Lexapro (escitalopram) for Depression

Lexapro (escitalopram) is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Lexapro affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety.

Lexapro is used to treat anxiety in adults and major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents who are at least 12 years old.
Do not take Lexapro together with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take Lexapro. After you stop taking Lexapro, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI.
You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medication. Lexapro may cause heart defects or serious lung problems in a newborn if you take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Do not start or stop taking Lexapro during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.
The damned stuff saved my life, or at least my quality of life. I was depressed for 35 years and about three years ago I decided I didn't care anymore what people thought - I was going to try medication for depression. I started with WellButrin, and it helped a bit - the constant undercurrent of grief began to let up a little. I figured "in for a penny, in for a pound" and agreed to try Lexapro, and for the first time since I was a kid, I felt *normal*. I have energy, have a life.