Lexapro (Escitalopram) for Depression

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Lexapro (escitalopram) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and children ages 12 and older.

What Members Say

MHT logo These insights are based on 917 comments about Lexapro from MyDepressionTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of individuals and are not meant to be medical advice.

Benefits:

Depression symptoms often ease after several weeks of treatment.
Lexapro can also help with anxiety alongside depression treatment.
Once-daily dosing feels simple to fit into a daily routine.
Negative impacts on sleep lessen, especially after the first few weeks.
Long-term benefits can stay helpful for years for some.

Considerations:

Nausea, insomnia, sweating, fatigue, and sleepiness are common early side effects.
Sexual side effects, including lower libido and orgasm problems, can be frustrating.
Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, anxiety, and headaches.
Mood can worsen early on, including suicidal thoughts in younger adults.
Lexapro can stop feeling effective over time, leading to dose changes or switching.

How Lexapro Works and How It’s Taken

Lexapro is a type of medication called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. This may help improve mood and ease symptoms of depression.

Doctors prescribe Lexapro to adults and children ages 12 and older with major depressive disorder.

Lexapro is given as a tablet by mouth, typically once daily in the morning or evening, with or without food.

Typical Dosing for Depression

The recommended starting dose of Lexapro for depression is 10 milligrams once daily.

For people who respond to treatment, the recommended maintenance dose is 10 milligrams once daily. A doctor may raise the dose to a maximum of 20 milligrams once daily after at least one week in adults, or after at least three weeks in children ages 12 and older. Doctors usually recommend lowering the dose gradually instead of stopping it suddenly.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Top Advice From Members on Lexapro

These insights are based on 917 comments about Lexapro from MyDepressionTeam members.

Members who use Lexapro often say that patience, consistency, and close communication with a doctor matter most. Many also mention keeping an eye on side effects, especially when starting, changing doses, or switching off the medication.

1

Be patient, because Lexapro can take time to work.
“I was on Lexapro (escitalopram) before. It did work but took at least four or five weeks before it kicked in.”
2

Talk to your doctor if side effects feel hard to manage.
“I had some headaches and fatigue when I started Lexapro, but then it got better. It’s gone now.”
3

Don’t stop Lexapro suddenly.
“You will more than likely get sicker. Please take it from one who has done this and got really sick. Taper off slowly.”
4

Find a daily routine that works for you.
“I finally figured out how to NOT be sleepy 24/7. I started taking my Lexapro at night instead of in the mornings.”

Connect with others who understand life with depression. Join MyDepressionTeam for free.

Lexapro Side Effects

In studies of Lexapro for MDD in adults and children ages 12 and older, the most common side effects occurred in about 5 percent to 15 percent of people. They include:

Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
Delayed ejaculation (a sexual side effect in some males)
Nausea
Increased sweating
Fatigue (tiredness)
Somnolence (sleepiness)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Lexapro can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors — The risk is higher in people ages 24 and younger, especially early in treatment or when the dose changes.
Serotonin syndrome — This is a potentially life-threatening reaction from too much serotonin in the body.
Discontinuation syndrome — Withdrawal-like symptoms can occur if Lexapro is stopped suddenly.
Seizures — Convulsions can occur.
Mania or hypomania — Unusually high energy, racing thoughts, or risky behavior can occur, especially in people with bipolar disorder.
Hyponatremia — Low sodium levels in the blood can occur and may be related to SIADH, a hormone-related condition.
Increased risk of bleeding — Bleeding can be more likely, especially if Lexapro is taken with medicines like aspirin, NSAIDs, or blood thinners.
Angle-closure glaucoma — A sudden rise in eye pressure can cause eye pain or vision changes.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Lexapro

The AbbVie website offers the myAbbVie Assist Patient Assistance Program.

To learn more, visit the myAbbVie Assist program page or call 800-222-6885.

What To Know Before Taking Lexapro

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to escitalopram, citalopram, or any ingredients in Lexapro. Do not take Lexapro if you are allergic to escitalopram or citalopram, or any of the ingredients in Lexapro.

Do not take Lexapro if you:

Are taking, or have stopped taking within the last 14 days, a medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), including the antibiotic linezolid or intravenous methylene blue
Are taking the antipsychotic medicine pimozide

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. Lexapro and some medicines may affect each other and may cause serious side effects.

Before taking Lexapro, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

Have or had seizures or convulsions
Have, or have a family history of, bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania
Have low blood sodium levels
Have or had bleeding problems
Have glaucoma (high pressure in the eye)
Have heart, liver, or kidney problems

Do not start or stop any other medicines during treatment with Lexapro without talking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping Lexapro suddenly may cause you or your child to have serious side effects.

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Lexapro affects you. Do not drink alcohol during treatment with Lexapro.

There is a pregnancy registry for those who are exposed to Lexapro during pregnancy. To register with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants, call 866-961-2388 or visit the registry website.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Lexapro, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Lexapro may carry risks during pregnancy, especially later in pregnancy. Taking Lexapro during the third trimester of pregnancy may cause the baby to have withdrawal symptoms, or breathing, temperature control, feeding, or other problems after birth.

Lexapro passes into breast milk and may harm the baby. If you breastfeed during treatment with Lexapro, call your healthcare provider if the baby develops sleepiness or fussiness, or is not feeding or gaining weight well.

Lexapro is also FDA approved to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and children ages 7 and older.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Lexapro?

In three eight-week studies of adults ages 18 to 65 with MDD, both 10-milligram and 20-milligram daily doses led to greater improvement than placebo (an inactive treatment) on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, a standard measure of depression symptoms. In a longer study where 274 people who improved after an initial eight weeks were followed for up to 36 more weeks, those who stayed on Lexapro went longer without their depression coming back compared to those who switched to a placebo.

Lexapro has been studied in children ages 12 to 17 with depression. In that study, teens who took Lexapro had more improvement in their symptoms than those who took a placebo.

How long does Lexapro take to work for depression?

Studies on Lexapro for MDD reported symptom improvement over eight weeks. It is unknown exactly how long it takes to start feeling better after starting Lexapro.

Can Lexapro cause tiredness or sleep problems when used for depression?

Yes. In adults with MDD, common side effects included insomnia, fatigue, and somnolence, which means sleepiness. In studies, insomnia happened in 9 percent of people taking Lexapro, fatigue in 8 percent, and sleepiness in 6 percent.

What should I know before stopping Lexapro for depression?

Do not stop taking Lexapro suddenly. Your doctor may slowly lower your dose over time. Stopping too quickly can cause symptoms.

These may include mood changes, irritability, anxiety, dizziness, headache, trouble sleeping, and feeling very tired. Some people may also feel confused or have unusual changes in mood.