{"id":41570,"date":"2021-09-17T14:39:29","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T18:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=41570"},"modified":"2024-09-19T11:54:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T15:54:03","slug":"lexapro-side-effects-in-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lexapro-side-effects-in-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Lexapro side effects in women"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lexapro\/dosage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lexapro<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/escitalopram-oxalate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">escitalopram<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) is a common brand-name antidepressant. This selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treats anxiety and depression by decreasing serotonin breakdown in the brain. Those with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/depression-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">depression<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/anxiety-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anxiety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may be prescribed Lexapro in addition to lifestyle changes and therapies in order to help better control and minimize symptoms. Lexapro is a popular treatment option, but consulting a doctor about side effects is critical to understanding what to expect and determining the best medication for patients\u2019 specific needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/ssris\"><b>List of SSRIs<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19 and mental health<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The incidence of generalized anxiety disorder and depression has ramped up from the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. From January to February 2021, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/70\/wr\/mm7013e2.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (CDC) reported that more than 2 in 5 adults ages 18 years or older experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression within the past seven days of being surveyed. In one <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/anxiety-survey\/#anxiety-statistics-by-sex\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SingleCare survey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of 2,000 people, 62% of respondents experienced some degree of anxiety, which was more common in women than men.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/prescription-drug-trends-2020\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">analysis of SingleCare prescription data<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we found that prescription fills for generic Lexapro had increased 70% in 2020. Lexapro treats general anxiety disorder, anxiety with depression, and major depressive disorder. It can also be an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessdata.fda.gov\/drugsatfda_docs\/label\/2017\/021323s047lbl.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">off-label treatment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for panic attacks, insomnia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Serotonin, the chemical that Lexapro increases in the brain, is considered a \u201chappy hormone\u201d that\u2019s responsible for stabilizing mood, causing a feeling of well-being, and increasing happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression and anxiety in women<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aafp.org\/afp\/1999\/0701\/p225.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research shows<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that women can experience different or more severe symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to men. One specific difference is the cause of anxiety and depression, specifically how women can experience postpartum or menopausal depression.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/15982748\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DSM-IV<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a manual for assessing and diagnosing mental disorders, women are more likely than men to experience the following symptoms of anxiety and depression:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less sleep<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decreased appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decreased energy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slow psychomotor changes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased interpersonal sensitivity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leaden paralysis (feeling of heavy limbs)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Somatic complaints (feeling pain)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/anxiety-in-men\/\"><b>Anxiety in men<\/b><\/a><b> | <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/signs-of-depression-in-men\/\"><b>Depression in men<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are common Lexapro side effects in women?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The efficacy of medications, especially SSRIs, varies. Women <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5286730\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may respond better<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0to SSRIs than men since symptoms and causes of depression and anxiety commonly differ from men. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although inconclusive, studies show a trend that women respond better to SSRIs because they have slightly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/21192772\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">different body chemistry<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than men. In general, Lexapro tends to accumulate more in women and does not eliminate as fast as it does in men. Men and women tend to have similar side effects to Lexapro, but limited data suggests women tend to experience these side effects more often than men.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\t\t<div class=\"singlecare-dynamic-newsletter-wrapper sin-newsletter-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"heading\">Get our mental health newsletter<\/span>\n\t\t\t<form class=\"form-wrapper\" data-newsletter-form=\"1\" data-subsource=\"Mental Health Newsletter\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"input-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"dynamic-email\">Email<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"email\" id=\"dynamic-email\" class=\"email\" required>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"input-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<input class=\"submit-form-btn\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Click to sign up\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"success-message\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The current guidelines do not suggest starting women at lower doses of Lexapro because the studies have not been definitive and the side effect differences are considered to be clinically insignificant. Due to the trends in the available data, it is recommended to lower doses as needed on a patient-specific basis if someone is experiencing side effects or difficulty with Lexapro. