Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Lexapro (Escitalopram) Side Effects: What You Should Know By Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 22, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Daniel B. Block, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD LinkedIn Twitter Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Daniel Grill / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Common Side Effects Serious Side Effects Drug Interactions Coping Safety Withdrawal Overdose When to Call Your Doctor FAQs Lexapro (escitalopram) is a type of antidepressant medication known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI. It is prescribed for the treatment of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and other mood disorders, sometimes in combination with other medications. If you or someone you love is taking Lexapro or escitalopram (the generic version), you should be aware that this medication can have both common and serious side effects. Users also have the potential of experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping this medication, as well as a risk of overdose if it is taken in too-high doses. Common Lexapro Side Effects Most antidepressants cause some type of adverse effects, with four in five people taking these types of drugs reporting at least one side effect, but often more. Though, your doctor may still prescribe this medication if they feel that the benefits outweigh the risks. Some of the most common side effects of Lexapro include: Nausea Headache Trouble sleeping (insomnia) Dry mouth Sexual side effects (inability to orgasm, decreased libido, ejaculatory delay) Diarrhea Fatigue Flu-like symptoms Increased sweating Constipation Dizziness Involuntary shaking (tremors) Indigestion Children and adolescents taking Lexapro or escitalopram may also experience the following side effects: Increased thirstMuscle twitchingNose bleedingHeavy menstruationTrouble urinatingSlowed growth rate and weight changes It is important to know that these side effects may appear within the first two weeks of taking the medicine and subside as your body adjusts to it. Additionally, if your Lexapro dosage is increased at a later date, side effects that went away prior to the increase are unlikely to reoccur. Serious Lexapro Side Effects If you experience any of the following side effects, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency medical care. Bleeding or bruising: More likely to occur if you are also on a blood thinner or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Manic episode: Greatly increased energy, trouble sleeping, racing thoughts, reckless behavior like excessive gambling or shopping, inflated sense of self, rapid speech, or feeling extremely happy or irritable Serotonin syndrome: Agitation, hallucinations, confusion, coma, coordination or balance problems, muscle twitching, racing heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, sweating, fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Severe allergic reaction: Rash, difficulty breathing, fever, joint pain, or swelling of the mouth, lips, eyes, or tongue Other serious side effects: Seizures, change in appetite or weight, low blood sodium levels, teeth grinding, and angle-closure glaucoma Suicidal thoughts or actions: More so a concern in people under the age of 25, and also of greater concern during the two months of treatment Black Box Warning According to the black box warning (the strictest warning for prescription drugs issued by the FDA), taking Lexapro can result in an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, particularly in children, adolescents, and young adults— especially when beginning treatment or changing the dosage. Warning signs include new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, actions, thoughts, or feelings. If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Drug Interaction Side Effects The following drugs have been known to interact with Lexapro and should be used with caution. Blood Thinners Lexapro can increase the risk of bleeding when used with blood thinners such as NSAIDs, aspirin, and warfarin. In fact, warfarin has the potential to interact with several different types of antidepressants. A study in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that patients taking SSRIs are 40% more likely to develop severe gastrointestinal bleeding, especially if they are also taking NSAIDs. Talk to your doctor before taking NSAIDs such as Motrin (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen). Serotonergic Medication Serotonin syndrome is a dangerous complication caused by increasing serotonin levels too much. Symptoms can be mild, but they can also be life-threatening, which is why this condition is sometimes referred to as serotonin toxicity. Medications that may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome include: Other SSRIs, such as Celexa (citalopram) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which are used to treat psychiatric disorders Pimozide (an antipsychotic) Linezolid (an antibiotic) Intravenous methylene blue (used to treat methemoglobinemia) St. John's wort Tricyclic antidepressants, such as Pamelor (nortriptyline) Triptans used for treating migraines, such as sumatriptan The best way to avoid any possible drug interaction is to provide your doctor with a complete list of any prescription and over-the-counter medications (including supplements) you are currently taking. Coping With Lexapro Side Effects Generally, Lexapro's side effects are mild and can be managed. Your doctor may recommend strategies such as: Changing the timing of doses to reduce the effects; for example, taking your medication after meals if you experience gastrointestinal symptoms, before bed if it gives you insomnia, or after sex if you're experiencing sexual side effects Increasing your physical activity to help manage side effects related to anxiety, sleep problems, or constipation Practicing relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation to improve anxiety or insomnia Using lubricants to make sex more comfortable Taking Lexapro Safely Escitalopram is considered one of the safest antidepressants. That said, as with any kind of treatment, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions for medication use, including when to take the medication, whether it's okay to increase the dose, what to do if you miss a dose, and medications, foods, and substances to avoid. If you want to deviate from your treatment plan for any reason, get in touch with your doctor first. They can help you make changes that provide the desired results without negatively impacting your treatment outcome. Use As Directed It's important to follow your doctor's instructions for taking Lexapro. The usual recommended daily dosage of Lexapro is 10 milligrams (mg), with doses higher than 20 mg not approved by the FDA. You may take Lexapro as tablets or an oral solution once daily, in the morning or evening, with or without food. