Lexapro Side Effects

Escitalpram or Lexapro is an antidepressant medication. This medication belongs to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) group of drugs. Lexapro affects the unbalanced brain chemicals that lead to depression or anxiety. Therefore, this prescription drug is used to treat anxiety and major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents, who are over the age of 12 years.

All drugs and medications have side effects, and not all people experience these side effects. It is observed that not all people taking the medication suffer from Lexapro side effects. Most of the people are tolerant to the drug. In most cases, minor side effects of Lexapro are seen. These side effects of Lexapro do not require any treatment usually. Let us see some of the possible Lexapro side effects.

Common Side Effects of Lexapro
The most common side effects of Lexapro in adults are nausea, insomnia, fatigue, excessive sweating, drowsiness, etc. In case of pediatric patients, the Lexapro side effects include back pain, vomiting, nasal congestion and urinary tract infection. Other Lexapro side effects include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dry Mouth
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness

There are some serious side effects seen in a few patients. These require immediate medical attention while using Lexapro:

• Allergic reactions like skin rash, hives, itching, breathing difficulty, swelling of face, lips and tongue.
• Black or bloody stools
• Confused state of mind
• Hallucinations
• Loss of memory
• Aggressiveness
• Agitated behavior
• Exaggeration of feelings of well-being
• Blisters, swelling, peeling of skin
• Unusual bruising and bleeding
• Severe mood swings
• Suicidal thoughts or attempt to suicide

These severe Lexapro side effects are seen in extreme cases. A patient may suffer from some of these severe side effects. Most of the patients as mentioned above are tolerant to the drug and will not suffer from these side effects.

Lexapro Side Effects in Men
There are certain Lexapro side effects in men that can affect their sexual life. These Lexapro side effects in men include decreased sexual drive, sexual performance and sexual satisfaction. They may suffer from painful erection and primary ejaculatory delay.

Lexapro Side Effects and Withdrawal
The withdrawal symptoms after stopping Lexapro include:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Tingling sensation
• Confusion
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Fatigue or tiredness

Stopping Lexapro side effects, can be minimized when the patient is slowly weaned off the medication. If the symptoms are seen, the doctor again begins with the patients initial dose and gradually decreases the dosage.

When one suddenly stops taking Lexapro, they may feel as if they are struck by flu. They will have sleeping trouble, stomach upset, sensation of shock in hands, arms, nervousness and dizziness. These symptoms are experienced within a day or 10 days after the last dose of Lexapro. The Lexapro side effects are not very dangerous or life-threatening.

If you experience any of the Lexapro side effects, speak to your health care provider immediately. You need to discuss all the problems you suspect to be a possible side effect of the drug. The doctor will be able to find if there is something really wrong and put you off the drug. Do not self medicate and speak to your doctor regarding any medical advice. I hope this article has helped you understand the Lexapro side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

DISCLAIMER
The information offered on this site is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. The reader is advised to consult with a medical consultant before taking any home remedies, supplements or following any treatment advised by anyone on this site. A medical consultant will be able to provide the reader with advice that is safe and effective for an individual's specific needs and diagnose a particular health problem based on their personal medical history.