Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Does Lexapro Cause QT Prolongation?
Question: I was put on Lexapro 10mg and recently asked about that possibly causing something called qt prolongation...I was told it was too low of a dose for that to be a possibility. but now they want to up my dose to 20mg, does this dosage have a risk of qt prolongation?
Brief Answer:
You can safely take Lexapro at 20 mg . Monitor QT with an ekg after 3 month
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
At 20 mg of escitaopram and at young age where you are not on other medications that can cause QT prolongation .
There should not be a problem clinically and you can safely take the same without any issues .
However Directive bodies do recommend that you get your ekg done and if QT is more than 500 msec or there is an increase in more than 60 msec , Stop the medication .
Get an baseline Ekg and repeat the first after 3 months and later every 6 months .
Lexapro is one of most prescribed medication and Generally safe as compared to other medication for anxiety , feeling low and many other relevant indications .
Hopefully I could help .
Wishing you Good health .
Regards Dr. Mody
You can safely take Lexapro at 20 mg . Monitor QT with an ekg after 3 month
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
At 20 mg of escitaopram and at young age where you are not on other medications that can cause QT prolongation .
There should not be a problem clinically and you can safely take the same without any issues .
However Directive bodies do recommend that you get your ekg done and if QT is more than 500 msec or there is an increase in more than 60 msec , Stop the medication .
Get an baseline Ekg and repeat the first after 3 months and later every 6 months .
Lexapro is one of most prescribed medication and Generally safe as compared to other medication for anxiety , feeling low and many other relevant indications .
Hopefully I could help .
Wishing you Good health .
Regards Dr. Mody
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
so is it the same with 15mg cause I was never told this info, I was told there was no risk what so ever
Brief Answer:
THe info wasn't given as you are young and have no underlying heart disease
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
As you are a Young and have no underlying heart disease , the chances for clinically significant Qt prolongation are negligible.
Your doctor were right in not telling you the same as it would unnecessarily increase anxiety, the very thing they are trying to treat .
Citalopram, the congener from which escitalopram has been derived ,was known to cause Qt prolongation and FDA ( The XXXXXXX governing agency - and most respected around the world ) Has issued warning and disallowed use of more than 40 mg of Citalopram.
Escitalopram was brought in the market such that it doesn't have this side effects of the previous drug . However around the world there were many cases of Qt prolongation so some directive bodies cautioned that monitoring should be a part of follow , so a rare case of Qt prolongation is nit missed out .
Hopefully this would resolve your doubtsearch.
The benfit are far far more than any side effect for the medication and other medication for the same have more significant other side effects . Hence your doctor chose the same for you . Trust your doctor and you should be fine .
Regards Dr. Mody
THe info wasn't given as you are young and have no underlying heart disease
Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
As you are a Young and have no underlying heart disease , the chances for clinically significant Qt prolongation are negligible.
Your doctor were right in not telling you the same as it would unnecessarily increase anxiety, the very thing they are trying to treat .
Citalopram, the congener from which escitalopram has been derived ,was known to cause Qt prolongation and FDA ( The XXXXXXX governing agency - and most respected around the world ) Has issued warning and disallowed use of more than 40 mg of Citalopram.
Escitalopram was brought in the market such that it doesn't have this side effects of the previous drug . However around the world there were many cases of Qt prolongation so some directive bodies cautioned that monitoring should be a part of follow , so a rare case of Qt prolongation is nit missed out .
Hopefully this would resolve your doubtsearch.
The benfit are far far more than any side effect for the medication and other medication for the same have more significant other side effects . Hence your doctor chose the same for you . Trust your doctor and you should be fine .
Regards Dr. Mody
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
