Does Lexapro-induced headache go away?
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
Does Lexapro-induced headache go away?
Lexapro-induced headaches usually go away within a few weeks of your treatment. This is one of the common early side effects of Lexapro and other antidepressants.
It’s probably because of the increased excitatory activity in your brain that your body takes some time to adjust to. Once you are adjusted to the medication, these headaches go away on their own.
What does research suggest?
Research suggests that headaches can be a potential side effect of taking Lexapro (escitalopram), although it may not affect everyone. The incidence of Lexapro-induced headaches varies from person to person, and some individuals may experience this side effect more frequently than others.
The exact mechanism responsible for Lexapro-induced headaches is not fully understood. However, it is believed that the medication’s impact on serotonin levels in the brain may contribute to this side effect (1,2).
Lexapro works by increasing the availability of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation. Changes in serotonin levels can sometimes affect blood vessels in the brain, leading to headaches.
One research study examined the association between second-generation antidepressant medications (specifically SSRIs and SNRIs) and the risk of headaches. The results showed that SSRIs were associated with a slightly increased risk of headaches compared to placebo (3).
However, some other antidepressants that affect the levels of other neurotransmitters – dopamine and norepinephrine – can also cause headaches, like Wellbutrin.
What to do to get rid of Lexapro-induced headaches?
You can take OTC painkillers like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Paracetamol, etc to relieve your Lexapro-induced headache. Paracetamol is the safest choice as it’s not associated with gastrointestinal side effects like NSAIDs.
However, NSAIDs work quite well in reducing headaches. You can try and take one in between your meals to help mitigate the gastrointestinal side effects. However, it’s best to talk to your doctor about the headaches if they get too uncomfortable.
Some tips for managing headaches
Some important tips that can help you with your headache include:
- Rest in a quiet and dark environment.
- Apply a cold or warm compress to the affected area.
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation.
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
- Avoid triggers such as certain foods, strong odours, or loud noises.
- Apply gentle pressure or massage to the temples or the base of the skull.
- Practice good posture and avoid slouching.
- Get regular exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Keep a headache diary to identify patterns or triggers.
Final words
To sum up, Lexapro can cause headaches. However, it is important to note that not everyone who takes Lexapro will experience headaches, and the severity and frequency of headaches can vary.
If you are experiencing headaches while taking Lexapro, it is advisable to discuss this side effect with your healthcare provider. They can determine the best course of action, such as adjusting the dosage, trying different medications, or incorporating lifestyle changes to alleviate the symptoms.
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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.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 146570, Escitalopram; [cited 2023 July 4]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Escitalopram
3.-
Telang S, Walton C, Olten B, Bloch MH. Meta-analysis: Second-generation antidepressants and headache. J Affect Disord. 2018 Aug 15;236:60-68. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.04.047. Epub 2018 Apr 9. PMID: 29715610. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29715610/
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