Lexapro 15 mg

Lexapro is an antidepressant from a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat certain types of depression and anxiety. Lexapro 15 mg works by balancing levels of serotonin in the brain and nerves.

Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Keep taking 15 mg of Lexapro even if you feel well. Some conditions may become worse when Lexapro 15 mg is suddenly stopped. You may experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood swings, headache, tiredness, sleep changes, agitation, vertigo, vivid dreams, and brief feelings similar to electric shock. Your doctor may reduce your dose gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and also report any new or worsening symptoms.

After taking Lexapro 15 mg you might not feel the results immediately. It may take 1 to 2 weeks to feel a benefit from this drug. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Uses of Lexapro 15 mg pills:

Lexapro 15 mg comes with an active substance called Escitalopram that reduces the level of serotonin formed in the brain. Serotonin is considered one of the main reasons for inducing stress that can lead to anxiety and depression.

Lexapro 15 mg is used to treat major depressive episodes, social and general anxiety disorder, panic disorder(with or without agoraphobia), and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is majorly approved for treating adults with generalized anxiety disorder and people with depression (12 years and older).

Off-table uses of Lexapro 15 mg include the treatment of:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Panic disorder
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Eating disorders

Lexapro Dosage:

The availability of Lexapro is in tablet and solution forms with different strengths. Lexapro tablets are available in 1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg,  20 mg, and 30 mg strengths. The 10 mg and 20 mg tablets are scored and can be cut in half. The oral solution comes in a strength of 1 mg per milliliter (mL).

• Lexapro 1 mg: This medicine is a white, round tablet imprinted with “F L” and ‘’1’’
• Lexapro 5 mg:  The strength of 5 mg of Lexapro color is white with a round shape by Imprinting FL 5.
• Lexapro 10 mg: The pill color is white with imprint F L 10 and round in shape.
• Lexapro 15 mg: This medicine is a white, round tablet imprinted with “F L” and ‘’15’’.
• Lexapro 20 mg: This medicine is a white, round, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “F L” and “20”. This medicine is a white, round, scored, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “F L” and “20”.
• Lexapro 30 mg:  This medicine is a white, round tablet imprinted with “F L” and ‘’30’’.

Usually, at the beginning of the therapy’s recommended Lexapro is 1 mg to 20 mg and it may increase slowly if needed.

Major depressive disorder, ages 12 to 18: In the case of major depressive disorder ages 12 to 18 years are administered 10 mg per day. It may increase the dosage to Lexapro 20 mg per day after three weeks if necessary.

Major depressive disorder, over age 18: Over age 18 years is administered Lexapro 10 mg per day. It can increase the dosage to 20 mg per day after one week if necessary.

Generalized anxiety disorder, adults only: The doctor prescribes Lexapro 10 mg per day for generalized anxiety disorder adults only. The dosage can be increased to 20 mg per day after one week if necessary.

Lexapro 15 mg tablets are also recommended for children above 12 years. The starting dose suggested to them is 10 mg once a day and the maximum dose is 20 mg once a day. The starting dose is not increased before the 3 weeks of the initial dose are completed.

Lexapro 15 mg Takes Time To Work:

After taking this medication sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. It takes 6-8 weeks to fully improve by depressed mood and lack of interest in activities.

How To Take And Store 15 mg of Lexapro:

Before taking medication you should read the medication guide properly. Lexapro 15 mg is typically taken as a tablet or oral solution once daily, in the morning or evening, with or without food. Try to take Lexapro 15 mg at the same time each day because it may cure fast. It may take a month or more before symptoms improve. You should continue the medicine even if it doesn’t seem to be working.

Take this medicine as directed without increasing the dose in the absence of a professional’s guidance. Ask the doctor if any doubts arise. Simply take the pills by swallowing them with water. Do not crush or chew. Doing so can release and activate the inactive components.

If you forget to take a dose, take your prescribed dose as soon as you remember. Never take two or more doses of Lexapro 15 mg at the same time.

Storing Lexapro 15 mg properly will help keep the medication both safe and effective.

Store Lexapro tablets in a tightly closed container at room temperature (68°F–77°F).

You can store medicine in a storage box, on a shelf, or in a closet. Do not keep it in direct contact contact of sunlight or moisture. While disposing of the pills, contact your local waste disposal company for proper instructions.

Things to consider before taking Lexapro 15 mg

• Do not take Lexapro if you are allergic to escitalopram or any other inactive components.
• Inform your doctor if you are using MAO inhibitors, other antidepressants, or antibiotics.
• These can include Selegiline, moclobemide, linezolid, or medicines used in Parkinson’s disease.
• If you have abnormal heart conditions(strokes and attacks) or if you have gone through a recent heart surgery, do not take Lexapro 15 mg.
• Tell your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy. If so the doctor will need to adjust the dose accordingly to protect the baby.
• Before starting the pills, try to make a schedule for it. This will help you not miss a dose. In case you did miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take the missed dose near the time of the next dose. This may lead to overdosing.

What if I overdose?

Overdosing usually occurs when or if the pills/medication is consumed more than the prescribed amount. There are generally two reasons for an overdose: the patient might have gotten addicted or the patient might have overdosed in order to cover the missed dose.

The symptoms of overdosing include:

• Serotonin Syndrome
• Coma
• Irregular Heart Rhythm
• Seizures
• Problems in holding consciousness
• High Blood Pressure

What Are The Side Effects Of Lexapro 10 mg?

Every medicine has shown unwanted side effects. Usually, it has unpleasant effects caused by medicines. Most are mild, such as a stomachache, dry mouth, or drowsiness. Others can be more serious. Sometimes a drug can interact with a disease that has effects are mild. They should go away on their own after a week or two weeks without treatment. If they are more severe or don’t go away, tell your doctor to cause a side effect.

The side effects of Lexapro 15 mg seem to be the same in both men and women. These side effects are slightly different for adults and children.

Adult side effects can include nausea, sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, anxiety, sleeping trouble, sexual problems, such as decreased sex drive and erectile dysfunction, sweating, shaking, loss of appetite, dry mouth, constipation, infection, increased thirst, abnormal increase in muscle movement or agitation, nosebleeds, trouble urinating, heavy menstrual periods, and slowed growth and weight change.

In some cases, it is found that children who take 15 mg Lexapro may decrease appetite and weight loss. Your child’s doctor may check their height and weight during treatment.

People with depression tend to have a low appetite and reduced body weight. Most of these side effects are mild. They should go away on their own after a week or two weeks without treatment. If they are more severe or don’t go away, tell your doctor.

Some of the serious side effects are:

• Blurred Vision
• Eye Swelling
• Tunnel Vision
• Unstable Thoughts
• Hallucinations
• Very Stiff muscles
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Slurred Speech
• Tremors
• Manic episodes(in people with bipolar disorder)
• Angle-closure glaucoma

Warnings and Precautions while using Lexapro 15 mg:

Before starting the medication, do tell your doctor if you are going through the following conditions:

• Epilepsy
• Low Sodium in blood
• Kidney Disorder
• Risk to internal bleeding
• Diabetes
• Undergoing electroconvulsive
• If you are using diuretics
• Glaucoma
• Family history of manic-depressive illness

It is advised not to take Lexapro with alcohol. Although it does not actively react with the food or inactive ingredients of Lexapro 15 mg but can increase dizziness in the body.

Lexapro 15 mg adversely affects pregnancy, breastfeeding habits, and fertility. It is advised to not take this medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy. Otherwise, the medicine can have side effects on the newborn baby such as body temperature changes, bluish skin, floppy muscles, vivid reflexes, persistent pulmonary hypertension, constant crying, and jitteriness.

Also, the medicine is believed to be passed during breastfeeding. During the study of Lexapro 15 mg, it was found that the pills are capable of reducing sperm quality which leads to babies born with defects.

Interaction With Other Medications:

Lexapro 15 mg is an oral tablet that can interact with other medications such as vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. Interaction of the drug may change the way a drug works.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should suggest safe interactions. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you are taking.

The drugs that can cause interactions with Lexapro 15 mg are listed below.

