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What Causes Lightheaded And Nausea After Taking Lexapro?

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Posted on Sat, 28 Mar 2015
Question: My daughter just started taking lexapro and was just taken off Zoloft. She is feeling light headed and nauseated. Can she take zofran safely?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes Zofran can be given for Escitalopram induced nausea.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

Lexapro is Escitalopram and when any individual start taking the drug they may suffer slight nausea and some times vomiting. In some individuals such side effects occur in severity. To prevent these side effects drug should be started in low possible doses and then doses should in upped gradually after a week of therapy.

Zofran is Ondansetron and the drug can prove useful in SSRI or Escitalopram induced nausea. If you have prescription of that drug then you can give that drug to her without any fear. If nausea persist then consult her doctor for reduction of dose of drug for at least a week. In a week time she would develop tolerance to side effect of the drug.

Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (10 minutes later)
She was taken off the Zoloft abruptly and it was not tapered. Could she be having side effects or withdrawals from it?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Yes Zofran can help in nausea of withdrawal too

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question

Yes, both Sertraline and Escitalopram are SSRI drugs. Even with them mild withdrawal can occur on discontinuing the doses of drug abruptly. Withdrawal can present with nausea, dizziness also. This could aggravate Escitalopram induced nausea also. Even it that case Zofran can help to reduce the nausea.

Thanks, still have more doubts please ask again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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What Causes Lightheaded And Nausea After Taking Lexapro?

Brief Answer: Yes Zofran can be given for Escitalopram induced nausea. Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries Lexapro is Escitalopram and when any individual start taking the drug they may suffer slight nausea and some times vomiting. In some individuals such side effects occur in severity. To prevent these side effects drug should be started in low possible doses and then doses should in upped gradually after a week of therapy. Zofran is Ondansetron and the drug can prove useful in SSRI or Escitalopram induced nausea. If you have prescription of that drug then you can give that drug to her without any fear. If nausea persist then consult her doctor for reduction of dose of drug for at least a week. In a week time she would develop tolerance to side effect of the drug. Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.