subject: Lexapro Providing Relief from Depression and Anxiety [print this page] About Lexapro About Lexapro
Lexapro is a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor that has been prove safe and effective for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adolescents and adults and generalized anxiety disorder in adults. This medication has proved to be safe and effective and hence it is prescribed to over eighteen million adults in U.S. The proper dosage of Lexapro significantly improves the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Lexapro works by increasing serotonin in the brain, which is believed to be a substance that influence mood in adults. This medication is believed to improve the symptoms of depression and anxiety in most of the patients and is usually prescribed for treating bipolar disorder. Lexapro is considered as the improved version of the Celexa and was approved by FDA in 2002 for the treatment of depression and anxiety.
How Lexapro Works?
It is difficult to completely understood the brain chemistry of depression and anxiety but simply it can be understand as imbalance in the neurotransmitters of the brain that allow communication of the nerve cells. Imbalance in the serotonin, a type of neurotransmitters, is the major cause in the development of anxiety and disorder. Release of serotonin by one nerve cells becomes accessible to the next nerve cells and during this process some of the released serotonin is reabsorbed by the first nerve cells. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor control this reabsorption and provide more serotonin thereby creating the balance in the brain.
Side-effects
The side-effects associated with this medication is not so severe and it gradually go away as the body gets adjusted to the medicine. However, some of the common side-effects of Lexapro include:
Diarrhea
Constipation
Dizziness
Nausea
Increased sweating
Acidity
Heartburn
Stomach pain
Before taking Lexapro
Patient taking any of the MAO inhibitor like isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, rasagiline, or selegiline should strictly avoid Lexapro. Serious consequences can occur when these medications are taken along with Lexapro. One should wait for at least fourteen days after stopping the intake of MAO inhibitor and similarly after taking Lexapro one must wait for fourteen days before starting any of the MAO inhibitor.
If one is found allergic to any of the drugs, one should immediately inform the doctor. Patients suffering from any of the following problems should consult doctor before starting the intake of Lexapro:
Kidney or liver disease;
Epilepsy or seizures;
Bipolar disorder
Patients having history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
Lexapro Providing Relief from Depression and Anxiety
