Lexapro reduces anxiety in elderly
New research has shown that the antidepressant Lexapro (escitalopram) significantly improves the condition of older people with generalized anxiety disorder.
Lexapro belongs to a class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These drugs are approved for the treatment of anxiety. Although researchers have used Lexapro for research, the lead researcher Dr. Eric J. Lenze believes that other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors will have the same effect.
In the study, 177 elderly patients aged over 60 who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to receive Lexapro or placebo for 12 weeks. The result was that the level of anxiety reduced in 69% of patients treated with Lexapro, whereas in the placebo group – only in 51%. The researchers also noted that Lexapro significantly reduced blood pressure in people with hypertension.