. I wasn't wanting to wait and see. I have easily lost the weight though after stopping. That's probably due to anxiety and high metabolism when I get anxious. Never had a weight problem though really. Btw, the weight gain started about a year into taking the med.
40 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-21 05:29:59
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Patient Comments about
Lexapro