Lexapro

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depression

Treatment

20 Active Studies for Lexapro

What is Lexapro

Escitalopram

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Escitalopram is a type of antidepressant medication called a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI). It works by restoring the balance of serotonin in the brain, which can help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Escitalopram is much stronger than other similar medications and is thought to have fewer side effects. It also works faster and is more effective than other SSRIs due to its specific action on serotonin transporters.

Lexapro

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Lexapro Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Lexapro

Escitalopram

2002

362

Effectiveness

How Lexapro Affects Patients

Escitalopram is a type of medication called an SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) that helps boost serotonin levels in the brain. It is considered to be a fast-acting SSRI, and can cause abnormal bleeding or a condition called serotonin syndrome if taken with other drugs. If you need to stop taking escitalopram, it should be gradually reduced over time to avoid unpleasant side effects.

How Lexapro works in the body

Escitalopram works to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. It does this by blocking serotonin from being taken back up into the brain cells. It also binds to a secondary site on the serotonin transporter molecule, which further increases the amount of serotonin in the brain. After a while of this increased serotonin, the brain cells become less sensitive to it, which helps to create the full effect of the drug. Escitalopram does not bind to other types of receptors, which can help explain some side effects.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Lexapro is contingent upon the diagnosed affliction, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression. The amount fluctuates in line with the technique of delivery featured in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

20.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 5.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

20.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 5.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit

Depression

20.0 mg, , 10.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 5.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg, 1.0 mg, 2.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Kit

Warnings

Lexapro Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Escitalopram may interact with Pulse Frequency

Long QT Syndrome

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

Long QT Syndrome

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Lexapro.

Common Lexapro Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Aclidinium

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Escitalopram is combined with Aclidinium.

Artemether

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Escitalopram is combined with Artemether.

Azelastine

Major

Escitalopram may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.

Cimetropium

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Escitalopram is combined with Cimetropium.

Dronedarone

Major

Escitalopram may increase the QTc-prolonging activities of Dronedarone.

Lexapro Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Overdosing on escitalopram may cause dizziness, seizures, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, increased heart rate, and changes in the heart's electrical activity. There is no specific antidote for this drug, so monitoring vital signs and providing supportive care is the best way to treat overdose. Since this drug is quickly absorbed into the tissue after ingestion, methods such as dialysis are not likely to be very helpful.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Lexapro Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Lexapro?

231 active studies are currently assessing the utility of Lexapro in the management of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Depression

215 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 1, Early Phase 1

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

7 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

63 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1, Early Phase 1

Lexapro Reviews: What are patients saying about Lexapro?

4

Patient Review

10/31/2022

Lexapro for Anxiousness associated with Depression

It's tough switches medications, and it took about three months for me to transition from Effexor to Lexapro. I'm now on 20mg and have experienced a decrease in appetite. If you're struggling with making a similar switch, consider taking lorazepam to help ease the process; it definitely aided me.

3.3

Patient Review

10/5/2022

Lexapro for Depression

I tried Lexapro a few months ago but stopped because the first week was really tough. I decided to give it another go recently and have been taking it in the morning. It's helped me feel stable during the day, but I crash around 7pm and become tired and irritable.

3

Patient Review

9/22/2022

Lexapro for Depression

I started on 10 mg to help with postpartum depression, it definitely helped but now they doubled my dosage and I take it at night. The increased dosage has caused me to have obsessive thoughts which then lead to anxiety attacks if I can't remember something. Not sure I'm going to continue with it.

2.7

Patient Review

10/28/2022

Lexapro for Panic Disorder

I was on this medicine for around two months. I started with a low dose of 10mg, but after a couple weeks with no change, my doctor upped it to 15mg. Even at this lower dosage, though, I had really terrible side effects that made me unable to function normally. It felt like there was always a fire inside me and I would have these awful nightmares.

2.3

Patient Review

9/15/2022

Lexapro for Depression

I was on Lexapro for over six months. I started at 20mg and it helped a little bit at first. I had energy, but everything else felt the same. Slowly, though, I started feeling numb. My emotions flatlined and I could only tell annoyance and irritation apart from other emotions easily. I had energy but no desire to do anything with it or motivation to get better. Additionally, my sex drive disappeared entirely.

1.7

Patient Review

10/15/2022

Lexapro for Major Depressive Disorder

I found that this drug actually made my initial symptoms worse. I lost all sense of morality and consciousness while on it.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about lexapro

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is Lexapro a strong antidepressant?

"Lexapro clinical studies have shown to be more effective in treating Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder than those who take a placebo."

Answered by AI

How does Lexapro make you feel?

"You may experience side effects such as fatigue, diarrhea, or headaches when you first start taking Lexapro, which is an antidepressant prescription drug used to treat depression and anxiety."

Answered by AI

What does Lexapro do for you?

"Escitalopram is used to treat depression and anxiety. It is an antidepressant that affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression or anxiety."

Answered by AI

Is Lexapro and Xanax the same thing?

"Different prescription drugs that can treat general anxiety as well as anxiety with depression are Lexapro and Xanax. Lexapro is an SSRI drug while Xanax is a benzodiazepine."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Lexapro

Image of UCLA Semel Institute in Los Angeles, United States.