• Blood thinners: Lexapro 15mg can thin your blood a little. If you take Lexapro 15 with blood thinners, your risk of bleeding is increased. Blood-thinning drugs include warfarin. MAOIs that are reactive to Lexapro 15 mg include isocarboxazid, iproniazide, nialamide, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: diclofenac, etodolac. Ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketorolac, meloxicam, naproxen, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban.
• Migraine drugs: Certain migraine drugs called triptans may have a similar effect to Lexapro 15 mg. Taking them with Lexapro 15 mg could increase your risk of side effects.
• Migraine drugs include: almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, Sumatripta, zolmitriptan.
• Psychiatric drugs: Certain psychiatric drugs may work similarly to Lexapro 15 mg. Taking them together may increase your risk of side effects.

Examples of these drugs include Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

• Don’t take an MAOI with Lexapro 15 mg or within two weeks of stopping Lexapro 15 mg unless your doctor tells you.
• Antidepressant drugs: Examples of these drugs include: Citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline etc. should be avoided with Lexapro 15 mg.
• Drugs that affect the central nervous system. Examples of these drugs include Benzodiazepines such as Gabapentin.
• Sleeping pills:  estazolam, temazepam, triazolam, Ambien, Halcion, Lunesta, Sonata, Restoril, Rozerem, and zolpidem.
• Opioid medicines, and pain relief medication: Codeine, Dilaudid, Gabapentin, Hydrocodone, Oxycontin. Methadone, Roxycodone, Lortab, Norco, Opana ER, Percocet, Soma, Tramadol, Vicodin, etc.
• Weight Loss: Meridia, Phentermine, Reductil, and Slimall
• Men’s Health: Viagra, Kamagra, Cialis, and Levitra.
• Sleeping Pills: Ambien, Halcion, Lunesta, Sonata, Restoril, Rozerem, etc.
• The antibiotic linezolid
• Other medicines used to treat psychological issues such as Imipramine, Tryptophan, Bupropion, Desipramine, Thioridazine, Lithium, Risperidone, Sumatriptan, Haloperidol, Neuroleptics, St. John’s wort, etc. should also not be used with Lexapro 15 mg.

Other significant medicines that react with Lexapro 15 mg are:

• Lansoprazole
• Fluconazole
• Propafenone
• Ticlopidine
• Mefloquine
• Cimetidine
• Omeprazole
• Metoprolol
• Flecainide
• Medicine that alters the level of magnesium and sodium

Lexapro 15 mg Withdrawal:

Withdrawal medication is also known as detoxification or detox. It is when you stop, or cut back, on using the drugs. You may have developed effects of emotional, psychological and physical dependence.

Emotional Symptoms Of Lexapro Withdrawal:

Changing or stopping a medication can be an emotional experience. As Lexapro 15 mg is an antidepressant, it may come as no surprise that the symptoms of Lexapro withdrawal include emotional experiences such as:

• Anxiety: Generally, Anxiety may result from low levels of serotonin levels in the brain.
• Concentration problems: When you stop the medication it has negative effects on the mental condition where the patient can not concentrate on any work.
• Depression: The drug is often used to treat depression. If the constant supply is somehow interrupted, it may cause falling back into depression.
• Irritability or mood swings: Some people may experience unexplained anger as well as irritability and mood swings when quitting Lexapro 15 mg.
• Suicidal thoughts: These thoughts can increase or intensify during the withdrawal of the medication. It is important to seek medical support when you persist the patient in suicidal thoughts.

Physical Symptoms of 15 mg Lexapro Withdrawal:

There are a wide variety of potential physical symptoms while you stop Lexapro 15 mg, some of which can be quite serious. Possible effects include:

Appetite changes: Generally, the appetite may change when you quit Lexapro 15 mg. Some other physical side effects you can experience. Such as dizziness, fatigue, or confusion, headaches, insomnia, fever, nausea or indigestion, sweating, weight changes (often, weight loss), dry mouth, frequent urination, and altered perception of certain senses, such as smell or taste.

Several factors can influence severe withdrawal symptoms. These factors include how long you are taking Lexapro 15 mg, and how high the dosage is.

How To Quit Taking Lexapro 15 mg Safely:

Lexapro 15 mg can be an effective solution for many anxiety disorder people. You should go to the doctor to decrease the withdrawal symptoms safely.