Taking Lexapro May Lead To Suicide

The SSRI Lexapro has been linked with suicide, suicidal ideation and violence in children and teenagers. Lexapro is a treatment for both depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. As a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), Lexapro helps restore the brain's chemical balance by increasing the available supply of serotonin, a substance in the brain believed to influence mood. Currently, more than 19 million American adults suffer from depression and 4 million American adults suffer from GAD. Lexapro, the newest and fastest-growing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, has been prescribed for more than 8 million adults in the United States.

The actions against the drug companies claim that the companies knew--but failed to warn physicians and patients--that a small number of patients will experience a condition called akathisia, an overwhelming physical and mental restlessness, shortly after they begin taking these drugs. Other patients may, after beginning one of these medications, find themselves sufficiently energized to harm themselves, but not yet helped enough by the drug to control their destructive thoughts. Attorneys representing the patients or their survivors have discovered documents the companies hid--documents showing that these risks exist for all three antidepressants.

Adults with Major Depressive Disorder may experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicide ideation and behavior (suicidality), whether or not they are taking antidepressant medications such as Lexapro, and this risk may persist until significant remission occurs. Patients being treated with antidepressants should be observed closely for clinical worsening, suicide and suicidality, especially at the beginning of a course of Lexapro therapy, or at the time of dose changes, either increases or decreases. Lexapro is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), pimozide, or in patients with a hypersensitivity to escitalopram oxalate. As with other SSRIs, caution is indicated in the coadministration of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) with Lexapro. As with other psychotropic drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake, patients should be cautioned regarding the risk of bleeding associated with the concomitant use of Lexapro with NSAIDs, aspirin, or other drugs that affect coagulation. The most common adverse events reported with Lexapro vs placebo (approximately 5% or greater and approximately 2x placebo) were nausea, insomnia, ejaculation disorder, somnolence, increased sweating, fatigue, decreased libido, and anorgasmia.

To find out more, click on this Lexapro Suicide link.