Psilocybin-assisted CBT for Depression

21 - 60
All Sexes
Los Angeles, CA

The primary objectives of this clinical investigation are to (1) determine the acceptability and feasibility of joining psilocybin-assisted therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy (PA-CBT) for patients with depression, (2) optimize CBT to most effectively integrate the psilocybin experience with psychotherapy and (3) examine the clinical benefit of psilocybin as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for major depressive disorder. This study is a randomized, two-arm, fixed dose trial that will test the feasibility, acceptability, and participant and therapist adherence to PA-CBT. Both treatment arms will receive two doses of psilocybin (10mg and then 25mg, separated by one month). In Phase II, participants will be randomized (1:1) to either a 12-session PA-CBT or a 6-session standard psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) condition (3 hours of preparation plus 3 hours of supportive therapy integration following the psilocybin experiences).

Phase 1 & 2
Recruiting

UCLA Semel Institute

Image of University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, United States.

Deaf CBT-TS for Suicide Risk

18+
All Sexes
Rochester, NY

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a short, Zoom-based intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treatment-Seeking for Deaf Individuals (Deaf CBT-TS) can change beliefs about mental health treatment and increase treatment-seeking behaviors in Deaf adults with untreated mental health or alcohol use problems. It will also see if Deaf CBT-TS may reduce suicide risk and explore factors that may increase the effectiveness of Deaf CBT-TS. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does Deaf CBT-TS increase positive beliefs about treatment and increase treatment-seeking behaviors? * Does Deaf CBT-TS increase hope and reduce mental health symptoms, suicide ideation, and alcohol use? * Is Deaf CBT-TS more effective for individuals with less cultural stress compared to those with high levels of cultural stress? * Is Deaf CBT-TS more effective for Deaf individuals in residential areas with more Deaf resources than those with less Deaf resources? Researchers will compare individuals who complete Deaf CBT-TS to those on a waitlist to see if Deaf CBT-TS works to increase positive beliefs about treatment and treatment-seeking behaviors. Participants will: * Complete a baseline assessment including demographic information, measures of hope, general mental health and functioning, alcohol use, suicide ideation, cultural stress, and beliefs about treatment. * Receive Deaf CBT-TS (2 sessions) or be placed on a waitlist with the option of receiving Deaf CBT-Ts after 4 months * Complete two follow-up assessments in 2 and 4 months.

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

University of Rochester Medical Center

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Psychotherapy for Depression

18 - 65
Female
Hamilton, Canada

The RESPOND trial explores the link between early life adversity and later life depressive symptoms. The investigators have designed a new psychological therapy tailored to address the symptoms that can be caused by difficult experiences in early life. These symptoms include low mood, emotional dysregulation, and distressing thoughts and beliefs related to difficult or traumatic experiences. The investigators would like to see if this new therapy helps people feel better. The investigators are also studying the biological changes that can occur as a result of early life adversity, and how this therapy may influence those changes. To do this, The investigators ask questions about participants' physical and mental health and take blood samples.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Sheryl Green, PhD

Image of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, United States.

Stepped Care Treatment for Anxiety

7 - 17
All Sexes
Houston, TX

Childhood anxiety disorders (CAD) are common and impairing. Family based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious in treating CAD. Yet, many children do not receive care due to barriers such as limited provider availably, high treatment costs, and constrained family resources (e.g., time). To combat these barriers, other treatment methods have been developed. The stepped care treatment models maximize resources by providing low-intensity, low-cost interventions as a first time treatment, while stepping up care for those needing more intensive treatment. Specifically, a stepped care model for CAD that begins with a parent-focus intervention has great promise to deliver efficacious and cost-effective treatment without having to engage the child. While stepped care approaches show promise in treating CAD with comparable efficacy to standard CBT, there remains a large research-to-practice gap. The stepped care model for CAD that begins with a parent-focused intervention has yet been explored, and very little is known about intervention mediators that explain mechanisms of change. This research is being done to improve the reach and quality of services using a stepped care model, offering an affordable and practical solution to the widespread gap in youth mental health care.

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

Baylor College of Medicine

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Image of MUSC Brain Stimulation Lab in Charleston, United States.

High-Dose tDCS for Depression

18 - 70
All Sexes
Charleston, SC

In this study, investigators are testing whether a higher dose of a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), can be safely used in people with depression. Participants will come to the Brain Stimulation Lab and receive mild electrical stimulation through electrodes placed on their scalp. The study begins with a safety run-in, where the first few participants will receive stimulation at gradually increasing levels (2, 4, and 6 milliamps) while being closely monitored. If no serious side effects are found, later participants will receive repeated 6 milliamp sessions for 5 days total. Investigators will check skin comfort, mood, and overall tolerability after each session.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

MUSC Brain Stimulation Lab

Clayton Olash, MD

Image of Detroit Recovery Project in Detroit, United States.

Peer-Delivered Behavioral Activation for Depression

18+
All Sexes
Detroit, MI

Low-income individuals have limited access to evidence-based interventions for mental health. Peer recovery specialists, individuals in recovery from mental health and/or substance use problems, have the potential to increase access to evidence-based interventions for individuals from low-resource communities, particularly when trained and supervised in models that are acceptable and feasible in these communities. This study will examine the effectiveness and implementation potential of a peer-delivered evidence-based intervention (Behavioral Activation) among individuals receiving services from a community-based treatment setting providing integrated physical and behavioral healthcare.

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

Detroit Recovery Project

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We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Lexapro, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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