What is Lexapro? How to Treat with Generic Escitalopram.

Generic Lexapro (Escitalopram 5 mg) guide:

More facts about Generic Lexapro (Escitalopram 5 mg):

What is the medication that is sold as Generic Lexapro?

Lexapro is a brand name of the antidepressant based on the active substance called Escitalopram. It is sold worldwide but under different trade names. People from the U.S. and the UK are familiar with the name Lexapro and do not know the other trademarks under which the medication is sold but they can greatly benefit if they buy Lexapro instead.

Generic Lexapro is a collective term used for all medications identical to the branded medication but that have different trade names. It is an unofficial name that is used for convenience only and cannot be written on the box of pills because it contains a registered copyrighted name in it. The same medicines can be also found if you ask a pharmacist or look in Google for online selling of Generic Escitalopram by the name of the active ingredient. You should know that these preparations are in no way inferior to the branded medication although they cost much less money.

It is possible for different pharmaceutical companies to manufacture and sell the same medication because the patent for the exclusive production and distribution of the original drug developer has already expired. It was first approved in the U.S. in 2001. Currently, there are a number of preparations with the same formula and composition that have an identical effect and can without any shortcomings replace the branded antidepressant in the therapy of such conditions as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, and many others. The reason people opt for generics instead of the branded medicine is that it can cost up to ten times fewer money.

Why is the branded drug, Lexapro, is more expensive than the generic if they have the same effect?

If you still question whether you should buy Lexapro or its generic, let us dispel your doubts. The higher price of the branded medication is explained not by its exclusive quality or efficiency but because, first of all, the brand owner paid for the research while the makers of generics do not invest in it but rather use already created formulas. Secondly, branded manufacturers invest a lot of money into the promotion and advertising of their medications. It is proven that they pay kickbacks to the doctors so that they would prescribe namely their branded medications. To cover all of these costs, the large pharmaceutical companies who own the well-known brands of medications set sometimes ridiculously high prices for their products. Indeed, without their research, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the generics as well but the developers could set lower, reasonable prices then there wouldn’t be any reason for generics creation. Anyway, no one stops them from setting high prices for their products but if their discoveries are proven to be game changers for people who suffer from the conditions these medicines are used for, they are obliged to share the formula with generic drug makers. This program is created by the World Health Organization with the aim of providing people with all levels of incomes with equal rights and possibilities for an effective therapy.

When should you buy Generic Lexapro?

You can without any doubts purchase the generic version of this serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant if your therapist appoints you the branded medicine. Otherwise, you may check your diagnosis and if it’s one of the following conditions but your doctor hadn’t prescribed you this preparation, you can ask them if you could use the medication for: major depressive disorder, panic disorder, panic disorder accompanied by agoraphobia, social anxiety or social phobia, generalized anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

If you don’t have any of these conditions but your therapist still tells you to buy Escitalopram, do not worry, it is possible to use the pills off-label if your doctor believes that they would be suitable for your condition.

When should not you use the medication?

Before you order Lexapro from our online pharmacy even though you can do so without having a prescription from a doctor, we still advise you to check that the medication is not contradicted for you. The pills should not be taken by people with hypersensitivity to the medication. It can be detected if after a single or several intakes of the pills you start suffering from moderate to severe adverse reactions and especially such allergic reactions as skin rash or itching. In such cases, you must stop taking the pills.

The preparation is also contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children younger than twelve years, people with manic disorders, people who suffered from alcoholic poisoning or poisoning with other substances or medications. Besides, the pills are contraindicated to be combined with certain medications. More information about the negative interactions is provided below in the respective section.

With what medications or substances Lexapro must not be combined?

Before you order Generic Lexapro, you need to make sure you are not undergoing any therapy that is incompatible with this medication intake. Here we provide the information from the official instruction but we still highly recommend you to consult your doctor first before you start taking the antidepressant pills.

