Escitalopram (Generic Lexapro)
Dosage: 20 mg, 10 mg, 5 mg
Price: starts from $0.60 per pill
Dosage: 20 mg, 10 mg, 5 mg
Price: starts from $0.60 per pill
Escitalopram sold under the brand names of Lexapro, Cipralex, Seroplex and Lexamil is referred to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting class – shortly SSRIs. Such class of medical preparations includes popular psychiatric medical preparations like Prozac &Paxil. Lexapro is not less effective and for many patients revealed the better results than other SSRIs.
Lexapro has the mechanism of action common to other antidepressants from the class of SSRIs and that is why this drug is applied for the therapy of depressive condition of different intensity along with panic attacks.
The therapeutic effect is provided by the active substance – escitalopram – that decelerates the recycling of serotonin in the brain’s structures. As the outcome the serotonin receptor goes through the inherent pharmacological consequences in order to improve the mood, enhance interest in life & drop the overall relief of pathological emotional background.
Lexapro is indicated for the therapy of such mental disorders:
Elderly patients (over 65 years) should apply the half doses of Lexapro – 5 mg per 24 hrs. The maximal allowable dosing for this medical preparation for the elderly people must be no more than 10mg per 24 hrs.
Do not give Lexapro to adolescents under 18 years of age, as it’s unrecognized what effect it has on the formation & maturation of the mind, cognition & behavior.
During the first 2 weeks of Lexapro therapy for people suffering from panic disorder, you may notice enhanced levels of anxiety. Such reaction takes place spontaneously during the first 2-3weeks. To minimize such effect you need to start applying the medical preparation at low dosage & enhance the doses gradually.
As Lexapro applied in people suffering from diabetes, it’s essential to enhance the dosing of insulin as Lexapro raises blood glucose’s level.
Overdosing with Lexapro pills is very common and can be identified by such symptoms:
There is also the list of medical preparations that can badly interact with Lexapro:
Lexapro & alcoholic beverages are incompatible at all since the medical preparation is aimed at the elimination of depressive condition & alcoholic beverages, on the contrary, enhance panic attacks and depressive episodes.
The most common downsides of Lexapro pills:
Persons suffering from GAD may benefit from Lexapro therapy when it is taken with the 10mg dose per 24 hrs. The same initial dosing for depressive condition may be used. If after the period of 2-4 weeks, the control of the condition isn’t achieved, then the dosing may be enhanced to 20mg per day. While considered to be an effectual therapy for chronic anxiety, one needs to use Lexapro during the eight week period.
The duration of therapy with regular intakes of Lexapro pills is usually determined by the kind of a disorder & the speed of the normalization of the state based on the regularly evaluated medical response and the common health condition of a patient.
For the selection of dosing Lexapro one can use the recommended scheme – apply 5 mg per 24 hrs during 2 weeks, then 10 mg daily–during 2 weeks or 15 mg daily – during 42 days. If the dosing of 15 mg after 42 days appears to be insufficient, then it must be enhanced to the maximum permissible – 20 mg per 24 hrs. All further course of therapy continues on selected dosing.
For obsessive compulsive disorder begin applying 10 mg of Lexapro per day& if it is tolerated well this dosing can be enhanced up to 20mg taken per 24 hrs. The duration of therapy must be at least 6 months, but for the reliable cure & averted relapse it is recommended to apply the medical preparation for a year without the interruption.
Lexapro is a good choice for treating depressive condition & anxiety. This pill might be less probable to trigger side consequences than other antidepressants from the SSRIs class, but it is still not the best choice for people with heart or liver issues.
Among other pros of Lexapro are: