Dexatrim & Lexapro

Dexatrim and Lexapro are intended to be used to serve two different purposes. Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant medication. It is only available by prescription and is used to treat anxiety or major depressive disorder in adults. Dexatrim, on the other hand, is an over-the-counter dietary supplement designed to help individuals lose weight. You should not take these two products together unless you have explicit permission from your doctor to do so.

Lexapro

Although Lexapro is used to alter the chemicals in the brain to treat depression or anxiety disorders, the medication may have physical side effects as well. One side effect of Lexapro is weight loss or weight gain. However, you should not take Lexapro for the sole purpose of gaining or losing weight. Some doctors may choose to prescribe this medication "off-label" for the purpose of treating eating disorders, but this practice is controversial and is not approved by the FDA. Before you agree to take Lexapro for any off-label purpose, always do your own research and thoroughly discuss all potential risks with a doctor or pharmacist. If you are taking Lexapro for depression or anxiety and gain weight, explore other methods of weight loss before considering diet pills like Dexatrim.

Dexatrim

The Dexatrim brand offers three different products -- Dexatrim Natural, Dexatrim Max and Dexatrim Daytime Appetite Control. While the specific ingredients of these products vary, they all contain some combination of vitamins, minerals, caffeine and a blend of herbs. Although Dexatrim used to contain phenylpropanolamine, which is known to interact negatively with Lexapro, it no longer contains this ingredient. Because Dexatrim products are dietary supplements and not medications, these products are not evaluated by the FDA. Because of this, you should always do your own research and use caution when taking any herbal supplement. If you are currently using a Dexatrim product and believe you may need to take an antidepressant like Lexapro, ask your doctor if you should discontinue the use of these products first.

Interactions

Although no serious drug interactions between the current ingredients of Dexatrim and Lexapro exist, this does not mean you could not experience a negative side effect when taking the products together. Always consult with your doctor or a pharmacist before taking these two products concurrently. If your doctor or pharmacist gives you permission to take the two products together, always monitor your body carefully and report any usual physical reactions to a doctor promptly.

Considerations

Even if you do not use Dexatrim and Lexapro together, you still may experience side effects from either product. The high amount of caffeine in Dexatrim may cause insomnia, irritability, nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, gastrointestinal upset and muscle tremors. Lexapro also has side effects, some of which are serious and potentially life-threatening. In addition to weight changes, side effects of Lexapro may include dizziness, drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, ringing in the ears, yawning, dry mouth, gastrointestinal upset and insomnia. Serious side effects may also occur when taking Lexapro, including rigid muscles, loss of coordination, hallucinations, fainting, seizures, difficulty breathing, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, fever or overactive reflexes. Some people, particularly those under the age of 24, may have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Call your doctor or mental health provider immediately if any of these serious side effects occur.