The medication is strictly prohibited to be taken with MAO inhibitors and sooner than 14 days after the therapy of MAO inhibitors is discontinued. The therapy with MAO inhibitors can be started not sooner than 14 days after the therapy with Escitalopram is finished. The concurrent use of such preparations is related with high risk of serotonin syndrome development characterized by extreme agitation, tremor, hyperthermia, and serious health damage.

The antidepressant is contraindicated to be taken at the same time with any medicines that elongate the QT interval.

Simultaneous use of Pimozide with Escitalopram is also prohibited.

Besides, the antidepressant should be cautiously used serotonergic medicines, preparations that reduce the seizure threshold, Lithium, Tryptophan, St. John's Wort, anticoagulants and drugs that affect blood coagulability, ethanol (alcohol), and medicines that can cause hypokalemia/hypomagnesemia.

How to use Generic Lexapro?

The generic version of the medication is used absolutely the same as the branded drug. The pills are taken without regard to meals. The starting dosage is 10 mg once a day for all the conditions the medication is indicated for. Based on the medication efficiency and how well the pills are tolerated, the dosage can be increased to 20 mg taken once a day. It is a maximum dosage and the safety of higher dosages isn’t confirmed. The antidepressive effect is usually achieved to the fullest after 2-4 weeks of the therapy. To consolidate the effect, the therapy must be continued for at least six months.

In the therapy of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, the maximum therapeutic effect is achieved within 3 months of the therapy. To consolidate the effect, the therapy must be continued for a few more months.

For social anxiety, the minimum treatment course duration is 12 weeks. The recommended therapy duration is 6 months.

For generalized anxiety, the advised treatment duration is from 3 to 6 months.

For obsessive-compulsive disorder, the recommended treatment duration is from 3 months till the complete elimination of symptoms and to prevent relapses.

The discontinuation of the therapy must be made with gradual dosage reduction within 1-2 weeks. If the symptoms come back during this time, the therapy with the previous minimal effective dosage should be continued.

Dosage adjustments

If you are older than 65 years, when you buy Escitalopram, you should take into account that the maximum daily dosage for your age is 10 mg. The starting dosage is 5 mg. If it is effective, you should stick to it. If it is insufficient and you tolerate the preparation well, the dosage can be raised to 10 mg a day.

People with mild to moderate renal function impairment do not require dosage adjustments. People with severe kidney function impairment should take the medication cautiously and follow the doctor’s recommendations.

People with liver function impairment of mild to moderate severity are advised to start the therapy from 5 mg a day with subsequent increase to 10 mg if the dosage of 5 mg is insufficient but is well tolerated. In severe liver function impairment the medication use and dosages are appointed at the doctor's discretion.

Generic Lexapro adverse effects

The adverse effects of the generic medication are the same as from the use of the branded drug. They usually develop during the first two weeks of the therapy and subsequently lose their intensity. They can be the following: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth, a decrease or increase in appetite, an increase in body weight, a reduction in body weight, anxiety, fear, abnormal dreams, decreased libido, bruxism, agitation, nervousness, panic attacks, confusion, aggression, depersonalization, hallucinations, mania, suicidal thoughts , suicidal behavior, and others.

If the negative symptoms cause you a lot of discomfort, you should immediately inform your therapist. It is especially important with suicidal thoughts as they can intensify during the start of the therapy and lead to irreversible consequences.

Escitalopram overdose

The symptoms are agitation, nausea, dizziness, and others. Sometimes an overdose can cause no reactions and symptoms at all. If you know that you overdose but do not have any symptoms, you can try vomiting and then take activated carbon. If you overdosed significantly, you should seek emergency help.

Where to buy Lexapro?

The medication is a prescription drug in some countries and is an over-the-counter drug in others. If you want to save on the multi-month therapy, you can order Escitalopram from our online pharmacy as we offer the best quality medicines at the low prices.

Lexapro shipping

We will ship your order wherever you are via standard or express mail.