Some important things to discuss with your doctor when considering treatment with Lexapro include:
other medications you takeany medical conditions you may heyour overall healthThese and other factors are described below.
InteractionsTaking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.
Before taking Lexapro, be sure to tell your doctor about all drugs you take, including prescription and over-the-counter kinds. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Lexapro.
For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Other warnings” section below.
Interactions with drugs or supplementsLexapro can interact with several kinds of drugs. These include:
amphetamine drugs, such as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR, Mydayis)antipsychotic drugs, such as pimozideblood thinners, such as warfarin (Jantoven)nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)certain antidepressants, such as selegiline (Emsam) and amitriptylinecertain migraine drugs, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) and zolmitriptan (Zomig) the opioid drugs fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora) and tramadol (ConZip, Ultram)the acid reflux drug cimetidinethe blood pressure drug metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Kapspargo Sprinkle)the antifungal drug ketoconazolethe mood stabilizer drug lithium (Lithobid)the anxiety drug buspironeThis list does not contain all kinds of drugs that may interact with Lexapro. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with Lexapro.
Boxed warningLexapro has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behiors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Medications used to treat depression can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behiors in certain people. Specifically, this risk is higher in people ages 24 years and younger. This risk applies to Lexapro, an antidepressant used to treat depression in adults and children ages 12 years and older.
During Lexapro treatment, your doctor will monitor you for changes in behior or mood. They’ll watch most closely for these changes whenever they adjust your dosage and in your first few months of treatment. They may also he you, close friends, or family members watch for these changes.
Examples of behior or mood changes that may happen include feeling more agitated, restless, or angry than usual. It’s also important to watch for new or worsened anxiety or depression. If you he any of these symptoms while taking Lexapro, tell your doctor right away.
If you he thoughts of harming yourself during Lexapro treatment, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Help is out thereIf you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are ailable to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Other warningsLexapro can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who he certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Lexapro is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting this drug. Factors to consider include those described below.
Dehydration or taking diuretics. Lexapro may cause a low blood sodium level. If you’re dehydrated or take a diuretic (water pill), your risk of low sodium may be increased. Your doctor can recommend whether Lexapro is a safe treatment option for you.
Bipolar disorder or mania. If you he bipolar disorder or mania, Lexapro may increase your risk of a manic or mixed episode. Before taking this drug, tell your doctor about any mental health conditions you he. They can tell you whether Lexapro is a safe treatment option.
Seizures. Seizures are a possible side effect of Lexapro. If you he a seizure condition, such as epilepsy, your risk of seizures may be higher. Before taking Lexapro, tell your doctor if you he a seizure condition. They can help determine whether this treatment is right for you.
Liver problems. Before taking Lexapro, tell your doctor about any liver problems you he, such as liver failure. Hing liver problems may increase your risk of side effects from Lexapro, so your doctor may prescribe you a lower dose.
Severe kidney problems. It’s not known if Lexapro is safe for people with a severe kidney problem, such as kidney failure. Before starting Lexapro, tell your doctor about any kidney problems you he. They can tell you whether it’s safe for you to take.
Bleeding problems. If you he a bleeding problem, such as hemophilia, talk with your doctor before taking Lexapro. This drug can increase your risk of bleeding even more. Your doctor will let you know whether Lexapro is the right treatment for you.
Narrow eye angles. If you he narrow eye angles, tell your doctor before starting Lexapro. This an eye condition in which your iris and cornea are closer together than usual. Lexapro may widen your pupils, which could lead to closed-angle glaucoma in people with narrow eye angles. Closed-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency. It can cause loss of vision and severe eye pain. Due to this risk, your doctor may suggest you he an eye exam before starting Lexapro.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lexapro or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.
Lexapro and alcoholLexapro’s drugmaker recommends that you oid alcohol while taking this drug. Alcohol can worsen symptoms of anxiety or depression, which Lexapro is used to treat. And consuming alcohol while taking Lexapro can worsen certain side effects of the drug, including sleepiness and fatigue (low energy).
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether there’s a safe amount to consume while you’re taking Lexapro.
Pregnancy and breastfeedingBelow is important information about Lexapro, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
Lexapro and pregnancyIt’s not known whether Lexapro is safe to take during pregnancy. But other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) he been studied in pregnancy. These studies suggest that SSRIs, such as Lexapro, may cause problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects).
These problems were more commonly seen in babies after birth when their mother took an SSRI in the last 3 months of her pregnancy. They include:
pulmonary hypertension (a lung condition that causes a lack of oxygen in your body)unstable body temperaturetrouble breathingtrouble eatingdecreased muscle toneseizuresIf you take Lexapro during pregnancy, consider enrolling in a pregnancy registry. These registries collect important information about the safety of a drug when used during pregnancy. To enroll in the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants, visit the registry’s site, call 866-961-2388, or talk with your doctor.
Lexapro and breastfeedingLexapro can pass into breast milk, which may lead to side effects in a child who is breastfed.
If you’re breastfeeding while taking Lexapro, watch the child for these side effects:
excess sleepinessagitationdifficulty gaining weight or eatingrestlessnessYour doctor can tell you more about the risks and benefits of taking Lexapro while breastfeeding.