Drug and Medication: Lexapro Essay -- Medication, Drug, Escitalpram

Medication/drug name The brand name is Lexapro, but is known generically as Escitalopram. Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) (Escitalopram, 2011). Lexapro is used to treat: acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depressive Disorder and Acute Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Forest Pharmaceuticals, 2012). Lexapro can treat adults for both MDD and GAD. Lexapro is not FDA-indicted to treat adolescent with GAD, but is approved for adolescents (aged 12-17) with MDD. There are no street names for Lexapro, and stated by Forest Pharmaceuticals, animal studies suggest that abuse danger of this drug is low Type of Substance As previously stated, Lexapro is a Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are by far, the most frequently prescribed antidepressants ("Selective serotonin reuptake," 2013). SSRI’s work by increasing the levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter in the brain (Mandal, n.d.). Serotonin regulates some aspects of the brain including mood, sleep and emotion (Mandal, n.d.). People with depression have low levels of serotonin so the SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin, which means a greater amount of serotonin than usual remains available in the synaptic space between the two nerves (Mandal, n.d.). SSRIs relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, are rather safe and generally cause less side effects than other types of antidepressants ("Selective serotonin reuptake," 2013). Lexapro tablets are film coated, round tablets containing esxitalopram oxalate in strengths equal to 5mg, 10mg, and 20 mg ("Lexapro," 2004). Lexapro is obtainable as tablets or an oral solution, the most frequent use is the tablet. The identification of Lexapro tab... ...r 18). Retrieved from http://www.rxlist.com/lexapro-drug.htm Lexapro. (2004). Formulary, 39(2), 79-80. Lexapro. (2004, April). Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/04/briefing/2004- 4065b1-22-tab11C-Lexapro-Tabs-SLR015.pdf. Lieberman, J. A. (2003). History of the use of antidepressants in primary care. Primary care companion, 5, 6-10. Retrieved from http://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/pccpdf/v05s07/v05s0702.pdf Mandal, A. (n.d.). Ssris how they work. Retrieved from http://www.news- medical.net/health/SSRIs-How-They-Work.aspx Ramachandria, C. T., Subramanyan, N., Bar, K. J., Baker, G., & Yeragani, V. K. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3136031/ Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssris). (2013, July 09). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825