Lexapro and OCD

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Lexapro, or the scientific name Escitalopram, is one of the popular treatments for anxiety and in some cases Obsessive Compulsive disorder. This article is intended for the reader that is going to take this product to become well-known with its side effects.

The most common dosage of Lexapro is 10-20mg daily. The drug is not recommended for pregnant women and in the elderly a smaller dosage should be given. There are no extensive researches on the long term effects of Lexapro, so if the health care professional has this intended, it is critical to continually evaluate the patient and progress.

In some cases of any antidepressant, thoughts of suicide may occur, either at the onset of treatment or during a dosage change and it is recommended that the patient taking Lexapro be under surveillance until the effects wear off.

Side Effects of Lexapro

Escitalopram (Lexapro) and other similar antidepressant drugs may cause sexual side effects. Most of the time this side effect is reversible through discontinuation of the drug, there are cases that the effects take a considerably long time to wear off.

Another side effect is weight gain as well. To discontinue antidepressants abruptly may lead to withdrawal symptoms.

Another symptom is known as paresthesia which is the feeling of electric shock impulses over the body’s nervous system and usually accompanied by dizziness.

The amount of the Lexapro dosage has no known relation to the withdrawal symptoms. The symptoms can occur as soon as eight hours after the last dose and can last up to eight weeks. In some cases hallucinations have occurred from the withdrawal symptoms.

Lexapro Withdrawl

If a person is already using Lexapro for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, it is recommended to lower the dosages over a period of time instead just quitting abruptly. Of course it is crucial for the person taking Lexapro to discuss this with their health care professional to minimize the withdrawal symptoms of Lexapro.

It should be stated that anyone using Lexapro is a high risk of going through withdrawal symptoms during the treatment or when the treatment is discontinued.

Discontinuing the drug Lexapro or Escitalopram may cause the withdrawal symptoms of chills, hot flashes, extreme reddening of the face and neck, weight gain, severe mental fatigue, abdominal pain, and extreme sensitivity to lights and sounds.

It should be noted that these are the extreme cases, as with any drug, not every person experiences the same results. The severity may also differ. As with any medication, it is important to tell the health care professional any other medications or treatments programs already in use.

Even though Lexapro or Escitalopram shows no side effects in most people, it should be stated that medicines react differently to each person. Some people may experience some side effects to only minor side effects.

While other people taking Lexapro will not be able to tolerate the medication at all. With continued treatment however, most of the symptoms lessen over time of the medication. If sever symptoms do occur, continue taking the medication and see the health care professional as soon as possible.


Last Updated on November 11, 2022