Lexapro 20 mg

Lexapro or escitalopram is a widely used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drug. This medication is FDA-approved for the treatment of MDD (major depressive disorder) and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). SSRIs are also prescribed off-label for a wide variety of conditions such as OCD, PTSD, panic attacks, premenstrual dysphoria, hot flashes of menopause, and premature ejaculation.

The active ingredient in Lexapro is escitalopram oxalate. This is including a class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) that includes commonly-prescribed antidepressants such as Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Celexa, whose active ingredient (citalopram) is nearly same to Lexapro.

What Is Lexapro 20 mg Used For:

Lexapro helps balance neuronal reuptake of serotonin levels in the brain, which can reduce anxiety and enhance mood. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, and other functions. This medication is used for the treatment of the following mental issues. Such as:

• Depression
• Depressive Psychosis
• Arteriosclerotic Dementia w/ Depressive Features
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Dementia w/ Depressive Features

If you will find anyone who experiences any of the above mental issues go to the doctor for a checkup.

Lexapro 20 mg works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the Central Nervous System and brain. It helps maintain mental balance and improves your mood, relieves anxiety, relieves tension, and helps you sleep at night. You may feel fewer side effects than other antidepressants.

Lexapro Dosage Forms:

This medicine is available in tablet forms and the following dosage. Such as

Lexapro Tablet:  1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg and  30 mg

Lexapro 20 mg  tablet can take regularly 4-6 weeks to get a better result.

Dosage For Adults: 

This medication is a prescription drug to treat generalized anxiety disorder in adults. Some doctors or healthcare providers may prescribe Lexapro 20 mg off-label as a treatment for other psychiatric disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (panic attacks), post-traumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia.

• The standard dosage for adults is 10 mg taken once per day by mouth.
• The maximum dosage for adults is 20 mg taken once per day by mouth.
• The maximum dosage for older adults is 10 mg taken once per day by mouth.

Lexapro Dosage For Major Depressive Disorder:

Lexapro is approved to treat major depressive disorder. If the patient is having symptoms of depression, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, sleep problems, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, thoughts of suicide, etc. for two weeks or more of persistent then consult with the doctor and take advice from him or her.

Adults and adolescents 12 years and older may take Lexapro 10 mg by mouth once per day.

Lexapro Dosage For Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 

Lexapro is prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. The chronic condition includes GAD is characterized by at least six months of excessive, persistent, and often unexplainable worry, anxiety, and fear that significantly interferes with daily life.

Adults 18 years and older can use Lexapro 10 mg-20 mg. It is taken by mouth once per day. Maximum dose not to exceed 20 mg per day.

Before Taking Lexapro 20 mg  Tab:

You should not use any of the drugs if you are allergic to any ingredients of Lexapro. Do not use Lexapro 20 mg within 2 weeks before or after using an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. It may occur a dangerous drug interaction.

To make sure Lexapro 20 mg is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Heart problems
• Bleeding problems
• Seizures or epilepsy
• Sexual problems
• High blood pressure
• Long QT syndrome (in you or a family member)
• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Liver or kidney disease
• Manic depression

Tell your doctor freely if you use any stimulant medicine,  mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting.

How To Use Lexapro 20 mg: 

Read the medication guide carefully before taking any medicine. Take this drug with or without food as directed by your doctor.

Generally, you should use it once daily in the morning or evening. The doctor considers the doses based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and age. It is most important that tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products.

If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may advise you to start taking the drug at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. You should never increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Always follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Take Lexapro 20 mg regularly to get the most benefit from it.

Side Effects Of Lexapro 20 mg: 

Every medicine has side effects for new users, Lexapro 20 mg can cause side effects who take it. The side effects may vary from person to person according to the health condition and medical response. Here are some of the more common side effects associated with Lexapro 20 mg:

Some Common Side Effects are such as:

• Sweating, including hot flashes
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Difficulties with ejaculating or impotence
• Changes in appetite
• Tremor
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Sleepiness or fatigue
• Stomach aches
• Difficulties sleeping
• Anxiety
• Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods)
• Decreased sex drive
• Joint or muscle aches
• Weight loss or weight gain

These side effects may disappear after a few days or weeks for most people. If it will stay in the body for a long then do not be afraid, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to advise you about how to handle any side effects.

Some Severe Side Effects of the patient after consuming Lexapro 20 mg are as such following:

• Chest pain
• Unusual  Behaviour
• Stomach upset
• Dry mouth
• Tiredness
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Impotence
• Urination problems
• Jaundice
• Dark urine
• Painful or difficult urination
• Aggression
• Hallucination
• Itching
• Paranoia
• Trouble breathing
• Stomach pain
• Lightheadedness

Go to a medical check-up in case you persist in any severe side effects.

Lexapro 20 mg Missed Dose:

You should take Lexapro 20 mg carefully without discontinuing it. Take this medication in time. You should never forget to take medicine frequently. If you forget mistakenly to take Lexapro 20 mg, you should skip the dose if it is time for the next day. And take it as usual. Do not take double doses to make over the forgotten dose.

Lexapro 20 mg Overdose:

You may feel serious indications like agitation,  flushing, vomiting, sweating, confusion, twitching of muscles, unconsciousness, seizures, hallucinations, etc. If you accidentally took 2 Lexapro 20 mg  at a time which is considered an overdose of Lexapro 20 mg. Go to your doctor immediately by showing severe symptoms of overdose,if someone has consumed an overdose,

Addiction To Lexapro 20 mg:

Most medications develop an addiction after using for a long time. You may also develop psychological addiction after taking Lexapro 20 mg for one month or two months. The patient feels a psychological addiction that has physical addiction symptoms.

Some common addiction symptoms include:

• Weight gain
• Trembling or shakiness of the body
• Disorder in the menstrual cycle for women
• Painful headaches
• Chronic itchiness
• Sexual dysfunction
• Relational problems
• Muscles ache
• Neglect his responsibilities like work, school, family

If you feel any of the above symptoms, go to a psychiatrist for better counseling.

Quitting Lexapro 20 mg: 

Without any consultation with the doctor, never stop Lexapro 20 mg. You may feel the drug withdrawal after a week of giving it up. It causes severe symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, headache, sweating, high or low mood, restlessness, changes in sleep habits, nausea, dizziness, shaking, or confusion.

Tell your doctor how to reduce the dose with fewer side effects.

Interactions Of Lexapro 20 mg:

Before taking any new medicine such as prescription or non-prescription, food supplements, or herbal products discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist.

You should not use Lexapro 20 mg with other medications, such as Buspirone, Fentanyl, Duragesic, Lithium, Methylene blue injection, Tryptophan, pain or migraine medicines (Rizatriptan, Sumatriptan, Tramadol, Lortab, Methadone, Norco, Opana ER, Percocet, Roxycodone, Frova, Imitrex, Ultram, Zomig), Heart medicine and Blood Pressure medicine, ADHD pills such as Adderall, Concerta, Evekeo, and Dexedrine.

Precautions:

You should tell your doctor about your both current health conditions and the previous medical history of you and your family before prescribing this medicine to you.

• You should keep Lexapro 20 mg in a tight air container at a safe place where your children and pets can not reach.
• This medicine should store at room temperature with avoiding excess heat and moisture.
• You should never take alcohol-related drinks while taking Lexapro 20 mg.
• Never do any heavy work after taking this drug.
• Take a rest after consuming the medication.
• You should not use Lexapro upper or lower in dose than recommended.

Without consulting your doctor, you should not stop taking Lexapro 20 mg, even if you feel better.