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Lexapro
as a reliever for depression and general anxiety disorders.
For
Lexapro
As a Depression Relief Medicine
by:
Paul Kang
Lexapro
is a medicine used for the treatment of depression and generalized
anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults.
Just like
diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, these are real medical conditions
that require diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional. Depression
and GAD can be caused by an
imbalance of
certain chemicals in the brain. The good news is that Lexapro
is an effective, well-tolerated therapy that can help improve
symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder.
Lexapro
used for treating Depression and GAD.
Lexapro
is an antidepressant and a member of a class of medicines
called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as a
result, Lexapro is able to provide effective and
well-tolerated therapy for patients. It is the fastest growing
medicine in its class — currently used by over 15 million people. Lexapro
works by helping to restore the
brain's chemical
balance; it increases the available supply of serotonin, a substance
in the brain believed to influence mood. Lexapro at a dose of
10-mg per day is effective in the treatment of depression. Lexapro
at a dose of 10-20 mg per day is
effective in the
treatment of GAD. Lexapro is well tolerated. Most of the side effects
experienced by people taking Lexapro are mild to moderate and go away
with continued treatment. Lexapro can be taken every day along with
most other medicines
How
does Lexapro work?
Lexapro
is part of a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors, or SSRIs. SSRIs, such as Lexapro, act on a specific
chemical within the brain known as serotonin. Serotonin is one
of several chemicals used to send messages from one nerve cell to
another. As a message travels down a nerve, it causes the end of the
cell to release serotonin. The serotonin enters the gap between the
first nerve cell and the one next to it. When enough serotonin
reaches the second nerve cell, it activates receptors on the cell and
the message continues on its way. The first cell then quickly absorbs
any serotonin that remains in the gap between cells. This is called
"reuptake.” Normally, this process works without any
problems. But when the levels of serotonin become unbalanced, it can
cause a variety of conditions, including depression. Lexapro
helps to block the reuptake of serotonin so that more serotonin
remains in the space between the brain's nerve cells. This gives the
serotonin a better chance of activating the receptors on the next
nerve cell.
How
does Lexapro help?
Lexapro
helps to restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the
supply of a chemical messenger in the brain called serotonin. Lexapro
appears to relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety by
increasing serotonin with minimal effect on many of the other
chemicals in the brain. Lexapro can be taken with most other
medicines. Lexapro can be taken at any time of day with or
without food. For best results, take Lexapro every day. In addition,
even though you may begin to feel better in 1 to 2 weeks, do not stop
taking Lexapro. Full benefit is not achieved until 4-6 weeks and full
recovery takes time. Continue taking Lexapro as directed by your
healthcare professional.
Facts
about life.
Depression
and anxiety can be lifelong medical conditions that may
require continuous long-term treatment. If your symptoms are
currently controlled by medicine and then you stop taking it for a
few days, you run the risk of a relapse.
Like many patients, you may begin to feel relief from your symptoms,
such as depressed mood or anxiety, after taking Lexapro for
just 1 or 2 weeks. However, it is important to take your medicine as
long as your healthcare professional advises, even if you start
feeling better; otherwise your depression or anxiety could return or
worsen. Full recovery takes time Seek emergency medical attention if
you think you have taken too much of this medication. Lexapro
is manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals.
Symptoms
if taken an overdose of Lexapro.
Symptoms
of an overdose of Lexapro may include nausea, vomiting,
tremor, sweating, rapid heartbeat, confusion, dizziness, seizures,
and coma. Do not take Lexapro together with citalopram (Celexa),
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect),
selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). Avoid
drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of
Lexapro. If taken an overdose of Lexapro it is always better
to consult the physician. And more over one needs to avoid using
other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain
medication, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, and other
medication for depression or anxiety) while using Lexapro.
They can add to sleepiness caused by Lexapro.
Lexapro is licensed to treat the
following conditions:
Lexapro
has been proven in clinical trials to be an effective and
well-tolerated prescription medication that improves the quality and
enjoyment of life for adults suffering from depression and generalized
anxiety disorders.
Caution.
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Lexapro can cause side effects that
may impair your thinking or reactions. So while you are in the
treatment avoid driving or doing anything that requires you to be awake
and alert, since Lexapro has a bit of drowsiness when consumed.
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Lexapro
is a antidepressant medication used to
treat a few conditions
of the brain.
Side
effects of Lexapro.
The
most frequent side effects reported with Lexapro are nausea,
insomnia, problems with ejaculation, somnolence,
increased sweating, fatigue, decreased libido, and anorgasmia.
Patients taking Lexapro typically have mild to moderate side effects
which tend to go away with continued treatment. One study of patients
taking 10-mg of Lexapro showed that these side effects usually do not
cause patients to stop taking Lexapro. In that study, only 4% of
patients stopped taking Lexapro due to side effects, compared with 3%
of the patients taking placebo.
For
more extensive information on Lexapro and how it is used,
please visit the following links:
http://www.lexapro.com/faq/about_lexapro.aspx
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