Lexipro the Depression Treatment

Lexipro is widely used to treat depression because of its effectiveness in controlling the symptoms and due to its minimal side effects. In controlled studies, Lexipro significantly improved the symptoms of depression for many patients beginning at week 1 or 2 (full antidepressant effect may take 4 to 6 weeks). Furtehr in clinical trials, the number of people who stopped taking their medicine due to side effects was about the same for people taking Lexipro at 10 mg per day as it was for placebo.

Lexipro can be used safely and effectively in patients who have previously used other depression medicines. In one study of patients with depression, patients who started on one medicine but did not respond to it were switched to Lexipro. In this study, patients were able to be quickly and safely switched to Lexipro. A high percentage of patients who switched to Lexipro responded to treatment.

Depression can be a life long medical condition that may require continuous long-term treatment. If your symptoms are currently controlled by medicine and then you stop taking it for a few days, you run the risk of a relapse. It is important to take your medicine as long as your healthcare professional advises, even if you start feeling better; otherwise your depression or anxiety could return or worsen.