Lexapro (Escitalopram)
Overview:
Lexapro is an antidepressant of the SSRI class. It is considered to be a successor to the antidepressant Celexa. Lexapro is a close chemical relative to Celexa. It takes 4 to 6 weeks for effects to be felt and may take several months for full effects to be felt.
History:
Its development was initiated in the summer of 1997, and the resulting new drug application was submitted to the U.S. FDA in March 2001. The short time (3.5 years) it took to develop escitalopram can be attributed to the previous extensive experience of Lundbeck and Forest with citalopram, which has similar pharmacology.
Uses:
Depression and anxiety disorders.
Mechanism of Action:
It increases levels of serotonin by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neuron.
Effectiveness:
It is considered to be as effective as other antidepressant medications. However, Lexapro is considered to have a lower side effect profile compared to that of other SSRI medications. This makes it one of the most popular first line treatments for anxiety and depression.
Side Effects:
Headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, feeling nervous, restless, fatigue, or having trouble sleeping (insomnia). These will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication. Difficulty with orgasm or having an erection is common with SSRI medications and does not fade over time.
