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Does Lexapro affect sodium levels?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 12, 2026

Lexapro may cause low salt levels in your body. This may be more likely to occur in seniors, people who take water pills, or people who are dehydrated. This side effect may cause: headache.

Does Lexapro interfere with sodium levels?

This medicine may cause hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood). This is more common in elderly patients, those who are taking diuretic medicines for high blood pressure, or those who have decreased amounts of fluid in the body due to severe diarrhea or vomiting.

Why does lexapro cause low sodium?

The hyponatremic effect is attributed to SSRI-induced release of antidiuretic hormone, leading to the SIADH. [3] SIADH is characterized by a low serum sodium concentration (<135 mmol/L), urinary osmolality exceeding 200 mOsm/kg, a urinary sodium concentration exceeding 20 mmol/L, and serum osmolality of <280 mOsm/kg.

What antidepressants cause low sodium levels?

All antidepressants except mianserin are associated with hyponatremia. The association is strongest with citalopram and lowest with duloxetine, venlafaxine and mirtazapine.

Do antidepressants lower sodium?

Conclusion: Hyponatremia is a potentially dangerous side effect of antidepressants and is not exclusive to SSRIs. Current evidence suggests a relatively higher risk of hyponatremia with SSRIs and venlafaxine, especially when combined with patient risk factors, warranting clinicians to be aware of this complication.

18 related questions found

Why do SSRIs cause low sodium?

The mechanism by which SSRIs cause hyponatremia is thought to be secondary to development of SIADH. Treatment of isovolemia hypotonic hyponatremia associated with SSRI use includes water restriction and mild diuresis with a loop diuretic.

Does Remeron lower sodium?

Regarding the dose relation between mirtazapine and sodium levels, a weak negative correlation (inverse relation) was found: lower sodium levels were present at a higher dose, but the results were not statistically significant.

What medications affect sodium levels?

Known offenders include acetazolamide, amiloride, amphotericin, aripiprazole, atovaquone, thiazide diuretics, amiodarone, basiliximab, angiotensin II receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, bromocriptine, carbamazepine, carboplatin, carvedilol, celecoxib, cyclophosphamide, clofibrate, desmopressin, ...

What causes sodium levels to drop?

Chronic, severe vomiting or diarrhea and other causes of dehydration. This causes your body to lose electrolytes, such as sodium, and also increases ADH levels. Drinking too much water. Drinking excessive amounts of water can cause low sodium by overwhelming the kidneys' ability to excrete water.

How do you raise your sodium level?

If you have moderate, chronic hyponatremia due to your diet, diuretics or drinking too much water, your doctor may recommend temporarily cutting back on fluids. He or she may also suggest adjusting your diuretic use to increase the level of sodium in your blood.

Can Lexapro cause high triglycerides?

Citalopram and escitalopram were associated with increased triglyceride levels, and sertraline with increased total cholesterol levels. In contrast, fluoxetine was associated with a reduction of body weight, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

Does Lexapro cause blood thinning?

Lexapro (escitalopram) can increase the risk of bleeding or bruising, especially if you're also taking aspirin, NSAIDs (like Advil), or blood thinners. The bleeding can be life-threatening.

Will Lexapro raise your blood sugar?

By far the most prescribed type of antidepressant is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine (often known as Prozac or Sarafem), escitalopram (Lexapro) or sertraline (Zoloft). But despite their popularity, concern has surfaced that SSRIs may raise blood sugar.

What should you not take with Lexapro?

Do not use escitalopram with buspirone (Buspar®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Duragesic®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), tryptophan, St. John's wort, amphetamines, or some pain or migraine medicines (eg, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, tramadol, Frova®, Imitrex®, Maxalt®, Relpax®, Ultram®, Zomig®).

When should you stop taking Lexapro?

Take your time.

You may be tempted to stop taking antidepressants as soon as your symptoms ease, but depression can return if you quit too soon. Clinicians generally recommend staying on the medication for six to nine months before considering going off antidepressants.

Can anxiety cause low sodium levels?

In conclusion, we found that anxiety is not an isolated risk factor for hyponatremia, the increased tendency of hyponatremia among anxious patients appears only after initiation of SSRIs.

How do you fix sodium deficit?

In patients with severe symptomatic hyponatremia, the rate of sodium correction should be 6 to 12 mEq per L in the first 24 hours and 18 mEq per L or less in 48 hours. A bolus of 100 to 150 mL of hypertonic 3% saline can be given to correct severe hyponatremia.

Can a person recover from low sodium levels?

Hyponatremia can result from multiple diseases that often are affecting the lungs, liver or brain, heart problems like congestive heart failure, or medications. Most people recover fully with their doctor's help.

Can Xanax cause low sodium levels?

There have been isolated case reports of benzodiazepine/hypnotic-induced hyponatremia. Several benzodiazepines such as lorazepam, alprazolam, oxazepam, clonazepam, triazolam, temazepam, clorazepate, and zolpidem (nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic) have been linked with development of hyponatremia.

Does Trintellix cause hyponatremia?

Hyponatremia has been reported with the treatment of TRINTELLIX [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Does paroxetine cause hyponatremia?

Hyponatremia is an underrecognized and potentially serious complication of paroxetine treatment in older patients.

Can Zoloft cause low sodium levels?

Zoloft (sertraline) can cause very low sodium levels in your blood. Tell your provider right away if you experience weakness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, headache or memory problems.

Does Zoloft deplete sodium?

This medicine may cause hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood). This is more common in elderly patients, those who are taking diuretic medicines for high blood pressure, or those who have decreased amounts of fluid in the body due to severe diarrhea or vomiting.

Does Lexapro affect blood pressure?

Conclusion: Escitalopram decreases HR, but not BP, in individuals with hypertension and depression.

Can diabetics take Lexapro?

Few specific features of Escitalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), make it a promising medication for use in diabetes.