Escitalopram

Generic name: Escitalopram
Brand names: Lexapro
Drug class: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Usage of Escitalopram

Escitalopram is an antidepressant belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression or anxiety.

Escitalopram is used to treat major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents at least 12 years old.

Escitalopram is also used to treat anxiety in adults.

Escitalopram side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to escitalopram: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;

racing thoughts, unusual risk-taking behavior, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;

pain or burning when you urinate;

(in a child taking escitalopram) slow growth or weight gain;

low levels of sodium in the body - headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady; or

severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common escitalopram side effects may include:

painful urination;

dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, weakness;

feeling anxious or agitated;

increased muscle movements, feeling shaky;

sleep problems (insomnia);

sweating, dry mouth, increased thirst, loss of appetite;

nausea, constipation;

yawning;

nosebleed, heavy menstrual periods; or

decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Escitalopram

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to escitalopram or citalopram (Celexa), or if:

you also take pimozide.

Do not use escitalopram within 14 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. These medicines may interact with escitalopram and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

To make sure escitalopram is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

liver or kidney disease;

seizures;

low levels of sodium in your blood;

heart disease, high blood pressure;

a stroke;

bleeding problems;

sexual problems;

bipolar disorder (manic depression); or

drug addiction or suicidal thoughts.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Escitalopram is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Ask your doctor about taking this medicine if you are pregnant. Taking an SSRI antidepressant during late pregnancy may cause serious medical complications in the baby. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Do not start or stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of escitalopram on the baby.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice drowsiness, agitation, feeding problems, or poor weight gain in the nursing baby.

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How to use Escitalopram

Usual Adult Dose for Generalized Anxiety Disorder:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day; increase if necessary after at least 1 week of treatment to 20 mg once a day Maintenance dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day Maximum dose: 20 mg orally once a day Comment: Treatment should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for ongoing treatment; efficacy beyond 8 weeks has not been systematically studied. Use: Acute treatment of generalized anxiety disorder

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day; increase if necessary after at least 1 week of treatment to 20 mg once a day Maintenance dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day Maximum dose: 20 mg orally once a day Comments: -Acute episodes may require several months or longer of sustained pharmacological therapy beyond response to the acute episode. -Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment. Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder

Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression:

Recommended dose: 10 mg orally once a day Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder

Usual Pediatric Dose for Depression:

12 years and older: -Initial dose: 10 mg orally once a day; increase if necessary after at least 3 weeks of treatment to 20 mg once a day -Maintenance dose: 10 to 20 mg orally once a day -Maximum dose: 20 mg orally once a day Comments: -Acute episodes may require several months or longer of sustained pharmacological therapy beyond response to the acute episode. -Patients should be periodically reassessed to determine the need for maintenance treatment. Use: Acute and maintenance treatment of major depressive disorder

Warnings

You should not use escitalopram you also take pimozide or citalopram (Celexa).

Do not use escitalopram within 14 days before or 14 days after you have used an MAO inhibitor, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Do not stop using escitalopram without first asking your doctor.

What other drugs will affect Escitalopram

Using escitalopram with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, especially a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven.

Many drugs may interact with escitalopram, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

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