Escitalopram

CAUTION:
Studies have shown that children and teenagers who take antidepressants ('mood elevators') such as escitalopram may be more likely to think about harming or killing themselves or to plan or try to do so than children who do not take antidepressants. Children younger than 18 years of age should not normally take escitalopram.If your child’s doctor has prescribed escitalopram for your child, you should watch his or her behavior very carefully, especially at the beginning of treatment and any time his or her dose is increased or decreased. Your child may develop serious symptoms very suddenly, so it is important to pay attention to his or her behavior every day.

General Information and Indications:

Escitalopram is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (excessive worrying that is difficult to control). Escitalopram is in a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance.
 

Information For Users:

Escitalopram comes as a tablet and a solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. To help you remember to take escitalopram, take it around the same time every day, in the morning or in the evening. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take escitalopram exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Your doctor might start you on a low dose of escitalopram and increase your dose after 1 week.

It may take 1-4 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of escitalopram. Continue taking escitalopram even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking escitalopram without informing your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to escitalopram, citalopram (Celexa), or any other medications.
o do not take escitalopram if you are taking an MAO inhibitor such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate) or have stopped taking them in the last 2 weeks.
o you should know that escitalopram is very similar to another SSRI, citalopram (Celexa). You should not take these two medications together.
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antihistamines; aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); carbamazepine (Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); ketoconazole (Sporanox); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithotabs); medications for anxiety, mental illness, or seizures; metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL); other antidepressants such as desipramine (Norpramin); sedatives; sleeping pills; sumatriptan (Imitrex); and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
o Inform your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had, depression, bipolar disorder (mood that changes from depressed to abnormally excited), or mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or if you or anyone in your family has thought about or attempted suicide. Also Inform your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack and if you have or have ever had seizures or liver, kidney, thyroid, or heart disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking escitalopram, call your doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking escitalopram.
o you should know that escitalopram may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
o remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
o you should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways, especially at the beginning of your treatment and at any time your dose is increased or decreased. These changes may occur at any time if you have depression or other mental illness, whether or not you are taking escitalopram or any other medication. You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: new or worsening depression; thinking about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so; extreme worry; agitation; panic attacks; difficulty falling or staying asleep; irritability; aggressive behavior; acting without thinking; severe restlessness; and frenzied abnormal excitement. Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor when you are unable to seek treatment on your own.

Possible Adverse Effects:

Escitalopram may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o upset stomach
o diarrhea
o constipation
o changes in sex drive or ability, impotence
o difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
o drowsiness
o increased sweating
o dizziness
o heartburn
o stomach pain
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o dry mouth
o increased appetite
o flu-like symptoms
o runny nose
o sneezing

Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience either of them or those listed in the CAUTION section, call your doctor without delay:

o unusual excitement
o seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)

Possible Symptoms of Overdose:

o dizziness
o sweating
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o tremor
o drowsiness
o fast or pounding heartbeat
o seizures
o confusion
o forgetfulness
o fast breathing
o coma

Brand Name(s):

o Lexapro®