Lexapro is one of major Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Lexapro sometimes also prescribed to adults with ADHD. Lexapro is given once daily, and it takes about a week for the level to stabilize in the blood after starting the antidepressant.
Lexapro works by increasing the availability of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, which influences mood, sleep, and appetite. Problems with serotonin are associated with depressed mood, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Although Lexapro claimed to have milder side effects, Lexapro still associated with a variety of side effects and safety issues. Some people are very sensitive to side effects at even the lowest dosages.
Lexapro side effects may include headaches, sleep difficulty, nausea, nervousness, diarrhea, and sexual dysfunction. Lexapro is not recommended for use during pregnancy, because it may cause birth defects. Several Lexapro birth defects include heart defects, persistent pulmonary hypertension, tricuspid valve, and aortic stenosis.