Psychiatric problems, including anxiety and depression, are often treated with a class of medication known as SSRIs, which includes the drug Lexapro. Lexapro can cause various side effects and may result in a mild elevation of cholesterol levels, but it is unlikely to cause an increase that can significantly affect your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Lexapro
Lexapro, which is the brand name for the medication escitalopram, is a member of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, class of drugs. These drugs work by increasing the levels of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that is important for regulating mood. People with depression and anxiety often have lowered levels of serotonin in their brains, and the SSRIs are often used to treat these psychiatric problems.
Cholesterol
Your cholesterol levels are important because they are one of the most potent controllable risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. High levels of cholesterol in your blood, particularly a form of cholesterol known as LDL, can result in your arteries becoming narrow and stiff due to cholesterol deposition. This process, known as atherosclerosis, increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
SSRIs and Cholesterol
One common side effect of taking Lexapro and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is that they can cause mild elevations in your cholesterol levels. The increase in cholesterol is typically not clinically significant, a 2001 article in "Psychosomatics" reports. However, there are some documented cases of elevated cholesterol levels in people taking fluoxetine, another SSRI, and venlafaxine, a related medication, one of which is detailed in the "Psychosomatics" article.
Considerations
Taking Lexapro is unlikely to cause a significant increase in your cholesterol levels, but you should still talk to your doctor before taking Lexapro or any other psychiatric medication. Lexapro can cause nausea, diarrhea, drowsiness, heartburn, dry mouth, tiredness, constipation, stomach pain, decreased sexual drive and increased appetite. Be sure that your doctor knows about all health problems and medications that you are taking if you take Lexapro, including herbal compounds.
