Lexapro (Escitalopram): online prescription management for anxiety and depression

With Talkspace Psychiatry, the first step is to complete a brief assessment that helps match you with a qualified psychiatric clinician. Once you’re matched with a psychiatric clinician, you’ll have a live video session where you’ll share how you’ve been feeling and your symptoms. From there, they’ll prescribe a treatment plan specific to your needs and medical history. Your provider may prescribe you Lexapro or its generic form. You can get medications sent to your local pharmacy or directly to your door.

Lexapro (escitalopram) is taken in different forms, dosages, and frequency, depending on your mental health condition and the treatment plan prescribed by your provider. Lexapro is generally taken orally in pill form, although it can be taken in liquid form if needed. This medication is typically taken once a day, either with or without food. Consistency is key. Your prescriber will likely start you on a lower dose and increase it gradually as needed to treat your symptoms. 

It’s important to take Lexapro and its generic form, escitalopram, exactly as prescribed by your clinician. Side effects of Lexapro are often mild and can include dry mouth, sweating, insomnia, sleepiness, fatigue, and more. For many people, these side effects reduce as you continue taking Lexapro and your body gets used to it.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience thoughts of self-harm or suicide, excessive bleeding, erections that last four hours or longer, a high temperature, constant headaches, confusion, unexplained weight changes, changes to your period, or other side effects as indicated on your prescription label. 

You should only take Lexapro or its generic form if prescribed by a licensed psychiatric clinician. Do not take Lexapro if you’re allergic to it or any of its ingredients like escitalopram. Make sure your provider is aware of all other medications you’re taking, whether they’re for your mental or physical health, so they can judge whether lexapro is safe for you to take. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, you may need to avoid Lexapro as it can have serious effects on late term pregnancy.

It’s important to talk to your doctor to get the right medication for your situation. Do not stop taking Lexapro suddenly as it needs to be gradually stopped, and always consult your psychiatrist before stopping medication. 

Lexapro and Xanax are not the same medication or in the same medication class. They are both brand name prescription-only medications for mental health disorders, but Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) while Xanax is a benzodiazepine. Both Lexapro and Xanax are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders or panic disorders. Lexapro can also treat depression. Xanax is a controlled substance while Lexapro is not. 

Weight loss or weight gain varies from person to person when taking any antidepressant, including Lexapro. Some people may lose weight when first taking Lexapro but other people might gain weight.  For example, Lexapro can cause weight loss if it increases a person’s energy levels and pushes them to exercise more. However, it can cause weight gain because of an increase in appetite or because people might eat more as a result of feeling less depressed or anxious. It all depends on the individual person and their circumstances.

There are several different medications your psychiatrist may prescribe for anxiety or depression. 

Other medications for anxiety include:

• Propranolol
• Trazodone
• Buspar
• Cymbalta
• Neurontin
• Fluoxetine
• Escitalopram

Other medications for depression include:

• Citalopram
• Fluoxetine
• Paxil
• Prozac
• Wellbutrin
• Abilify
• Lithium 
• Seroquel
• Zyprexa
• Remeron