Lexapro can you overdose

In rare cases, taking Lexapro can also trigger mania, which means you will experience unreasonably high spirits and excess energy. A massive overdose of Lexapro can be fatal. Typical symptoms of a Lexapro overdose include:. You should consult your physician before stopping your medication.

As Lexapro is similar to other anti-depressants such as Paxil , Prozac, and Zoloft, the withdrawal symptoms from these drugs may be worse than the side effects you are experiencing from the drug itself. If you believe you have been injured by Lexapro side effects you should speak with a good products liability attorney who is experienced in working with victims of unsafe drugs.

Your legal rights depend upon your contacting a personal injury attorney within a timely manner after the discovery that you are suffering from Lexapro side effects.

You may be able to bring suit with the aid of an attorney, or sue with a group of other victims as part of a class action lawsuit.

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Jose Rivera. This substance helps maintain mental balance. Escitalopram oral tablet may cause sleepiness and tiredness. It can also cause other side effects. The more common adult side effects for this drug are slightly different from the more common side effects for children. If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Escitalopram oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins , or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Escitalopram can thin your blood a little. If you take escitalopram with blood thinners, your risk of bleeding is increased.

Examples of blood thinning drugs include:. Certain migraine drugs called triptans may work similarly to escitalopram. Taking them with escitalopram could increase your risk of side effects. Examples of migraine drugs include:. Certain psychiatric drugs may work similarly to escitalopram.

Taking them together may increase your risk of side effects. Examples of these drugs include:. Taking these drugs with escitalopram may increase levels of escitalopram in your body and increase your risk of side effects.

An example of these drugs includes:. Certain water pills can decrease sodium levels in your body. Escitalopram may also decrease sodium. Taking water pills with these drugs may increase your risk of low sodium levels. Taking these drugs with escitalopram may increase your risk of serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal. If you take any of these drugs, your doctor will start you on a lowered dosage of escitalopram and monitor you for signs of serotonin syndrome.

Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, muscle twitches, and confusion. Serotonergic drugs include:. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Whether or not a person has accidentally or intentionally overdosed, the symptoms will typically be mild and non-specific in the first hour or two and progressively worsen over time.

The first signs of antidepressant overdose are usually symptoms that can all be attributed to other causes, including:. One of the earliest red flags may be a rapid and irregular heartbeat tachycardia , a condition not commonly seen in young people.

If an overdose is suspected, the combination of these symptoms warrants a call to or an immediate visit to the emergency room. As the more toxic effects emerge, symptoms may include:.

Seizures, cardiac dysrhythmia, respiratory distress, and coma are life-threatening complications. Intravenous sodium bicarbonate and other medications may also be prescribed to counteract the effects of the drug, and the person will also be kept hydrated with intravenous fluids. If there are breathing difficulties, the person may need mechanical ventilation. The heart will be monitored and treatment provided for any cardiac problems. If there are seizures, drugs will be given to control them.

Before being released, a psychiatrist will evaluate the person and determine whether further interventions are necessary, including:. Antidepressants are more likely to reduce suicide risk in the long run by improving mood, but in some cases, they may increase suicidal thoughts or behavior , particularly in children, teenagers, and young adults under 25, and especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed.

The FDA requires that all antidepressants carry black box warnings , which are the strictest warnings for prescriptions. A study conducted in by the Centre for Suicide Research in Oxford, England aimed to identify which antidepressant drugs were more closely linked to suicide or attempted suicide. What they found was that TCAs had the overall highest toxicity and the highest rate of fatality compared to SSRIs and all other classes of antidepressants.

Never stop taking antidepressants suddenly; always talk with your doctor before making changes with your medication. Your doctor will advise you how best to discontinue your medication and whether you should stop your antidepressant gradually.

Antidepressants can be a life-restoring therapy, but you should be aware of the risks so you can prevent overdoses and get treatment immediately if you recognize the signs. If you or a loved one is taking an antidepressant, call your doctor or get emergency help if the depression seems to be getting worse or is causing suicidal thoughts that may lead to an overdose.

If you suspect an overdose has occurred, seek emergency medical care right away. Certain types of antidepressants, especially MAOIs , may not cause severe symptoms for up to 24 hours after overdosing.

In the United States, you can contact the National Capital Poison Center at and await further instructions. If symptoms become severe, call your local emergency services.

Try to stay calm and keep your body cool while you wait for emergency personnel to arrive. In the case of an overdose, emergency personnel will transport you to the hospital or emergency room.

You may be given activated charcoal while en route. This can help absorb the medication and alleviate some of your symptoms. When you arrive at the hospital or emergency room, your doctor may pump your stomach to remove any remaining medication. Intravenous IV fluids may also be necessary to replenish essential nutrients and prevent dehydration. Antidepressants should only be taken under medical supervision. Using antidepressants without a prescription or mixing them with other drugs can be extremely dangerous.

If you do choose to use antidepressants recreationally or mix them with other recreational substances, keep your doctor informed. They can help you understand your individual risk of interaction and overdose, as well as watch for any changes to your overall health. Sexual side effects, like erectile dysfunction, are common complaints of taking antidepressants. Most prescription antidepressants are part of a drug….