Lexapro, with the active ingredient escitalopram, is an antidepressant that treats major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. With a dosage of between 10g and 20mg, some patients may experience an overdose, although it is uncommon. Overdose symptoms may include blurry vision, fast pounding heart rate, and confusion.1
It is important to discuss the risk of overdose on Lexapro with your prescriber. If you’re considering Lexapro or want to discuss your current medication treatment with a provider, online psychiatry platforms such as Talkiatry and Brightside Health can connect you with a provider quickly. They can answer any questions you have about your medication and provide new prescriptions as appropriate.
Can You Overdose on Lexapro?
Overdosing is when you take more than the recommended dose of medication, including antidepressants such as Lexapro. Lexapro is an antidepressant in the SSRI drug class which treat major depressive disorders and anxiety—medications in this class work by interacting with serotonin, which regulates mood, appetite, and memory.
Depending on your condition, the prescribed dosage starts from 10mg per day, and a qualified medical provider may adjust your dosage depending on how your body responds to the treatment. The amount of Lexapro that can cause symptoms of an antidepressant overdose can vary.
You can suffer an overdose of Lexapro by taking more than prescribed by the healthcare provider or by combining it with other medication or alcohol. Although an overdose may be fatal, people usually recover from a Lexapro overdose.
When Should You Seek Immediate Help for a Lexapro Overdose?
Overdose on Lexapro happens when you take more than the doctor’s prescription. The body starts reacting, and you may have overdose symptoms such as blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and increased heart rate. You should seek medical care immediately as soon you start experiencing these overdose symptoms.
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Symptoms of a Lexapro Overdose
Overdose depends on factors such as your weight, how much of the medication you took, the duration you have been taking the medication, and whether you took Lexapro in combination with other medication or alcohol. Other health factors like liver and kidney issues may also contribute to an overdose.
Regular doses of Lexapro cause side effects, and some symptoms may signify an overdose. Some signs of an overdose include convulsions, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. You may start experiencing delayed side effects such as seizures, serotonin syndromes, and cardiovascular toxicity. The timeframe for the side effects is dependent on the Lexapro amount taken and the medical history of the patient and may vary between a few hours and days.
Lexapro overdose symptoms include: 2
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Fever
- Convulsions
- Slow and fast heart rates
- Coma
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
Serious symptoms of Lexapro overdose include:
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Cardiovascular toxicity
- Suicidal thoughts
- Acute renal failure
What Can Cause a Lexapro Overdose?
Taking more than the recommended amount of Lexapro, or having a condition or drug interaction that augments the action of Lexapro can lead to overdose symptoms. Lexapro overdose fatal effects may increase, and therefore, you should seek medical care immediately once you realize that you might have overdosed on Lexapro.
Taking More Than the Prescribed Dosage
A qualified healthcare provider determines Lexapro doses depending on your mental health issue. The doctor may adjust the dose upwards or downwards while monitoring your symptoms and side effects.
Taking Lexapro with Other Substances
Taking Lexapro with other substances increases the risk of an overdose. Therefore, any healthcare provider will ask a few questions to understand if you are taking any other medication before they prescribe Lexapro. Taking some medication with Lexapro may affect its functioning leading to adverse side effects and conditions such as serotonin syndrome.
Substances that can increase the risk of a Lexapro overdose when used together include:
- Alcohol: Taking Lexapro and alcohol together can lead to Lexapro overdose.
- Cough medication: Although most cough medications are available over the counter. It is essential to inform your doctor before you buy any of these medications to reduce overdose risks.
- Cocaine: Taking cocaine and Lexapro medication may cause adverse side effects.
Taking Lexapro with Other Medications
Taking Lexapro with other medications may increase the risk of overdose. This is because the medication may affect how Lexapro works in the body, either by decreasing its efficiency or affecting its absorption or elimination. Therefore, as you talk to your provider, let them know about any previous or current medication you may have, which may help reduce these risks.
Here are some medications that can increase the risk of Lexapro overdose:3
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)*: These are used to treat psychiatric disorders, which, when used with Lexapro, may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
- Celexa (Citalopram)**: This is an antidepressant used to treat depression, and combined with Lexapro may cause serotonin syndrome.
- Pimozide: This increases the risk of heart problems when used together with Lexapro.
*Medications within the MAOI drug class have a black box warning. These are the most serious type of warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). MAOIs can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults. Regardless of age, you should talk with your doctor about severe risks with MAOIs before starting treatment.
**This medication has a black box warning, the most serious kind of warning from the FDA for a risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain people. You should talk with your doctor about these risks before starting this medication.
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Can a Lexapro Overdose Cause Complications?
You can have a Lexapro 40 mg overdose, while others have a Lexapro overdose 100 mg. In clinical trials, some patients got an overdose after taking 600mg of Lexapro dosage.4 Lexapro overdose has not been associated with fatalities, and most people who overdose fully recover without complications as long as they follow the doctor’s advice.
Whether you’ve also ingested other medications, recreational or illicit drugs, or alcohol, you should seek medical care immediately you start experiencing overdose symptoms such as convulsions, vomiting, or dizziness. Getting medical attention as soon as you experience these symptoms may reduce the chances of suffering from delayed symptoms such as seizures and ECG changes.
