Used to treat depression and anxiety in children and adults ages 12 and older, Lexapro is an antidepressant belonging to a family of drugs known to the medical community as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Lexapro works by restoring balance to serotonin levels in the brain. Before taking Lexapro, you should make yourself aware of the possible side effects you may experience.
Side Effects to Expect
Certain side effects can be expected in the beginning of your treatment with Lexapro, which is why they are considered the most common. Over time, they should subside. These side effects include headache, fatigue, dry mouth, increased sweating, constipation, diarrhea and dizziness. If you find these side effects do not subside in a reasonable amount of time or become worse, contact your doctor.
Sexual Side Effects
Sexual side effects are very common with SSRIs. Because Lexapro is an SSRI, it is not unusual to experience some type of sexual side effect with this drug. These include a decreased sex drive, impotence (erectile dysfunction), problems having an orgasm, difficulty ejaculating and a decrease in sexual pleasure.
Insomnia as a Side Effect
Considered another common side effect of Lexapro, insomnia occurs in up to 12 percent of patients who take it for anxiety, and 9 percent of those taking it for depression, according to eMedTV.com. Signs of insomnia include difficulty falling asleep, waking too early in the morning, waking in the middle of the night with an inability to fall back asleep and feeling as though you haven't slept at all.
Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome, while rare, is a serious condition that needs to be reported to your doctor immediately. It is considered a serious side effect of Lexapro and its symptoms include confusion; gastrointesintal problems such as diarrhea, vomiting and nausea; fluctuations in your blood pressure; fever accompanied by sweating and shivering; and agitation. You may also suffer from this condition if you experience a rapid or irregular heart beat, hallucinations or seizures.
Other Serious Side Effects
Additional side effects considered serious enough to report immediately to your doctor include suicidal thoughts, becoming hostile or aggressive, an inability to sit still, a change in your moods from elation to depression and chest palpitations. These are all indications of a severe health risk and should be addressed as soon as possible.
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