Lexapro, or escitalopram generically, is an anti-depressant medication. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that can cause serotonin activity increases in your brain. Lexapro is used in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and mental depression, the Mayo Clinic states. It is available through a prescription from your physician. The most common side effects of Lexapro are not considered serious and should disappear as you continue your therapy with the drug.
Sexual Side Effects
As with many medications designed to treat your depression, Lexapro can induce some side effects that affect your sex life. It may cause your interest in sexual intercourse to diminish. If you are a man, you may experience a delay in the time it takes you to ejaculate, or it may prevent you from having an erection entirely. It also may prevent you from keeping your penis erect. Your ability and performance in sexual situations also may be lost. After the initial phase of treatment for your depression with Lexapro, all of these problems should disappear. Contact your physician or psychiatrist if they do not.
Digestive Problems
There are several common side effects of Lexapro associated with your digestive system. Your stomach may produce more gas than normal, or you may experience pain in your stomach. Heartburn unassociated with food intake may also occur when you take Lexapro. Having a very dry mouth also is a potential common side effect of taking escitalopram. You also may have problems trying to defecate, or conversely, you may get diarrhea while taking the medication.
Sleeping Side Effects
Escitalopram has been known to produce common side effects affecting how you sleep. You may find it impossible to sleep or, having fallen asleep, you may wake up and have trouble returning to sleep. Conversely, the medication also can make you abnormally drowsy, and you may find it difficult to stay awake. Tell your doctor if these side effects annoy you or don't go away after a few days or a week of taking escitalopram.
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