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Escitalopram (Lexapro) for Teens: The Ultimate Guide

Author:
Hayley Snelling
Hayley Snelling
B.S. Psychology
Editor:
Emma Loker
Emma Loker
B.S.
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If you’re a teen struggling with anxiety or depression, finding the right treatment can feel overwhelming. If you’re a parent, you want to help them make the best decisions for their health, but the internet can be full of conflicting advice. How are you supposed to know what to do? 

That’s why we’ve made this guide to Lexapro for teenagers: To give you clear, reliable, and practical information to guide you through your treatment options.

Escitalopram, more commonly known by its brand name Lexapro, is a frequently prescribed antidepressant for adolescents, but is it safe? How does it work? And what should you keep an eye out for when taking it? 

This parents guide to Lexapro for teens is created to answer those questions and many more. Whether you are a teen or a parent of one and are looking into Lexapro as a treatment option, this guide is here to inform and support you. 

Escitalopram (Lexapro) for Teens: The Ultimate Guide

What Is Lexapro?

Escitalopram, also known by its brand name Lexapro, is a type of antidepressant medication called an SSRI – a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It works by balancing a particular brain chemical called serotonin, which affects how you feel, as well as your sleep and your appetite. 

People who have depression or anxiety may have lower levels of serotonin in their brains, which is why balancing the levels can help you feel better.1 Lexapro is designed to help regulate your mood and reduce your symptoms of anxiety and depression.

What Does It Treat in Teens?

Adolescents can struggle with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, just as adults do. In fact, one in five teens face mental health challenges.2 When mental health struggles start affecting your daily life, relationships, or school performance, medication can be a great option to help manage symptoms. 

Lexapro is used to treat major depressive disorder in teens aged between 12 and 17 years, as well as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in those above 7 years of age.3,4 This is why you might hear teen anxiety and Lexapro mentioned together in conversations. You can also take Lexapro for social anxiety in teens, as it is commonly prescribed for a range of anxiety conditions in adolescents.5

Is Lexapro Safe for Teens to Take?

If you are looking into escitalopram teen depression treatment, you probably have lots of questions swirling around in your head – and that’s before you even take it! One major question that comes up is whether it is safe for teens to take. We’re going to answer that question for you now.

FDA Approval

Medication is generally safe to take so long as you follow the instructions you’ve been given by your doctor. Lexapro is FDA approved for depression in those aged over 12 years, and also for treating GAD in those aged over 7 years.4 

FDA approval means that the medication has been trialed and tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has met certain quality, safety, and effectiveness standards in this group of people for this particular condition. This means that Lexapro is considered to be a safe medication to use in teens for treating depression and GAD. 

Although Lexapro has only been FDA approved for depression and GAD treatment in teens, it doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t safe or effective to take for other conditions. When companies create new medications, they have to prove to the FDA that it is safe and effective for treating a particular condition in a specific group of people, such as children with OCD. 

Once the medication has been approved, it can also be prescribed for a different use, known as “off-label” treatment. Because the process for FDA approval is expensive, drug companies don’t always seek FDA approval for multiple uses of the same drug, but there may be studies showing the drug is safe and effective for treating other conditions.

Lexapro may be used “off-label” to treat other conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), panic disorder, social anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).6 Research shows that escitalopram can be safe and very effective at treating OCD and social anxiety disorder in teens.7,8

Suicidal Thinking and Behavior in Teens Taking Escitalopram

Antidepressant medications such as SSRIs come with a warning aimed at those aged 24 years or under. This warning states that antidepressants, including Lexapro, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and young adults, and that patients taking this medication should be aware of this.4 

If you are starting this medication, and you begin having thoughts of suicide, it’s important to seek help immediately from your doctor or a mental health professional so that you can get the support you need. 

Although this warning can sound worrying, especially if you are seeing it for the first time, remember that you, your doctor, and your parents or caregivers will have weighed up the risks and benefits of taking this medication before deciding to try it. 

What Happens When You Start Lexapro?

When you first start taking Lexapro, you may experience some side effects in the first week. All medications come with potential side effects, and it’s good to be aware of what to expect, especially as one in ten adolescents tends to feel the side effects when starting an SSRI.9

Lexapro Side Effects in Teens

Potential common side effects of taking Lexapro can include:4

  • Sleep problems
  • Sweating
  • Tiredness
  • Weight changes
  • Nausea
  • Sleepiness
  • Changes in your sexual function

The potential connection between Lexapro and weight gain in teenagers, or weight loss, means that your weight should be monitored during treatment to see the effect that it is having. There is also the small potential for suicidal thoughts as mentioned in the safety section, which is a less common side effect to be aware of. If you start having thoughts of suicide, seek help immediately from your doctor. 

It can be useful to keep track of any side effects you have in a notebook or a phone app so that you can discuss them with your doctor and find ways to manage them. They may suggest taking your medication at night if it makes you feel sleepy or tired, or simple changes like wearing loose light clothing if you find you are sweating more than usual. 

Remember that side effects are temporary and will fade within a week or two of taking Lexapro regularly. 

How Long Does Lexapro Take for Teens to Work?

