- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, board certified in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry, is a St. Louis native looking to the Internet as a way to help people improve their health and be more active participants in their own health care by learning from Mayo Clinic's experts.
Dr. Hall-Flavin has been a member of the faculties of Cornell University Medical College, New York Medical College, and The George Washington University Medical School before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 1996. He has special interests in adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and psychogenomics. He has served as medical director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence from 1986 to 1999.
"With the advent of the genomics and proteomics revolution and the pace of advances in medicine, informed collaborative relationships between knowledgeable, capable health professionals and informed, proactive individuals and their families are more vital than ever," he said.
"I'm optimistic that our Internet health education activities will contribute to ever-improving health outcomes for all who participate and apply what is learned."
Definition (1)
- 'Clinical depression': What does that mean?
Symptoms (3)
- Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
- Atypical depression: What is it?
- Pain and depression: Is there a link?
Causes (4)
- Vitamin B-12 and depression: Are they related?
- Caffeine and depression: Is there a link?
- Marijuana and depression: What's the link?
- see all in Causes
Complications (1)
- Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
Treatments and drugs (9)
- Antidepressants: Can they lose effectiveness over time?
- Antidepressants and alcohol: What is the concern?
- Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Alternative medicine (1)
- Fish oil supplements: Can they treat depression?
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Question
Lexapro side effects: Is breast tenderness common?
I'm taking Lexapro, and my breasts seem unusually tender to the touch. For women, do Lexapro side effects include breast tenderness?
Answer
from Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Escitalopram (Lexapro) is a prescription drug commonly used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Although breast tenderness isn't among the published Lexapro side effects, informal reports associating Lexapro with breast tenderness have been circulated online.
Rarely, Lexapro is known to interfere with the normal processing of prolactin — a hormone that affects breast tissue. It's possible that this hormonal influence could lead to breast tenderness.
More commonly, Lexapro side effects may include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances, such as sleepiness or insomnia
- Increased sweating
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Sexual problems, such as ejaculation disorders or decreased interest in sex
To determine what may be causing the breast tenderness, consult your doctor. He or she will consider any possible underlying causes for your symptoms. The investigation may include tapering and then discontinuing the Lexapro for a period of time — which should only be done under your doctor's supervision. If the breast tenderness seems to be related to the medication, your doctor may recommend another antidepressant.
Next questionMAOIs and diet: Is it necessary to restrict tyramine?
- Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 26, 2008.
- Lexapro (prescribing information). New York, N.Y.: Forest Laboratories, Inc.; 2008.
