What it means
A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor closely related to citalopramsy-TAL-oh-pramAn SSRI antidepressant used to treat depression.Full entry . It treats major depression in adults and adolescents, and generalized anxiety disorder in adults and in children 7 and older. Side effects include nausea, sleep changes, sweating, tiredness and sexual side effects. Full benefit takes several weeks.
For the nurse
Watch mood and suicidal thoughts closely in the first weeks (boxed warning). Do not combine with MAOIs. Teach the client not to stop suddenly and to report signs of serotonin syndrome.
At a glance
| Drug class | antidepressant (SSRI) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Lexapro |
| Spanish | escitalopram |
| Also written | Lexapro |
Easy to confuse with
citalopram
An SSRI antidepressant used to treat depression.
Related terms
antidepressant
A drug used to treat depression and often anxiety, which works by changing the levels of brain chemicals such as serotonin.
sertraline
An SSRI antidepressant used for depression, anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD.
citalopram
An SSRI antidepressant used to treat depression.