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe Lexapro for a defined period (between six months and one year) or for an extended period (over many years). Ask your doctor or call your pharmacist if you have any questions about this medication. If you miss a dose, go ahead and take it as soon as you remember, unless it's close to the time for your next dose. In that case, don't double up. Just skip the missed dose and make plans to take your next dose as usual. Precautions There are many precautions involved when taking Lexapro. You can reduce potential risks by being aware of who should not take this medication. For instance, the safety and effectiveness of Lexapro in children younger than 12 years of age have not been established, so this medication is not generally recommended for this age group. The medication's side effects may also be more severe in older adults; therefore, your dose will need to be monitored closely by your physician. Prior to starting escitalopram or Lexapro, tell your doctor if you are allergic or hypersensitive to escitalopram oxalate or if are pregnant or breastfeeding. It's also important to alert your doctor if you have a history of any of the following medical conditions, which may be exacerbated by this medicine: Bipolar disorder Glaucoma Low salt levels (hyponatremia) Seizures Severe renal impairment Suicidal thoughts and behaviors People taking Lexapro should avoid drinking alcohol and taking illicit drugs as these substances can reduce the effectiveness of the medication and increase its toxicity. Withdrawal Side Effects You should only discontinue Lexapro under the guidance of your doctor at an appropriate time. It's never a good idea to stop your medication abruptly as this may cause you to experience withdrawal symptoms, such as: Alteration in sleep habitsAnxietyConfusionDizzinessElectric shock-like sensations (paresthesia)HeadacheHigh or low moodIrritabilityNauseaRestlessnessShakingSweating To reduce the risk of these effects, your doctor may reduce your dosage over the course of several days before discontinuing the medicine altogether. How Long Does Withdrawal From Lexapro Last? Signs of Overdose If you or a loved one has accidentally or intentionally overdosed on escitalopram, the symptoms will typically start out mild and non-specific, worsening over time. Signs of Lexapro overdose include: DizzinessDrowsinessFast heartbeat or pounding heartLoss of consciousnessNauseaSeizuresVomiting If you or a loved one show a combination of these symptoms and you suspect an overdose, call 911 or immediately go to the emergency room. Toxic and potentially life-threatening complications that can later emerge due to taking too much Lexapro can include: ComaConfusionDeliriumHallucinationsIncreasingly worsening heart rate (dysrhythmia)Involuntary eye movementRespiratory distressSeizuresTremorsUnconsciousness How to Recognize the Signs of Overdose When to Call Your Doctor While most Lexapro side effects usually do not require medical intervention, you should report them to your healthcare provider if they continue for longer than one week or if they interfere with your daily routine. Your doctor may decide to adjust your dosage or switch you to another medication entirely. Also, while there are several fairly common side effects associated with escitalopram, you may find that you experience other less common side effects as well. If you do, alert your doctor. You should never stop or change the dosage of your medication on your own. A Word From Verywell This list is not intended to be all-inclusive or to replace information provided by your doctor. A number of other side effects for both usage and withdrawal have been reported by the public. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. Remember to consult your healthcare provider any time you’re unsure about any symptoms that you experience while taking any medication. Most of the time, particularly in the case of antidepressants, other medication options are available. Frequently Asked Questions How does Lexapro make you feel the first week? Common side effects of escitalopram when you first start taking it include gastrointestinal issues, headache, dry mouth, and insomnia. Though, these generally start to subside as your body begins to get used to the medicine. Talk with your doctor if you're concerned about any side effects you may be experiencing. Learn More: What to Expect When Taking Antidepressants Can Lexapro cause anxiety? Some patients experience new or worsened anxiety when taking Lexapro. If you are taking Lexapro or escitalopram and feel like your anxiety is increasing, contact your doctor to discuss whether this is the right medication for you or if the dosage should be adjusted based on these effects. Learn More: Coping with Anxiety Caused by Antidepressants How long do Lexapro side effects last? Most side effects start to go away after the first week of taking Lexapro. If they don't, or if the effects interfere with your ability to participate in your regular daily activities, talk to your doctor. Your dosage may need to be adjusted or you may need to change medications. Learn More: Guide to Negative Antidepressant Effects What are the side effects of taking too much Lexapro? Take more Lexapro than prescribed and you risk effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, pounding or racing heart, and loss of consciousness. If overdose is suspected, contact 911 or seek immediate medical attention. Learn More: Signs of Antidepressant Overdose Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with racing thoughts? Always feeling tired? Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 13 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Escitalopram (marketed as Lexapro) information. Sienaert P. Managing the adverse effects of antidepressants. Psychiatric Times. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Lexapro: Highlights of prescribing information. 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