Lexapro (Escitalopram Solution)

• It is used to treat low mood (depression).
• It is used to treat anxiety.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

• If you have an allergy to escitalopram or any other part of Lexapro.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Citalopram or pimozide.
• If you have taken certain drugs used for low mood (depression) like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine or drugs used for Parkinson's disease like selegiline or rasagiline in the last 14 days. Taking this medicine within 14 days of those drugs can cause very bad high blood pressure.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Lexapro.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Lexapro. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Do not stop taking Lexapro all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of side effects. If you need to stop this medicine, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Lexapro.
• Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• In depression, sleep and appetite may get better soon after starting this medicine. Other low mood signs may take up to 4 weeks to get better.
• This medicine may raise the chance of bleeding. Sometimes, bleeding can be life-threatening. Talk with the doctor.
• Some people may have a higher chance of eye problems with Lexapro. Your doctor may want you to have an eye exam to see if you have a higher chance of these eye problems. Call your doctor right away if you have eye pain, change in eyesight, or swelling or redness in or around the eye.
• This medicine can cause low sodium levels. Very low sodium levels can be life-threatening, leading to seizures, passing out, trouble breathing, or death. Talk with the doctor.
• Use with care in children. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Lexapro (escitalopram solution) while you are pregnant.
• Taking this medicine in the third trimester of pregnancy may lead to some health problems in the newborn. Talk with the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of low sodium levels like headache, trouble focusing, memory problems, feeling confused, weakness, seizures, or change in balance.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds; coughing up blood; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; vaginal bleeding that is not normal; bruises without a reason or that get bigger; or any bleeding that is very bad or that you cannot stop.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Chest pain or pressure.
• Change in sex ability.
• Lowered interest in sex.
• Period (menstrual) changes.
• A very bad and sometimes deadly health problem called serotonin syndrome may happen. The risk may be greater if you take Lexapro with drugs for depression, migraines, or certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; very bad diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or very bad headache.
• Call your doctor right away if you have a painful erection (hard penis) or an erection that lasts for longer than 4 hours. This may happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it may lead to lasting sex problems and you may not be able to have sex.