Can escitalopram be taken lifelong?

Escitalopram is a commonly used antidepressant. Antidepressants are safe for short-term use. However, prolonged use can cause side effects with previously undetected clinical risks.

Does Lexapro mess up your brain?

“Our findings reveal that SSRIs affect brain connectivity right away, and that these changes encompass the entire brain,” Sacher said. It’s possible, she added, that those changes are a first step in “remodeling” the brain before the drugs improve symptoms, which typically takes a few weeks — if they work at all.

Is it OK to take antidepressants for life?

MYTH: Once on antidepressants, I’ll be on them for life. FACT: Not true. A general rule clinicians often use is that a person should be treated with antidepressants at least one-and-a-half times as long as the duration of the depressive episode before they can begin to be weaned off.

Is it okay to be on antidepressants for years?

Long-term—even indefinite—use of antidepressants may be the best treatment for someone with multiple past episodes of depression, especially if they have a history of suicide attempts or have residual symptoms, like sleep problems, says Dr. Potash. Dr.

Can antidepressants cause long-term damage?

Long-term antidepressant users are risking permanent damage to their bodies, according to leading medical experts. Dr Tony Kendrick, a professor of primary care at the University of Southampton, says more urgent action needs to be taken to encourage and support long-term users to come off the medication.

Is Lexapro linked to dementia?

Patients with major depressive disorder treated with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram experienced significant drops in the levels of 2 neurotoxic compounds that can cause memory loss and dementia.

What happens if you take antidepressants for years?

Those who had used antidepressants for >3 years reported more severe side effects, including “weight gain”, “addiction”, “feeling not like myself ”, “withdrawal symptoms”, and “suicidality”, than those who had been on antidepressants for ≤2 years.

How long should you take Lexapro for anxiety?

Lexapro Dosage If you are experiencing your first episode of depression or anxiety, you may take Lexapro for a defined period—such as between six months and one year. For individuals with a chronic mental health condition, it may be necessary to take Lexapro for an extended period (over many years).

Can you take antidepressants your whole life?