Is it safe to stay on Lexapro long term?

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Overview

Lexapro is the brand name of the drug escitalopram. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These types of drugs can help with depression and anxiety symptoms by restoring the balance of serotonin in the brain.

Healthcare professionals often prescribe Lexapro as a long-term treatment option. However, the duration can vary for each person.

Can you stay on Lexapro forever?

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), taking Lexapro (escitalopram) to treat depression for prolonged periods of time is considered safe. There are currently no known problems linked to the long-term use of Lexapro.

However, some reports suggest that taking escitalopram long term may cause some side effects, such as increasing the levels of carcinoembryonic antigen in your blood. This protein is found in the blood of people who may have cancer. It’s thought that this may increase the risk of developing cancer, but more research is needed to confirm this.

What are the benefits of staying on Lexapro long term?

One of the primary benefits of Lexapro is that it can help relieve or manage anxiety and depression by increasing the levels of serotonin in your brain. It can also help manage symptoms of depression, such as:

• hopelessness
• difficulty sleeping or staying awake
• loss of interest in everyday activities
• low energy and fatigue
• muscle tension
• irritability
• excessive anxiety
• difficulty concentrating

Lexapro may also help people manage other health conditions when doctors prescribe it as an off-label medication, including:

• panic disorder
• obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• eating disorders

If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day at 988.
• Text “HOME” to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the U.S.? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency number if you feel it’s an emergency.

While you wait for help to arrive, stay with someone and remove any weapons or substances that can cause harm. You are not alone.

What are the risk factors for staying on Lexapro long term?

Taking Lexapro is generally safe. However, it is not risk-free. This medication may interact with certain drugs, such as cold medications and cough suppressants. This may cause a significant increase in serotonin, which can lead to serotonin syndrome, a potentially life threatening reaction.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include:

• tachycardia, a heart rate over 100 beats per minute
• dizziness
• hypertension
• flushing
• sweating
• eye pupils dilation

Lexapro may also decrease your platelet counts. Platelets help your blood to form clots, which helps stop bleeding. A low platelet count can increase the chance of severe bleeding.

It’s important to let your doctor know if you have a health condition that can cause severe bleeding, such as a blood clot disorder. Also, let your doctor know if you’re taking medications that can increase your risk of bleeding, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Other side effects you may experience when taking Lexapro may include:

• nervousness
• headaches
• restlessness and difficulty sleeping
• fatigue
• dry mouth
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• increased sweating
• decreased libido

In some rare cases, Lexapro may cause severe side effects such as seizures and even coma.

There is also some evidence that taking Lexapro long term may cause an increase in carcinoembryonic antigen levels in the blood. This is a protein that is found in the blood of people who may have cancer. It’s thought that this may increase the risk of developing cancer in the future. The same evidence noted that after stopping Lexapro, carcinoembryonic antigen levels decreased.

However, more research is needed to confirm if Lexapro may increase the risk of cancer.

Alternative treatment options

Lexapro is not the only treatment available for depression. Several alternative options are available, such as:

Medication

There are various types of antidepressant medications that you can take that may help ease depression symptoms, such as:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):

• citalopram (Celexa)
• paroxetine (Paxil)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• sertraline (Zoloft)

Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs):

• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
• venlafaxine (Effexor)

Tricyclic antidepressants: 

• amitriptyline (Elavil)
• desipramine (Norpramin)
• imipramine (Tofranil)
• protriptyline (Vivactil)

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the Optum Perks free Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.

Talk therapy

Talk therapy and lifestyle changes can also be important in treating depression. This may include a combination of therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT).

These types of talk therapy aim to modify certain behaviors and thinking patterns that can lead to anxiety and depression.

During therapy, the specialists may also teach you mindful exercises that can help you manage and reduce your stress levels and anxiety. This may help reduce the chance that depression will reoccur.

Lifestyle measures

Doctors may recommend lifestyle changes to help naturally improve your anxiety and depression. These may include:

• eating a balanced diet
• getting enough sleep, at least 7 hours for adults
• engaging in regular physical activities
• practicing mindful activities, such as medication and breathing exercises
• engaging in activities that lower your stress levels, such as listening to music, reading, or spending time on hobbies you enjoy

If your depression symptoms are affecting your daily life, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can work with you to put together a suitable treatment plan.

Summary

Lexapro (escitalopram) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication that doctors often prescribe for the long-term treatment of anxiety and depression. This medication is generally considered safe for prolonged use.

However, taking Lexapro may cause some side effects that vary from mild to severe. It can also interact with certain medications, which may cause severe complications such as serotonin syndrome, a life threatening condition.

To reduce the risk of potentially serious side effects of Lexapro, be sure to tell your doctor about any health conditions you have as well as any medications you’re taking.