Lexapro takes a short while to build up in your system and reach a steady state level in your brain and body, usually around one week. This means that you could start feeling some of the benefits within a week or two, but it may take four to six weeks to feel the maximum benefits. The side effects should have worn off, and you should start to notice your mood improve, and your symptoms becoming more manageable and less noticeable. 

Keeping a diary of how you feel can be helpful to check whether your symptoms are improving or staying the same. Then you can discuss this with your doctor and see what adjustments could be made to help. 

Escitalopram Dosage for Teenagers

There is a Lexapro dosage chart for teens which is provided in the medication leaflet, detailing the starting, recommended, and maximum doses for treatment in teens. For the treatment of both depression and GAD, the initial dose is 10mg once a day, usually taken as a tablet. This can be increased to a maximum of 20mg once a day.4 For other off-label uses, your doctor will decide what dosage would be best to start with. 

Stopping Lexapro in Adolescence

If you decide that you want to stop taking Lexapro, it’s important that you don’t just stop taking it. If you stop taking it suddenly, you risk feeling withdrawal effects, which are temporary but unpleasant mental and physical changes. They can include:4

  • Feeling like you have the flu (aches, pains, tiredness)
  • Nausea
  • Sleep problems
  • Anxiety
  • Low mood
  • Confusion
  • Feeling irritable or agitated

To avoid these, you need to involve your doctor in the process. Talk to them about how to stop Lexapro and make a plan with them for how to reduce your dosage slowly so that you are less likely to feel withdrawal effects. Keep them informed every step of the way so that they can adjust the plan if needed. You want to come off of Escitalopram as easily and smoothly as possible. 

Common Questions and Answers About Escitalopram

We’ve come up with a list of the most common questions people have about starting Lexapro that we haven’t covered so far. So, if you still have some questions, keep reading to find out the answers. 

“Do I Need to Avoid Any Foods or Drinks When Taking Lexapro?”

You don’t need to avoid specific foods, but you should not drink alcohol while taking Lexapro.4

“Is Lexapro Sedating or Energizing?”

Generally, Lexapro doesn’t make you feel sedated or energized. However, the temporary side effects can include some drowsiness to start with. 

“Can Lexapro Cause Mood Swings in Teens?”

Some of the less common side effects can include agitation, irritability, and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. These should ease off after the first week or so as they are temporary side effects. 

“Lexapro vs Prozac in Teenagers - Which Is Better?”

Prozac and Lexapro are both SSRIs used to treat mental health conditions in teens. They are both FDA-approved for treating depression in teens and have very similar common side effects. However, Lexapro’s side effects tend to be milder than Prozac, with Prozac linked more with nausea, diarrhea, and sleeping problems.10
Tricyclic Antidepressants for Teenagers: What You Need to Know

Seek Support for Your Mental Health at Mission Prep Today

We know that mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can be difficult to manage alone. That’s why Mission Prep is here – to support you through your journey to recovery. Whether you are searching for therapy, medication management, or just some guidance on what treatment options are available for you, we are here to help. 

Mission Prep specializes in helping teens with their mental health. We know that mental health conditions can affect everyone differently, which is why we provide a range of treatment options so that you can be supported in the way that feels best for you. Some of our programs include:

You don’t have to face mental health challenges alone.

Reach out to our team of mental health professionals today to find out how we can help you on your road to recovery. 

References

  1. Miller, C. (2024, November 18). Medication for kids with depression. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/medication-for-kids-with-depression/

  2. Sappenfield, O., Alberto, C., Minnaert, J., Donney, J., Lebrun-Harris, L., & Ghandour, R. (2024, October 1). Adolescent mental and behavioral health, 2023. National Survey of Children’s Health Data Briefs – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608531/

  3. MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Escitalopram: MedlinePlus drug information. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603005.html

  4. AbbVie. (2023). Highlights of prescribing information: Lexapro (escitalopram). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/021323s055,021365s039lbl.pdf

  5. Miller, C. (2025, April 9). Best anxiety medication for children and teens. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/best-medications-for-kids-anxiety/

  6. National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2024, December 23). Escitalopram (Lexapro) | NAMI. https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/treatments/mental-health-medications/types-of-medication/escitalopram-lexapro/

  7. Tao, Y., Li, H., Li, L., Zhang, H., Xu, H., Zhang, H., Zou, S., Deng, F., Huang, L., Wang, Y., Wang, X., Tang, X., Fu, X., & Yin, L. (2022). Comparing the efficacy of pharmacological and psychological treatment, alone and in combination, in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A network meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 148, 95–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.01.057

  8. Isolan, L., Pheula, G., Salum, G. A., Jr, Oswald, S., Rohde, L. A., & Manfro, G. G. (2007). An open-label trial of escitalopram in children and adolescents with social anxiety disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 17(6), 751–760. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2007.0007

  9. American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Antidepressants side effects: Pediatric mental health minute series. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/mental-health-minute/antidepressants-side-effects/

  10. Roland, J. (2023, December 21). Prozac vs. Lexapro: What to know about each. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/prozac-lexapro#prozac-vs-lexapro

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