Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name 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)