The generic name of Lexapro is Escitalopram, which belongs to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant. The drug works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain that helps to improve mood and decreases anxiety symptoms.
The use of this drug during pregnancy can cause problems for an unborn baby or newborns. It can cause symptoms such as:
– Abnormal muscle movements and coordination problems.
– Breathing and feeding problems.
– Heart defects and blood flow.
Escitalopram is a controlled substance in the US. Abuse of Lexapro drug can lead to arrest for misuse or distribution charges by law enforcement agencies due to its serious side effects.
- Generic name
- Escitalopram
- Brand Names
- Lexapro, Cipralex, Seroplex.
- Manufacturer
- Forest Laboratories Inc. (USA) and Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (USA)
- Classification
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant. A type of anti-depressant drug.
Lexapro is available as 5mg, 10mg or 20 mg tablets. It can be taken by mouth once daily with or without food. The maximum dose for the adult is 20mg per day. This medicine should be started at a lower dose and increased gradually until you reach the optimum level of dosing that works for you. The maximum dose for children is 10mg per day.
Escitalopram can be taken alone or with other medications that are used to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders and anxiety conditions. Always take Lexapro exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The full therapeutic effect of this drug may not be felt until after one to two weeks of treatment.
Side effects:
Side effects from Lexapro are usually mild and go away within a few days, but sometimes they can be strong and last longer. Some common side effects that may occur include:
– Headache
– Nausea or upset stomach
– Nightmares or unusual dreams
– Back pain or stiffness
– Constipation or diarrhea
– Increased sweating.
Some people taking Lexapro have reported feeling restless, depressed or anxious, having trouble sleeping, and feeling more sensitive to loud sounds or bright lights than usual. Call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms because they may be serious.
About how much is lexapro without insurance?
First of all, the cost of Lexapro 10mg, which is actually manufactured by Forest Laboratories, can be as low as $104 for 30 tablets. However if you plan to buy the generic version of this medication made by Apotex Corp there’s no way you can get it for less than $1300. If you think about the price of generic drugs in general, most of them are cheaper than their brand-name equivalents.
Generic equivalents of Lexapro are also offered at discount prices ranging from $1000 to $1200 for 100 tablets, depending upon the dosage strength your purchase. But since they are available only through online pharmacies like Drugstore you won’t be able to make it to a local pharmacy or even order it over the phone.
But just because you’re buying the generic version of the medication and not the brand name one doesn’t mean that you’ll be getting a lower dosage. You may find that even though it’s cheaper, the dosage is actually higher than what you need. So if for instance you need 10mg you should look for the 5mg version of generic Lexapro.
If you’re prescribed with 20mg – make sure that you buy “double strength” or 40mg pills, because otherwise one pill won’t be enough to get the desired effect.