Can Lexapro cause acid reflux?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
Can Lexapro cause acid reflux?
Lexapro can cause acid reflux in some people as an early side effect. Although it is not quite common with Lexapro as compared to other SSRIs, it is a possibility – in fact, a lot of other gastrointestinal side effects are.
Acid reflux is usually coupled with abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating, nausea, and indigestion. These side effects are quite common in people who are new to Lexapro or antidepressants in general.
However, early side effects of Lexapro begin to subside within a few weeks of your treatment. Lexapro tablets are generally safe for people with gluten allergies and can be taken by people who prefer veganism.
What does research suggest?
Several research studies have indicated that acid reflux is one of the most commonly reported gastrointestinal side effects of Lexapro and other SSRIs. Generally, Lexapro is considered the safest SSRI, but it can trigger severe acid reflux in some people.
One meta-analysis indicated that Lexapro is one of the least tolerated SSRIs in terms of GI side effects and this could be a reason for Lexapro discontinuation (1).
However, studies also tell us that these side effects don’t really stay for long and are more common in people who are new to antidepressant treatment. Once the body starts to adjust to the med, it eventually stops affecting the stomach.
Additionally, Lexapro may worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, it may help with GERD in some cases.
How to control Lexapro-induced acid reflux?
There are a few ways through which you can manage acid reflux caused by Lexapro. These include:
OTC acid reducers
You can take over-the-counter acid reducers to help control the excess acid production in your stomach. Common acid reducers are (2):
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Examples include Omeprazole, Esomeprazole, Pantoprazole, etc.
- H2 receptor antagonists. Examples include Cimetidine, Famotidine, etc.
- Antacids. Examples include Milk of Magnesia, Gaviscon, Pepto-Bismol, etc.
Don’t take Lexapro on an empty stomach
If Lexapro causes acid reflux, try taking this medication with food. This way, the food will act as a barrier and protect the lining of your stomach from excessive acid production.
Although you can take Lexapro on an empty stomach, taking it this way can expose the lining of your stomach to the medication. Taking it with food will surely help mitigate acid reflux.
Avoid spicy foods
It’s best to avoid spicy foods or any food that triggers acid reflux. Highly spicy foods are known to irritate your stomach and increase acid production in your stomach in general.
Pairing such foods with an antidepressant that causes acid reflux as a side effect, your symptoms can significantly get worse. This is why it’s best to avoid spicy foods while you’re struggling with Lexapro-induced acid reflux.
Limit the use of alcohol and caffeine
It’s best to cut back on alcohol and caffeine while you’re being treated with Lexapro. Caffeine and alcohol are both heavy on your stomach and increase gastric acid production.
This can increase the intensity of acid reflux caused by Lexapro. Alcohol and antidepressants are not a good pair generally and cause far worse side effects than acid reflux.
Try Probiotics
You can also try and add Probiotics to your diet to help enhance your digestion and overall gut functions. Probiotics are good bacteria, which are an important part of your gut health.
These bacteria can get damaged as a result of high stomach acid and taking Probiotics can help deal with your symptoms.
Avoid citrus juices and carbonated beverages
Citrus fruits or juices in general can increase your stomach acid secretion. This is because all citrus fruits contain Ascorbic acid, which has amazing health benefits, but it can cause acid reflux when taken in higher quantities.
This is why it’s best to limit the intake of citrus juices while taking Lexapro. Carbonated beverages, on the other hand, can also increase stomach acidity and cause gastrointestinal side effects in general.
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References
1.-
Oliva V, Lippi M, Paci R, Del Fabro L, Delvecchio G, Brambilla P, De Ronchi D, Fanelli G, Serretti A. Gastrointestinal side effects associated with antidepressant treatments in patients with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2021 Jul 13;109:110266. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110266. Epub 2021 Feb 5. PMID: 33549697. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33549697/
2.-
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Heartburn Treatment. [Internet]. Silver Spring (MD): U.S. Food and Drug Administration; updated 2021 Nov 19 [cited 2023 Feb 4]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients-drugs/over-counter-otc-heartburn-treatment.
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