DRUGS belonging to the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) group are employed for the treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms. They act by restoring the balance of serotonin, the mood-influencing biochemical that is predominantly present in brain health cells. However, SSRIs, without exception, consist of their side-effects that can easily be severe. The severity of side-effects spurred medical research and resulted in newer SSRIs, current of which is Lexapro (Escitalopram Oxalate).
Often known as Cipralex in most west European countries, Lexapro continues to be demonstrated to be superior over its predecessor SSRI in terms of promptness of action, lower dosage, and more manageable side-effects if taken faithfully as prescribed from the physician. Despite its benefits of dosage and lower side-effects, by far the most significant benefit of Lexapro is that it acts faster than the rest.
Importance of quick action: Usually, Lexapro begins to show positive effects within 10-to-14 days of the first step of treatment (in some cases, it starts in just a week). Complete healing won't happen within this time span, but the patient makes enough progress to retain confidence inside the medication. This confidence is very important because depression and anxiety are psycho-somatic illnesses requiring this patient to own faith throughout treatment.
Though, as said above, oncoming of improvement inside the patient's condition usually happens within 10-14 days of start of Lexapro treatment, it involves four-to-six weeks for your full effect to get seen. Thereafter, under health advice, therapy may continue for a couple weeks more if warranted or is tapered off (never abruptly stopped, to minimize withdrawal symptoms).
Comparison with other SSRIs: On the flip side, other SSRIs take longer to act; some take four-to-six weeks. For a reasonable comparison, let's take a look at research findings on two sets of patients who didn't respond because of the end of the eighth week of treatment. One set was being administered Lexapro, and the other set Celexa (Citalopram), another SSRI drug. In the end of a typical 24th week, it was found that 55% of Lexapro patients achieved relief, when compared to 51% of Celexa patients.
To put it differently, 4% of Celexa patients needed to be administered Celexa for 24 weeks to achieve the relief-level that Lexapro patients achieved in 24 weeks. The undeniable fact that the Lexapro dosage was half (10-20mg each day) the Celexa dosage (20-40mg every day) is extraneous to the point.
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side effects of Ambien In conclusion, though now we have compared Lexapro with only an additional SSRI, Celexa, you will need to spot that it is the immediate predecessor of Lexapro in the SSRI family. The gap between Lexapro and Celexa in relation to speed of only widens because we Celexa dosage compare Lexapro with SSRIs older than Celexa.