Can Lexapro get you high?
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 get you high?
Lexapro usually does not get you high. This antidepressant is not a scheduled drug and it does not have a high potential for addiction or abuse.
If we talk about standard therapeutic doses of Lexapro, most people are at 10-20 mg and they don’t get ‘high’ on it. Lexapro increases the amount of serotonin in your brain to counteract symptoms associated with depression (1).
This property of Lexapro can make people take this antidepressant more than their doctor prescribed – as they wish to achieve high excitatory activity in their brain. However, that doesn’t lead to euphoria in most cases.
In fact, taking too much Lexapro can be your biggest nightmare and a high amount of serotonin does not get you high – but it can lead to a rare, but serious condition known as serotonin syndrome (2,3).
Moderately high doses on a daily basis can make some people dependent on Lexapro. However, the way it makes you feel depends on your health condition as well.
People who have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can experience episodes of mania if they take a high dose of Lexapro (4).
This is why you need to make sure that you only take as much Lexapro as your doctor has asked you to. It is not something that you can get high on, as Lexapro is not a controlled substance or a narcotic.
How is Lexapro different from drugs that get you high?
Lexapro is quite different from drugs that get you high. As stated earlier, Lexapro is an antidepressant which belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is commonly used to treat depression and anxiety disorders (1).
Unlike drugs that get you high, such as recreational drugs or substances like marijuana, cocaine, or ecstasy, Lexapro works in a different way and does not produce a euphoric or altered state of mind. Here are some key points that differentiate Lexapro from drugs that get you high:
Mode of action
Lexapro acts by increasing the levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin in the brain. Serotonin helps regulate mood, emotions, and overall mental well-being. By balancing serotonin levels, Lexapro can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety (1).
Drugs that get you high, on the other hand, typically affect various neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain to induce altered states of consciousness (5,6).
Medical purpose
Lexapro is prescribed by healthcare professionals to treat diagnosed conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders. It is meant to help individuals who are experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties (1).
Drugs that get you high are often used recreationally or non-medically for their psychoactive effects, seeking euphoria or altered states of consciousness (5).
Controlled use
Lexapro is prescribed in specific doses and should be taken as directed by a healthcare professional. The dosage and duration of treatment are determined based on an individual’s specific condition and needs (1).
Drugs that get you high are often used outside of medical supervision, with uncertain dosage and potential for abuse, which can lead to harmful effects and addiction (5).
Side effects
While Lexapro may have potential side effects, such as nausea, headache, or drowsiness, they are generally mild and temporary (1).
Drugs that get you high often carry significant risks and side effects that can be harmful to physical and mental health, including addiction, psychosis, cardiovascular problems, and even overdose (5).
Can Lexapro cause psychological side effects?
Lexapro is associated with some psychological side effects that have been reported by some individuals taking this antidepressant. These include (5):
- Emotional changes: Some people may experience changes in their emotions, such as feeling more anxious, irritable, or restless. On the other hand, Lexapro can also help alleviate these symptoms in many cases.
- Sleep disturbances: A small number of individuals may experience changes in their sleep patterns, including difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or excessive sleepiness (somnolence) or laziness. These effects are usually temporary and tend to improve over time (7).
- Sexual side effects: In some cases, Lexapro can affect sexual desire or performance. It may cause decreased libido, difficulty in achieving orgasm, or erectile dysfunction in men. These side effects can also trigger mood disturbances, as diminished sexual performance can be frustrating (8).
It’s important to note that these potential side effects are not experienced by everyone taking Lexapro, and they are generally outweighed by the benefits of the medication in treating depression and anxiety disorders.
It’s always recommended to discuss any concerns or unusual experiences with your healthcare provider, as they can provide guidance and make adjustments if necessary.
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References
1.-
Landy K, Rosani A, Estevez R. Escitalopram. 2022 Oct 24. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32491666. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557734
2.-
Huska MT, Catalano G, Catalano MC. Serotonin syndrome associated with the use of escitalopram. CNS Spectr. 2007 Apr;12(4):270-4. doi: 10.1017/s1092852900021027. PMID: 17426664. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17426664/
3.-
Simon LV, Keenaghan M. Serotonin Syndrome. 2022 Jul 19. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 29493999. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482377
4.-
Parker S, Nagarsekar BB. Escitalopram induced mania. Indian J Psychiatry. 2007 Apr;49(2):121-2. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.33260. PMID: 20711395; PMCID: PMC2917077. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2917077/
5.-
Aro HJ, Hussain A, Bobrin BD. Controlled Substances. 2023 Apr 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32119270. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554383
6.-
Albertson TE. Recreational drugs of abuse. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2014 Feb;46(1):1-2. doi: 10.1007/s12016-013-8382-y. PMID: 23832389. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23832389/
7.-
Wichniak A, Wierzbicka A, Walęcka M, Jernajczyk W. Effects of Antidepressants on Sleep. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2017 Aug 9;19(9):63. doi: 10.1007/s11920-017-0816-4. PMID: 28791566; PMCID: PMC5548844. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5548844/
8.-
Jing E, Straw-Wilson K. Sexual dysfunction in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and potential solutions: A narrative literature review. Ment Health Clin. 2016 Jun 29;6(4):191-196. doi: 10.9740/mhc.2016.07.191. PMID: 29955469; PMCID: PMC6007725. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007725/
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