Lexapro long-term use

My mother has started with lexapro 3 months ago. She had very bad depressive episodes that used to last for 10-12 days. She used to sleep all day long, lost appetite and was in disphoric mood, and felt worthlessness. How long lexapro is safe to be used? It obviously helped her and still helps, but I guess that it I not life long therapy.

Lexapro is usually taken for 8 weeks, but it is not uncommon that doctor recommend extended period of therapy. So it means that 3 months are not that long period. More serious depressive disorders require several months of therapy with lexapro, but with systemic evaluation. I guess that you mom has regular controls and evaluations. Also, therapy should be discontinued gradually, by decreasing the dose. It make take much longer to get off of lexapro completely.