An antidepressant is a medication which is used to treat:
- Major depressive disorder;
- Certain anxiety disorders;
- Some chronic pain conditions; and
- Management of certain addictions.
Anxiety orders which may be treated with antidepressants include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder;
- Social anxiety disorder;
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD);
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and
- Panic disorder.
Antidepressants may also be used to treat pain disorders, including:
- Fibromyalgia; and
- Neuropathic pain; and
- Other pain disorders.
Certain eating disorders may be treated with antidepressants, including:
- Anorexia;
- Bulimia; and
- Other eating disorders.
There are some common side effects of taking an antidepressant, which may include:
- Dry mouth;
- Weight gain;
- Dizziness;
- Headaches;
- Sexual dysfunction; and
- Emotional blunting.
In addition, antidepressants are commonly used in combination with other antidepressants. Some individuals have benefits from these medications and other individuals do not.
Guidelines provide that antidepressant treatment should be considered for individuals who have:
- A history of moderate or severe depression;
- Mild depression which has been present for a long period;
- A need for a second-line treatment for mild depression which persists after other interventions; and/or
- The need for a first-line treatment for moderate or severe depression.
Are There Adverse Effects of Antidepressants?
Yes, antidepressants can cause different adverse effects, which will depend upon the individual taking the medication and the specific medication involved. Most medications which regulate serotonin have the potential to cause serotonin toxicity, also referred to as serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin syndrome, or an excess of serotonin, may induce:
- Mania;
- Restlessness;
- Agitation;
- Emotional lability;
- Insomnia; and
- Confusion.
Although it is a serious condition, it is not that common. It typically only appears at high doses or when used with other medications.
It is rarely fatal, especially when proper medical intervention is taken, usually within 24 hours.
What are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is believed to increase the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin by limiting its reabsorption and, thereby, increasing the levels of serotonin. SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressant medications in numerous countries.
SSRIs which have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression include:
- Citalopram (Celexa);
- Escitalopram (Lexapro);
- Fluoxetine (Prozac);
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva); and
- Sertraline (Zoloft).
What is Lexapro?
Lexapro, or escitalopram, is in the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as noted above. Lexapro can be used to treat depression by affecting the chemicals in the branch which may be unbalanced and cause depression, including serotonin.
What are the Side Effects From Using Lexapro?
There are numerous side effects an individual may experience when they are taking Lexapro. The side effects of Lexapro may range from mild to severe.
Some common side effects of Lexapro may include, but are not limited to:
- Constipation;
- Decreased appetite;
- Decreased sex drive;
- Diarrhea;
- Dizziness;
- Dry mouth;
- Ejaculation disorder;
- Fatigue;
- Flu-like symptoms;
- Impotence;
- Indigestion;
- Insomnia; and
- Nausea.
Less common side effects an individual may experience when taking Lexapro include, but are not limited to:
- Abdominal pain;
- Allergic reactions;
- Bronchitis;
- Chest pain;
- High blood pressure;
- Increased appetite;
- Joint pain;
- Lack of energy;
- Migraine;
- Palpitations;
- Rash;
- Tremors;
- Urinary problems;
- Vertigo; and
- Vomiting.
In some rare cases, using Lexapro may trigger mania, which means an individual will experience unreasonably high spirits as well as excess energy.
What Could Happen If I Take Too Much Lexapro?
It is important to be aware that a massive overdose of Lexapro may be fatal. The typical symptoms of Lexapro overdose may include:
- Dizziness;
- Sweating;
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Tremors;
- Drowsiness;
- Rapid heartbeat; and
- Seizures.
In rare cases, an overdose of Lexapro may also cause:
- Memory loss;
- Confusion;
- Coma;
- Breathing problems;
- Muscle wasting;
- Irregular heartbeat; and
- Bluish tinge to the skin.
As discussed above, taking too much Lexapro may also result in serotonin syndrome.
Should I Stop Taking Lexapro?
It is essential for an individual to consult with their physician prior to stopping Lexapro or any other medication. Lexapro is similar to other antidepressants, including:
- Paxil;
- Prozac; and
- Zoloft.
The withdrawal symptoms an individual may experience from stopping these drugs may potentially be worse than the side effects they are experiencing from the drug itself.
What are Generic Drugs?
A generic drug is a non-brand version of a medication or drug. A generic drug is often an over-the-counter version of a prescription medication. The generic version of Lexapro is escitalopram.
It is common for medications to be filled or prescribed as generics, as they typically cost less than the branded medication. The generic version of a medication may contain the same active ingredients as the original drug.
It is important to note that there may be a slight risk to using generic drugs. There is a chance that the manufacturer did not include the correct combination of ingredients or that they used inferior ingredients.
In addition, certain cheap generic drugs or drugs which originate from unreliable sources may, in some cases, be improperly labeled. It is important to verify that an individual receives the correct generic mediation in the correct dosage.
An individual can always consult with their doctor or pharmacist if they have any questions regarding a medication they have been prescribed.
What Are Some Common Generic Drug Injuries?
As noted above, there may be some risks associated with generic drugs. Common injuries which may be associated with generic drugs may include:
- An improper dosage due to an incorrect label or incorrect instructions;
- Allergic reactions to inferior or alternative ingredients;
- Overall misdiagnosis, or using an incorrect drug for certain conditions. This may occur in cases where the advice of a physician is missing;
- Long-term side effects which may not be accounted for with the original product;
- Illness resulting from defective medicines; and
- Injuries resulting from misrepresentation of a product.
Generic drug injuries often result from product mislabeling, confusion, or incorrect comparisons with brand-name products. Depending upon the product, side effects an individual may experience include:
- Stomach or digestive disturbances;
- Headache;
- Nausea; or
- Vomiting.
Are Generic Drugs Riskier Than Brand Name Equivalents?
Research suggests that the labels on generic drugs are often different from labels on the brand-name counterpart, which may include different safety information. One study found that almost one-tenth of the prescription drugs with differences in the labels had at least ten side effects which did not match up.
- Generic labels may contain information that is:
- Incomplete or omitted;
- Outdated;
- Incorrect; or
- Pertaining to the wrong drug.
It can be dangerous to omit information on prescription drug labels. A physician will often use information on drug labels when they are prescribing or determining what dosage a patient may safely consume. Incomplete safety information may lead to overlooked side effects and may even have fatal consequences.
A safety label may also not reflect that the generic drug taken on its own may have side effects or risks.
Do I Need a Lawyer if I Have Been Taking Lexapro?
If you believe you have been injured by the side effects of Lexapro, you should speak with a class action attorney who has experience with products liability and with working with victims of unsafe drugs. Your legal rights may depend upon contacting this attorney within a timely manner after discovering that you suffered injury from Lexapro side effects.
Your attorney can advise you of the laws which apply to your case, whether your injuries may qualify for compensation and represent you in court. You may be able to bring a lawsuit against several different parties either by yourself or with a group of other individuals who have been injured by the drug, called a class action lawsuit.
