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Lexapro and Dry Mouth

There are many side effects that can occur with the use of Lexapro, and dry mouth is extremely common. Although having a dry mouth can be irritating and uncomfortable, there are a number of things you can do to help treat dry mouth. A few suggestions for dealing with a dry mouth include avoiding tobacco or alcohol; being aware of spicy or salty foods, which can cause pain in a dry mouth; and chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva flow.

Lexapro and Dry Mouth: An Overview

Dry mouth is one of the most common Lexapro® side effects. A dry mouth occurs in up to 9 percent of people taking Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate). Dry mouth happens just as often in people taking Lexapro for depression as it does in people taking the drug for anxiety.
 

Lexapro and Dry Mouth: Recommendations

There are a number of things that you can do to help with a dry mouth.
 Some of these suggestions include:
 
  • Sipping water or sugarless drinks often.
     
  • Sipping water or sugarless drinks during meals. This will make chewing and swallowing easier; it may also improve the taste of food.
     
  • Avoiding drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and some sodas. Caffeine can dry out the mouth.
     
  • Avoiding tobacco or alcohol, which dry out the mouth.
     
  • Using a humidifier at night.
     
  • Being aware of spicy or salty foods because they may cause pain in a dry mouth.
     
  • Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva flow; cinnamon or mint-flavored candies are good choices.
     
(Lexapro and Dry Mouth Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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