Ratings & Reviews

Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (“SSRI”) that was approved by the FDA in 2002 for the treatment of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.  Lexapro is marketed by Forest Pharmaceutical.

Lexapro’s side effects include insomnia, dry mouth, dizziness, sweating, constipation, fatigue, decreased libido and indigestion.  More serious side effects include unusual or severe mental or mood changes, muscle weakness, fainting and seizures.

In addition to the above side effects, pregnant women who take Lexapro are more likely to give birth to children with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN).  A study conducted in 2005 found that infants who were exposed to SSRIs such as Lexapro during the first trimester had a 60% higher probability of developing heart birth defects.   In 2006, the FDA required Forest Pharmaceutical to add information to Lexapro’s labeling regarding the potential risk of PPHN.  Lexapro has also been linked to other serious birth defects, including atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, valve problems, cranial skull defects, abdominal wall defects, club feet and spina bifida.