What is Lexapro: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Lexapro

• Take this medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed to find the most effective dose.

• Read the medication guide that comes with this medicine.

• Only take one dose of Lexapro each day.

• Lexapro doses can be taken with or without food.

• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a calibrated measuring spoon or oral syringe that should come with this medicine. If not, ask the pharmacist for a calibrated measuring device.

• Store Lexapro tablets or oral solution in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

What to do if you miss a dose of Lexapro

• Lexapro is only taken once per day. If a dose is missed, take it on the day it was missed. If it’s the next day, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual time. 

• Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose.

Lexapro contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to escitalopram or citalopram.

Lexapro warnings

• Tell any healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

• The healthcare provider may need to check your progress and do lab tests regularly. Keep all appointments.

• For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It may worsen depression or emotional problems. Talk with your healthcare provider right away if you notice any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. 

• Tell your healthcare provider if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder, mania, hypomania, other mental illnesses, or suicide attempts.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you have:

  • Kidney disease

  • Liver disease

  • Heart problems

  • Bleeding problems

  • Glaucoma

  • A history of seizures

• This medicine may cause the following problems:

  • Serotonin syndrome (may be life-threatening when used with certain other medicines)

  • Seizures

  • Manic episodes

  • Low sodium

  • Increased risk of bleeding

  • Vision problems (angle-closure glaucoma)

  • Sexual dysfunction

  • Height and weight changes in children

  • Withdrawal (discontinuation syndrome)

• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your healthcare provider will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Lexapro interactions

• To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before taking fluoxetine.

• Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

• If you are using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI), do not start taking Lexapro until you’ve stopped taking the MAOI for at least 14 days. Do not start an MAOI until you’ve stopped taking Lexapro for at least 14 days.

• Fluoxetine should never be taken with the antipsychotic drug pimozide.

• Some medicines and foods can affect how Lexapro works or increase the risk or severity of side effects. Alternatively, Lexapro can reduce the effectiveness or increase the side effects risk of other drugs. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking:

  • Other antidepressants

  • Drugs that treat mental health conditions such as anxiety, mood problems, or psychosis, including SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, or lithium

  • Amphetamines

  • Narcotic painkillers such as tramadol, meperidine, or methadone

  • Drugs that make you pee (diuretics)

  • Migraine treatments called triptans

  • Any drugs that interfere with blood clotting, such as blood thinners or NSAIDs

  • The antiseizure drug carbamazepine

  • The supplements St. John’s wort or tryptophan

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxants, and alcohol.

Find more detailed information about escitalopram interactions to avoid here.