LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Lexapro: Taking Lexapro
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Do not take Lexapro if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. A dangerous drug interaction can occur if Lexapro is combined with any of these medications.• Before taking Lexapro, tell your doctor if you · have liver disease, · have kidney disease, · suffer from seizures, or · suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts.• You may not be able to take Lexapro, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.• Lexapro should not be taken during treatment with citalopram (Celexa). Also, if you have had an allergic reaction to citalopram (Celexa), you may ... have an allergic reaction to Lexapro. Do not take Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to either medication in the past.• Lexapro is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Lexapro it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.• Lexapro passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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SEVERAL WEEKS MAY PASS before Lexapro reaches its full effect. Do not stop taking Lexapro without checking with your doctor. LEXAPRO MAY CAUSE drowsiness or dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Lexapro. Using Lexapro alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. LEXAPRO WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of alcohol and other depressants.
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Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) can be taken with most other medications except another family of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) and MAOIs should not be taken together or within 14 days of each other. Before you begin taking Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) , make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, diet supplements, etc. If you do miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
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Lexapro is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), pimozide (see DRUG INTERACTIONS – Pimozide and Celexa), or in patients with hypersensitivity to escitalopram oxalate. As with other SSRIs, caution is indicated in the coadministration of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) with Lexapro. As with other psychotropic drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake, patients should be cautioned regarding the risk of bleeding associated with the concomitant use of Lexapro with NSAIDs, aspirin, or other drugs that affect coagulation. The most common adverse events with Lexapro versus placebo (approximately 5% or greater and approximately 2x placebo) were nausea, insomnia, ejaculation disorder, somnolence, increased sweating, fatigue, decreased libido, and anorgasmia.
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Lexapro dosages usually begin at 10 mg/day. The dosage may be stepped up to 20 mg/day according to your doctor's advice. If you are planning to stop taking Lexapro, ask your doctor about reducing your dose gradually. It is not usually recommended for patients to stop Lexapro all at once.
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Since its introduction, Lexapro has come under close scrutiny for its connection to suicide cases in adolescents and children, as well as adults. Lexapro suicide cases are being brought before the courts because of the way these patients took their own life. Some patients were once well adjusted and respected citizens who showed no signs of suicidal thoughts. However, after taking Lexapro, a noticeable turn of events took place and they committed acts they and their families never thought possible from them.
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