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lexapro-side-effects\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common side effects of Lexapro<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dry mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Painful urination<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indigestion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flatulence<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decreased libido<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nervousness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decreased appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nasal congestion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blurred vision and insomnia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight gain<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/sex-on-ssris\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sexual side effects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> appear in both men and women from antidepressants. While women might experience low libido, delayed lubrication, or blocked orgasms, men can also experience sexual dysfunction including low libido or trouble maintaining an erection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is an increased risk of suicide in young adults taking Lexapro. Patients younger than 25 years of age should carefully monitor their symptoms while taking Lexapro and report any unusual or worsening symptoms to their provider immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When deciding if Lexapro is right for you, it\u2019s imperative to discuss possible side effects with your doctor. Any medication can come with side effects, and it\u2019s up to you and your doctor to determine if the benefits outweigh possible side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lexapro and pregnancy<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pregnant women should discuss depression and anxiety symptoms with their providers to determine the best route of treatment. At present, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/drug-safety-and-availability\/fda-drug-safety-communication-selective-serotonin-reuptake-inhibitor-ssri-antidepressant-use-during\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has not found significant evidence that Lexapro should not be used during pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAs a pharmacist specializing in women\u2019s health, I see Lexapro used frequently in pregnant women who require treatment for depression,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.happypharmlife.com\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sierra Richard, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a women\u2019s health and pediatric clinical pharmacist. \u201cEvery woman should have access to individualized therapy options to treat their <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/perinatal-depression-antidepressants\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">depression while pregnant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acog.org\/womens-health\/faqs\/depression-during-pregnancy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the impact of untreated depression on pregnancy can lead to worse outcomes than the risks associated with receiving treatment. Women who discontinued their antidepressant were five times more likely to have a depression relapse than those who continued their antidepressant. Pregnant women should work with a healthcare professional to choose a safe, effective treatment plan to address anxiety and depression symptoms, weighing risks and benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27031036\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 2016 study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found antidepressants taken in the first trimester can raise the chances of a miscarriage. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nami.org\/About-Mental-Illness\/Treatments\/Mental-Health-Medications\/Types-of-Medication\/Escitalopram-(Lexapro)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> warns that SSRIs taken during the second and third trimesters have more risks. There is a chance that the baby can be born before reaching full development at 37 weeks gestation. There is also the risk of infants developing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/16020-persistent-pulmonary-hypertension-in-the-neonate-pphn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">persistent pulmonary hypertension in the neonate (PPHN)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is a potentially fatal condition that involves restricting oxygen and blood flow due to lung vessels not being open wide enough. However, there is less than a 1% chance of developing PPHN.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NAMI states that Lexapro used during pregnancy can cause newborn babies to be born with withdrawal symptoms, including respiratory distress, irritability, and poor feeding. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/pregnancy\/meds\/treatingfortwo\/features\/ssrisandbirthdefects.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found an increased risk of congenital disabilities by two to three times. While this is a significant statistic, the CDC states birth defects from SSRIs are still extremely low. Although there are risks, there is limited research to confirm the likelihood and severity of adverse effects on pregnancy and newborns. Even with risks, it is still important to be aware of these potential adverse effects when considering treatment options while pregnant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are planning to get pregnant, you may be able to stop your medications. Discuss changing or discontinuing medications with your healthcare team before making any changes. Your physician may advise stopping, tapering, or continuing Lexapro.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lexapro while breastfeeding\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK501275\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research shows<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that taking Lexapro up to 20 mg will minimally pass into breast milk and should not cause adverse effects for a baby, especially if the baby is older than 2 months. Women who are taking Lexapro while nursing should watch for signs of side effects in their baby. These include drowsiness, agitation, restlessness, and problems with feeding or weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lexapro for menopause<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/health.clevelandclinic.org\/is-menopause-causing-your-mood-swings-depression-or-anxiety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Menopausal women<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> experience physical, emotional, and mental changes. Vasomotor symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, and skin flushing. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4175016\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 80%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of women experience these vasomotor symptoms during menopause. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamainternalmedicine\/fullarticle\/1876676\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Off-label<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> treatment with SSRIs can help combat these symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to physical symptoms of menopause, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4274337\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a study shows<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> women can benefit from SSRIs to address depression and trouble sleeping. Side effects other than hot flashes, night sweats, depression, and insomnia should be addressed with a doctor. These may be treated with hormone therapy or other medications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/female-hormones-and-mental-health\/\"><b>The impact of hormones on women\u2019s mental health<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to take Lexapro to avoid side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take Lexapro and other SSRIs as directed. Lexapro is an oral medication. It&#8217;s available as tablets of 5 mg, 10 mg, or maximum doses of 20 mg. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lexapro\/dosage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The recommended starting dose<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is 10 mg, which can be increased as needed. Take Lexapro once per day with or without food.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It usually takes two weeks to start seeing results and four to six weeks before feeling the full benefits of Lexapro. SSRIs can take weeks to build up in the body and reduce symptoms. This is important to note because, unlike many medications, Lexapro will not have much of an effect at first. It may be tempting to stop taking it in the beginning weeks of treatment due to a lack of symptom relief for depression. However, it is important to take it for at least two months to see if it is an effective treatment. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Lexapro without tapering can lead to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychiatrist.com\/jcp\/depression\/suicide\/antidepressant-discontinuation-risk-suicide-attempt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">serious side effects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including suicidal thoughts, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/clinicalneuropharm\/Abstract\/2016\/05000\/Characteristics_of_Escitalopram_Discontinuation.2.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">withdrawal symptoms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including dizziness, muscle tension, chills, confusion, trouble concentrating, trouble remembering things, and crying.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding food and drug interactions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People taking Lexapro should be aware of possible food and drug interactions. Do not mix alcohol or tobacco with Lexapro. While the majority of food and drink don&#8217;t adversely react to Lexapro, grapefruit juice can affect Lexapro. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/grapefruit-juice-with-medicine-other-foods\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consuming grapefruit juice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can increase the amount of Lexapro in the body, increasing the risk of side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lexapro may also interact with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/drugs-supplements\/escitalopram-oral-route\/precautions\/drg-20063707?p=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prescription drugs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, over-the-counter medicine, and even certain supplements. Tell your provider all medications you take so he or she can prescribe the best drugs and dosage. If Lexapro is taken with another medication that affects serotonin levels, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/maois\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monoamine oxidase inhibitors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it can result in a life-threatening condition called <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/serotonin-syndrome-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">serotonin syndrome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Lexapro may also increase the risk of bleeding problems, so seek medical advice before taking it with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/nsaids\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as ibuprofen or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/anticoagulants\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blood thinners<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like warfarin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lexapro-vs-xanax\/\">Lexapro vs. Xanax<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lexapro-vs-zoloft\/\">Lexapro vs. Zoloft<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bottom line\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re living with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medication-for-anxiety-and-depression\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anxiety or depression<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, medication can help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Lexapro works best when combined with lifestyle modifications and therapies in order to get a complete treatment plan. Before starting or discontinuing Lexapro, discuss your unique circumstances and plans for the future (including plans to conceive). Your provider can help determine if Lexapro is right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lexapro (escitalopram) is a common brand-name antidepressant. This selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treats anxiety and depression by decreasing serotonin breakdown in the brain. Those with depression or anxiety may be prescribed Lexapro in addition to lifestyle changes and therapies in order to help better control and minimize symptoms. Lexapro is a popular treatment option, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":87,"featured_media":41571,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4589],"tags":[9777,451,12752,450,8670],"coauthors":[20837],"class_list":["post-41570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drug-info","tag-anxiety","tag-depression","tag-medication-side-effects","tag-mental-health","tag-womens-health","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Common Lexapro side effects in women | SingleCare<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Lexapro side effects in women vs. men aren&#039;t much different. 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