Serotonin Syndrome
Overdosing with Lexapro may lead to an overabundance of serotonin in the system, a condition that is a severe side effect of Lexapro. It is a potentially life-threatening condition reported by using SNRIs and SSRIs. Lexapro usage alone can cause the syndrome. However, combining triptans, St. John’s wort, and tricyclic antidepressants increase the risks.4 The duration varies between 24 hours to weeks, depending on how soon the medication used on the patient is discontinued.
Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Fast heart rate
- Muscle spasms
- Overactive reflexes
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Coma
- Dizziness
Lexapro Overdose Symptoms Vs. Side Effects
Lexapro may cause side effects at safe doses, which are usually mild and may sometimes resolve in a few weeks. A doctor will help adjust the dose to one causing reduced or no side effects. When compared to side effects, overdose symptoms last longer and can be fatal if left untreated.
Common Side Effects of Lexapro
Clinical doses of Lexapro can improve depression and anxiety symptoms, yet common side effects can still occur for some people and are not a sign of an overdose. These side effects are mild and usually go away after a few weeks, and the doctor may adjust your dose if the side effects affect your health or quality of life. However, even with dose reductions, a doctor will continue to monitor you and look out for any depression symptoms.
Common side effects of Lexapro include:
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Sexual problems in males and females
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Increased sweating
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Flu-like symptoms
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Seeking Professional Help for a Lexapro Overdose
What if you overdose on Lexapro? Understanding the symptoms of an overdose helps you know when to act. Therefore, talk to your healthcare provider, who will guide you on what to do if you shave any signs of an overdose. You can also call 911 for immediate help or contact the Poison control center (1-800-222-1222), and they will connect you to a local poison center.
Here is information important to share when seeking treatment for a Lexapro overdose:
- Current signs and symptoms
- When you last took Lexapro
- How much you took
- Regular dosage amount
- Other medications
- Duration you have taken the medication
Lexapro Overdose Treatment
Once you call poison control on their toll-free number, they will assess you over the phone, and if severe, the patient goes into an emergency room immediately. The treatment is dependent on the severity of the overdose.
Emergency treatment for an overdose on Lexapro might include:
- Monitor cardiac rhythm and vital signs
- Ensure a clear airway
- Gastric evacuation
- Symptomatic and supportive care
Next Steps After an Overdose
Overdosing could be intentional or unintentional. A safe dosage varies from person to person; however, to prevent future overdose if you continue to take Lexapro, be sure to stick to the doctor’s prescription. Do not try to compensate for missed doses and for any increase or decrease in the dosage; speak to your doctor first. Those who intentionally adjusted their doses, causing an overdose, should speak to their doctor, who will assess their condition to determine the treatment regime to give, which might also include therapy.
If the Overdose on Lexapro Was Unintentional
To recover from an unintentional Lexapro overdose, stay connected with your doctor to assess your condition and make any dose adjustments if needed. If the overdose was unintentional, you might continue taking Lexapro, although under close supervision by your doctor. Always let them know of any medication or supplements you might be taking to reduce a repeat of the overdose.
Next steps to consider after an unintentional Lexapro overdose include:
- Take medication as prescribed: This may reduce overdose instances as the doctor prescribes medication according to your condition and tolerance.
- Consult with your psychiatrist: Consult your psychiatrist regarding your dosage and medication interactions to prevent accidental overdose again.
- Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medication: Always inform your doctor when you have another prescription.
If the Overdose on Lexapro Was Intentional
If the overdose was intentional, in some cases, this may point out to a risk of suicide or self-harm. For such a patient, taking Lexapro may be discontinued, and alternative solutions may be given. The medication can also be given under close supervision, where the patient only gets the dose for that day and has no access to the primary dose. Some safe treatment alternatives exist, such as therapy for such patients.
Next steps to consider after an intentional Lexapro overdose include:
- Seek psychotherapy: Therapy helps people talk and open up about their feelings. It has helped treat symptoms that may trigger suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviors.
- Consult your psychiatrist: Constantly involve your doctor, who will advise whether a different medication may be a better fit, dose adjustments, and time to take the dosage.
- Avoiding substance use/abuse: Avoid intake of alcohol and other drugs that may affect the function of the medication.
In My Experience
In my experience, Lexapro overdose is treatable and avoidable in most cases. Once you are on the medication, follow the directions and do not make any adjustments to the medication unless directed by your health care professional. Always inform the doctor about any changes in your body before introducing any new medication. A doctor knows what adjustments to make to your medication. If you have experienced an overdose before, remember to follow the doctor’s prescription and to understand the health and medications overdose management and the symptoms of Lexapro overdose.
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Food and drug administration. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021323s047lbl.pdf
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U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Escitalopram: Medlineplus Drug Information. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603005.html
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National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). DailyMed – LEXAPRO- escitalopram tablet, film coated LEXAPRO- escitalopram solution. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm
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GK, van G. F. W. I. M. I. (n.d.). Clinical and ECG effects of escitalopram overdose. Annals of emergency medicine. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19556032/
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For Further Reading
- Lexapro (Escitalopram) Withdrawal: Symptoms, Duration, & How to Cope
- Lexapro For Anxiety: Effectiveness, Dosage, & More
- Lexapro (Escitalopram): Drug Uses, Warnings, Dosage, & More
- Lexapro Insomnia: What You Need to Know
- Paxil vs Lexapro: Differences, Similarities, & Which is Best For You
- How Long Does it Take for Lexapro to Work?
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