Fast Facts
- Research indicates that gay men and lesbians may have a higher rate of depression when compared with the general population.1,2
- Like depression, anxiety disorders may be more prevalent in the gay population.1
- Lesbian and bisexual women may have a higher prevalence of GAD than heterosexual women.1
- Although depression and anxiety are typically associated with a decrease in sexual desire, in some individuals, the opposite may be true.3
- A survey of households throughout the United States found that individuals who reported 1 or more same-sex partners in the past 5 years experienced higher rates of mental disorders, including anxiety and mood disorders.4
- Gay men who are depressed may be less likely to practice safe sex and may thereby increase their risk of HIV infection.5
- Depression is a separate condition that needs to be treated along with treatment for HIV/AIDS.6
- Together with proper management of HIV/AIDS, appropriate treatment of depression might provide an additional benefit to the treatment of HIV/AIDS.6
1. Cochran SD, Sullivan JG, Mays VM Prevalence of mental disorders, psychological distress and mental services use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2003;71:53-61. 2. Mills TC, Paul J, Stall R, et al. Distress and depression in men who have sex with men: The Urban Men's Health Study. Am J Psych. 2004;161:278-285. 3. Bancroft J, Janssen E, Strong D, Vukadinovic Z. The relation between mood and sexuality in gay men. Arch Sex Behav. 2003;32:231-242. 4. Gilman SE, Cochran SD, Mays VM, et al. Risk of psychiatric disorders among individuals reporting same-sex sexual partners in the National Comorbidity Survey. Am J Public Health. 2001;91:933-939. 5. Rogers G, Curry M, Oddy J, et al. Depressive disorders and unprotected casual anal sex among Australian homosexually active men in primary care. HIV Med. 2003;4:271-275. 6. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Depression and HIV/AIDS. NIH Publication No. 02-5005. May 2002.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with increases in the risk of suicide. Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidality (suicidal thinking and behavior) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of antidepressants in children, adolescents or young adults must balance the risk to clinical need. Patients of all ages started on antidepressant therapy should be closely monitored and observed for clinical worsening, suicidality or unusual changes in behavior, especially at the beginning of therapy or at the time of dose changes. This risk may persist until significant remission occurs. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the prescriber. Lexapro is not approved for use in pediatric patients.
Lexapro is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), pimozide (see DRUG INTERACTIONS: Pimozide and Celexa), or in patients with hypersensitivity to escitalopram oxalate. As with other SSRIs, caution is indicated in the coadministration of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) with Lexapro. SSRIs and SNRIs (including Lexapro) and other psychotropic drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake may increase the risk of bleeding events. Concomitant use of aspirin, NSAIDs, warfarin and other anticoagulants may add to the risk. Patients should be cautioned about these risks. SSRIs and SNRIs have been associated with clinically significant hyponatremia. Elderly patients or patients taking diuretics or who are otherwise volume-depleted appear to be at a greater risk. Discontinuation of Lexapro should be considered in patients with symptomatic hyponatremia and appropriate medical intervention should be instituted. The most common adverse events with Lexapro versus placebo (approximately 5% or greater and approximately 2x placebo) were nausea, insomnia, ejaculation disorder, somnolence, increased sweating, fatigue, decreased libido, and anorgasmia.
See Important Safety Information
