Primary Geriatrics PCP prescribed Lexipro

JM27 · July 12

Hi all,

My dad’s primary care Dr prescribed Lexipro for his looping thoughts and anxiety.

anyone have an experience with this? How were the results did it help at all?

Dr said she has had good results with her other dementia patients with it for anxiety.

M1 · July 12

Definitely worth a try. Lexapro (escitalopram) and Celexa (citalopram) are thought to be the most effective SSRI drugs in dementia patients. Give it two or three weeks at a minimum. If not sufficient, adding an antipsychotic like Seroquel or Risperdal can also help.

JM27 · July 12

Hi M1,

I definitely agree is worth a try. I’m hoping we get good results. Will keep you updated.

Thank you.

SiberianIris · July 12

It has definitely helped my mom's anxiety. She's been on it for a year now.

It's important to understand that it's an SSRI and must be taken as prescribed, meaning don't start and stop it willy nilly without a doctor's supervision, or there will be unpleasant side effects.

This is when we discovered my mom needed daily medication management at her AL place. She would either forget to take it or would think it was ok to skip a few days because she wasn't feeling anxious. Because she has anosognosia with her dementia, she didn't think she needed the medication management program, but she really did, and it helped pave the way for a higher level of support. She now has regular caregivers who manage her medications.

JM27 · July 12

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/215639#Comment_215639

Hi Siberianiris,

Thank you for the response. My dad will be living with me now and I’ll be doing the medication management. His Dr recommended he take it in the am with his other two meds which are blood pressure and cholesterol meds. She did say it should be taken same time everyday. Which might be a little challenge as he doesn’t always get up at the same time everyday. She did say if it’s like within hour of the time it should be ok.

Im worried I may get backlash from him as he as well has anosognosia and sometimes says he doesn’t take medication. So I will have to find ways to get him to take the meds.

M1 · July 12

you don’t have to tell him what it’s for. Just tell him it’s an additional blood pressure pill if you have to…

JM27 · July 12

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/215644#Comment_215644

Hi M1,

Thank you for the response. Thats is a good idea Incase he asks. I feel like I have to prepare before hand. Thank you.

Emily 123 · July 12

Hi JM27,

My Mom's on Lexapro and it's helped with her anxiety. It has made her pleasant and amenable to accepting assistance from the caregivers in her MC. Her appetite also seems better.

JM27 · July 12

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/215670#Comment_215670

Hi Emily,

I’m hopefully the lexipro will help out a lot.

Primary Geriatrics PCP prescribed Lexipro

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