Does Escitalopram Help With Anxiety?

Escitalopram is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In general, it affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression or anxiety. Moreover, escitalopram is used to treat major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents at least 12 years old. Consequently, it is also used to treat anxiety in adults. It works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (serotonin) in the brain.

Given that, escitalopram tablets come in different strengths ranging from 5mg to 20mg. The usual dose of it is 10mg a day. But your doctor may start you on a lower dose and increase it to a maximum dose of 20mg a day. In brief, if you have liver problems, the maximum recommended dose is 10mg a day. With liquid drops, 1 drop is equivalent to 1mg of escitalopram, 10 drops is 10mg, and 20 drops is 20mg.

“The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” — Arthur C. Clarke

Escitalopram Warnings

For the most part, you should not use escitalopram you also take pimozide or citalopram (Celexa).

In particular, do not use escitalopram within 14 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Significantly, some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Therefore, report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

All things considered, seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Obviously, do not stop using it without first asking your doctor.

“There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” — Amanda Gorman

Escitalopram Side Effects

Additionally, get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to escitalopram: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Therefore, report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, hostile, aggressive, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights; racing thoughts, unusual risk-taking behavior, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness; (in a child taking escitalopram) slow growth or weight gain;

low levels of sodium in the body – headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady; or

severe nervous system reaction – very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Obviously, seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Hence, common escitalopram side effects may include:

painful urination;
dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, weakness;
feeling anxious or agitated;
increased muscle movements, feeling shaky;
sleep problems (insomnia);
sweating, dry mouth, increased thirst, loss of appetite;
nausea, constipation;
yawning;
nosebleed, heavy menstrual periods; or
Lastly, decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

“None but ourselves can free our minds.”― Bob Marley, “Redemption Song”

What Other Drugs Affect Escitalopram?

Another key point, using escitalopram with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Therefore, ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Above all, tell your doctor about all your current medicines, especially a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven.

Altogether, many drugs may interact with escitalopram, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Escitalopram Drug Interactions (more detail)

Also, do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John’s wort) or vitamin supplements.

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”― Martin Luther King, Jr.

Conclusion

On the whole, numerous clinical data indicate that escitalopram, 10-20 mg/d, is an effective and well-tolerated first-line treatment option for the management of panic disorder, GAD, social anxiety and OCD. Consequently, escitalopram may cause weight gain because it blocks the serotonin transporter, which increases levels of serotonin in the brain, but also increases appetite and decreases metabolism. Research has shown approximately 40% of people taking antidepressants such as Lexapro will gain 7% or more of their starting body weight.

Well, I’m done for the day. I’ll try to bring you more info about anxiety meds in future posts. Until next time…

Articles