Escitalopram (Lexapro) Nursing Considerations

Escitalopram
Trade Name

Lexapro
Indication

Major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, PCD, PTSD, social phobia
Action

Increases the extracellular levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft by selectively inhibiting its reuptake
Therapeutic Class

Antidepressant
Pharmacologic Class

SSRI
Nursing Considerations

• Contraindicated with MAOI • May cause suicidal thoughts, insomnia, drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea, serotonin syndrome • May cause QT prolongation with certain medications • Assess for sexual dysfunction • May take 4-6 weeks for full affect to take place • Monitor for serotonin syndrome (mental changes, NV, tachycardia, hyperthermia)