Can Lexapro And Oxycodone Be Taken Together? A Complete Guide To Treat Nerve Pain
If you are dealing with severe nerve pain, you must have been prescribed with Oxycodone. It’s a bit too strong for the problem, and you can be given other medications. One of them is Lexapro, and the reason behind it is not known to many patients. Many believe firmly that Lexapro and Oxycodone help with nerve pain. Oxycodone is a known medication for pain relief, but the usage of Lexapro is a debate among healthcare professionals themselves. Patients also think about mixing Lexapro and Oxycodone and see if it provides better relief from pain. We will understand the two drugs thoroughly in this blog.
Lexapro And Oxycodone: Understanding How They Help Nerve Pain
What is Lexapro?
Lexapro is an SSRI antidepressant used for depression disorder, but can be effective for nerve pain. Lexapro can be found with its generic name Escitalopram, and the other brand names are Nexito, Lexam, Cipralex, Aciprex, and Rexipra. One can find Lexapro as oral tablets or oral solutions in the market. Lexapro works by binding with some serotonin inhibitors in our nervous system. This leads to the release of serotonin neurotransmitters into the brain, which makes the patient feel calm and relaxed. It is not a controlled drug, but that does not mean you can buy it easily. Lexapro is available only on prescription.
What is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is an analgesic opioid used when dealing with moderate-to-severe pain. Patients can find brand names like Roxicodone, OxyContin, OxyNorm, and in combination medicines like Percocet. It is found in the form of immediate and extended-release tablets, and also in capsules and tablets. Oxycodone works by binding to μ-opioid, k-opioid, and δ-opioid receptors, which release many neurotransmitters like GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), dopamine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters slow down the brain, stop the pain signals and all of this helps the patient feel calm and relaxed. As it is highly potential for abuse, it is labelled as a Schedule II controlled substance.
Why Lexapro and Oxycodone for Nerve Pain?
Both Oxycodone and Lexapro have their own reasons for being used for nerve pain. Oxycodone may not be a first-line medication for neuropathic discomfort, but it is definitely an effective remedy for chronic pain. It is administered for the pain when first recommendations like Gabapentin or Tramadol do not work effectively. The reason behind prescribing Lexapro is a bit complex. Escitalopram is not approved for any pain relief, but as an antidepressant, it has the ability to change the perception of pain. Lexapro releases serotonin into our system, which stabilises our mood. This makes one forget that they have any pain, though for a short period of time.
Can You Take Lexapro and Oxycodone Together?
Oxycodone and Lexapro together are prescribed by doctors very carefully because of some risks. Oxycodone, being a strong opioid, can depress our central nervous system. Lexapro causes drowsiness by releasing serotonin into our system. Combining Oxycodone and Lexapro now can backfire by raising our serotonin levels, leading to a rare but dangerous symptom called serotonin syndrome. This phenomenon can cause a lot of dizziness, difficulty in decision-making, and confusion, and in the worst case scenario, this combination can heighten all other side effects and deteriorate our health immensely. So, you have to take your doctor’s advice before using them together.
Side Effects of Lexapro and Oxycodone
Now that we know that the two drugs can be very dangerous if taken together, we must now see what the side effects are of both drugs. We must also be aware of the other risks of Oxycodone and Lexapro when taken together.
Lexapro Side Effects
- Sleep Deprivation
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Bad Stomach
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Sweating Profusely
- Dry Mouth
- Feeling extremely thirsty
- Headache
- Conspitation
- Sexual dysfunctionality
Oxycodone Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Dry Mouth
- Headache
- Itching
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Dizziness
Serious Risks If Combined
- Respiratory Failure
- Central Nervous System Depression
- Internal Organ Bleeding
- Lower Sodium Levels
- Serotonin Syndrome
Drug Interaction of Lexapro and Oxycodone
We already know that Lexapro and Oxycodone interaction can lead to serotonin syndrome. It is now time to see what other drugs Oxycodone and Lexapro can interact with.
Lexapro Interactions
Oxycodone Interactions
Alternatives for Nerve Pain
You can always consult your doctor and switch to substitutes that will help you effectively with nerve pain. Oxycodone is just too strong for the treatment, and Lexapro is not enough for your nerve pain. Let us now see the alternatives.
Antidepressants:
- Cymbalta
- Venlafaxine
- Amitriptyline.
Anti-convulsants:
- Pregabalin
- Gabapentin
Topical patches:
- Lidocaine
- Capsaicin.
NSAIDs:
- Ketorolac
- Diclofenac
Natural substitutes:
- Food items rich in antioxidants, like berries, spinach, sweet potatoes, etc.,
- Turmeric,
- Vitamin B
Conclusion
Patients can take Oxycodone and Lexapro together. Doctors do prescribe the two medications together because chronic pain often depresses patients a lot. It makes the sufferers think they will never get rid of this pain. There must be a clear gap in time between taking the two medications.