FDA approved

Generic for Lexapro®Escitalopram

Starting at $49/mo

Getting psychiatric care for anxiety and depression has never been more convenient. Consult with a healthcare provider through our platform to determine whether a medication like escitalopram could be right for you.

Details

  • Prescribed by a healthcare provider experienced in treating anxiety & depression, if appropriate
  • Unlimited provider messaging
  • Free dosage adjustments

What is escitalopram?

Escitalopram is a prescription drug and an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) that helps balance a chemical naturally found in the brain called serotonin. The Food and Drug Administration first approved escitalopram in 2002 and it is the generic name for the brand name Lexapro®.

Escitalopram uses

Escitalopram is FDA approved for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD).

How escitalopram works

Escitalopram increases levels of a mood-enhancing chemical called serotonin in the brain. Like other SSRIs, citalopram lowers the level of serotonin that neurons reabsorb, which results in more free serotonin in the brain. For some, this can ease their symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Escitalopram drug interactions

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs, such as linezolid, phenelzine, etc), increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, a mild to life-threatening build up of serotonin in the system. Similarly, escitalopram can interact with other agents that affect serotonin in the brain, such as tricyclic antidepressants, certain pain medications, supplements that contain St. John's Wort or tryptophan. Be prepared to share all prescription and over the counter medications, as well as any other products you take, with your provider.

* Only available if prescribed after an online consultation with a healthcare provider.

* Controlled substances such as Xanax and Adderall are not available through our platform.

* This page has been medically reviewed by Sylvia Valadez, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC.

Important Safety Information

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Escitalopram Generic for Lexapro®

How to get escitalopram online with Hers

1. Simple consultation

Complete an online mental health assessment and intake form, then connect with a healthcare provider through our platform.

2. Free delivery

Get escitalopram shipped to you for free, if prescribed.

3. Ongoing support

Enjoy secure, ongoing support 100% online—including refills and unlimited dosage adjustments.


What’s an SSRI?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant that work by increasing levels of a mood-affecting chemical called serotonin in the brain which helps to improve your symptoms. Nice, right?

The science of escitalopram

Your brain naturally produces chemicals that make you feel good, like serotonin. Escitalopram keeps neurons from reabsorbing this chemical so that you have more of it available in your brain. Long story short? This can help to relieve symptoms of depression.

Escitalopram

Good to know

Potential escitalopram side effects

The most common side effects of escitalopram include nausea, sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, feeling anxious, trouble sleeping, sexual problems, sweating, shaking, not feeling hungry, dry mouth, constipation, infection, and yawning. Talk to your provider about side effects and other drug information.

Escitalopram

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Over 75% of Hers customers who checked in with their provider reported improvements in their mental health symptoms.*

* Results vary. Data were self-reported between 11/26/2021 and 08/01/2022 by Hers customers who 1) signed up between 11/04/2021 and 05/04/2022; 2) were prescribed antidepressant medication by a provider after their first consultation on the Hers platform; and 3) had an active subscription for such psychiatric medication through the Hers platform within 90 days after signing up.

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What is Escitalopram?

Escitalopram Side Effects

Frequently asked questions about escitalopram

How long does it take for escitalopram (generic for Lexapro®) to work?

Escitalopram was shown to be effective as a treatment for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in clinical trials lasting 8 weeks. If you are not feeling any improvement in your condition, you should consult your healthcare provider. You should not discontinue your medication until you speak with your healthcare provider.

What are the escitalopram dosage options?

Escitalopram is prescribed in strengths of 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets.

How do I know if I am a good candidate for escitalopram?

You will need to consult with a healthcare provider, who can evaluate you and determine if escitalopram is appropriate.

How do I take escitalopram?

Escitalopram should be taken exactly as directed by the healthcare provider. Escitalopram should not be stopped without first consulting with a healthcare provider, as stopping too quickly could cause serious symptoms.

Who cannot or should not take escitalopram?

Examples include but are not limited to: people with a known allergy to escitalopram, citalopram or any of its active ingredients, people with severe renal impairment, and people on MAOIs.

What are the more serious side effects of escitalopram?

Like other antidepressant medications, escitalopram comes with the chance of some serious adverse effects. Serious side effects may include:
  • increased bleeding
  • low sodium blood levels (headache and weakness)
  • Seizure
  • angle closure glaucoma
  • teeth grinding
  • serotonin syndrome
If you experience any worsening or serious adverse events, seek medical advice.

Can I buy escitalopram online?

Escitalopram may be prescribed, if appropriate, via the hers online psychiatry platform.

Does escitalopram cause weight gain?

Many commonly prescribed antidepressants, such as escitalopram, venlafaxine, paroxetine, fluoxetine and sertraline can lead to an increased risk of weight gain.

Learn more about escitalopram

Important safety information

Learn more about escitalopram

Important safety information

Important Safety Information

Do not take Escitalopram if you:
  • are allergic to Escitalopram, or any of the ingredients in Escitalopram
  • take any medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have stopped taking an MAOI in the last 14 days
  • also take pimozide (Orap) or citalopram (Celexa)
  • are drinking alcohol
  • are using or abusing recreation drugs or prescription medications
Escitalopram can cause serious side effects. Rarely reported side effects include:
  • increased bleeding (gums)
  • low sodium blood levels (symptoms may include headache, weakness and difficulty remembering or concentrating)
  • teeth grinding
  • seizure
  • angle closure glaucoma (symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around eye)
  • serotonin syndrome (symptoms may include shivering, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death)
Before you take Escitalopram, tell your healthcare provider if you:
  • have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
  • have a history of psychiatric or medical problems, including bipolar disorder
  • have taken any medication in the past for your condition, whether effective or not
  • have suffered adverse or side effects from previous medication therapies
  • are receiving any non-medication treatment, such as talk therapy
  • drink alcohol or use/abuse recreational or prescription drugs
  • are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and recreational drugs.
Escitalopram may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way Escitalopram works, causing side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following:
  • aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen)
  • warfarin, and other anticoagulants
  • any other serotonergic medications, migraine medications (triptans), pain medications, antibiotic linezolid, amphetamines
During treatment with this medication, the side effects of this medication may go away as your body adjusts to the medication. The most common side effects of Escitalopram: headache, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, feeling nervous, restless, fatigued, sleepy or having trouble sleeping (insomnia). Sexual side effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay often do not diminish over time.
Escitalopram is a prescription medicine used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). (May also be helpful when prescribed “off-label” for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.)
If you miss a dose of Escitalopram, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.
Do not abruptly stop taking Escitalopram even when you feel better. Abruptly stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms including: vomiting, irritability, dizziness, headaches, sensation of tingling skin, or nightmares.
Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.
Patients, their families, and caregivers should be alert to the emergence of anxiety, restlessness, irritability, aggressiveness and insomnia. If these symptoms emerge, they should be reported to the patient’s prescriber or healthcare professional. All patients being treated with antidepressants for any indication should watch for and notify their healthcare provider for worsening symptoms, suicidality and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment.
If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.
If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
  • Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
  • Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
  • Throw away the container in your trash at home; and
  • Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.
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* Controlled substances, including amphetamines (such as Adderall) or benzodiazepines (such as Xanax and Valium) are not available through our platform.