Lexapro

Lexapro (Escitalopram)

Lexapro

Escitalopram tablet

What is it used for?

ESCITALOPRAM is used for the treatment of depression and certain anxiety types.

What should I discuss with my physician prior to taking this medicine?

Please do tell your physician if you have any of the following conditions:

• bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder
• diabetes
• heart diseases
• kidney or liver diseases
• receiving electroconvulsive therapy
• seizures (convulsions)
• suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
• an unusual or allergic reaction to escitalopram, the related drug citalopram, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• breast-feeding

How is this medicine should be taken?

Take it orally accompanied with a glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, you should only take it with food. This medicine should be taken at the regular intervals. It should never be taken more often than prescribed. You shouldn’t stop the treatment course unless your physician specifically advised you to do so.

Contact your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine by children. Special care might be necessary.

Overdosage: If you suspect an overdosage, get in touch with the nearest poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NOTE: This medicine is only intended for your use. You should never share it with the others.

What to do if I missed a dose?

If you missed a dose, it should be taken as soon as possible. If the time has almost come for the next dose, only that one should be taken. You should never take double or extra doses; a single doze is sufficient for the purposes.

What are the possible interactions with the other medicine/food/etc?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• certain diet drugs like dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine, sibutramine
• cisapride
• citalopram
• medicines called MAO Inhibitors like Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Eldepryl
• nefazodone
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• procarbazine
• St. John's Wort
• venlafaxine

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• amphetamine or dextroamphetamine
• aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
• carbamazepine
• cimetidine
• ketoconazole
• linezolid
• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin
• medicines that treat HIV infection or AIDS
• medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
• medicines used to treat tuberculosis like isoniazid, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine
• metoclopramide
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• pentazocine
• tryptophan

This list is not all-inclusive and may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements that you are using. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of those items may also interact with your medicine.

Is there anything I should pay attention to while taking it?

Pay regular visits to your doctor or health care professional to undergo checks on your progress. You should continue taking the tablets even if you do not feel immediate improvement. It can take up to 2 weeks or even longer before you feel the full effect of this drug.

Patients and their families should watch out for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. You should also keep an eye on the sudden or severe feeling changes such as anxiety, agitation, feeling panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or having trouble sleeping. If this happens, especially at the beginning of the treatment course or after a dosage change, inform your health care professional right away.

If you have been using this medicine regularly for some time period, you should never stop using it abruptly. In order to your symptoms wouldn’t get worse, you will have to gradually reduce the dose. Consult with your physician for more information on the issue.

You may experience drowsiness or dizziness symptoms. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how exactly this medicine affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are a senior patient. This is to reduce the risk of possible dizziness or fainting spells. Alcohol may cause interference with this medicine’s effect. Refrain from using alcohol at all costs.

You should never attempt to treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without a prior consultation with your doctor or health care professional. Some ingredients used in those medications can increase possible side effects for this drug.

Your might experience dry mouth symptoms. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking a sugar candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Does this medicine have any possible side effects?

The following side effects should be reported to your doctor or health care professional as soon as they are noticed:

• allergic reactions like skin rashes, itching or hives,face, lips, or tongue swelling
• confusion
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• fast talking and excited feelings or actions that are out of control
• hallucination, loss of the contact with reality
• seizures
• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
• unusual bleeding or bruising

The below side effects usually do not necessarily require any medical attention (please do report them to your physician if they are recurrent or bothersome):

• blurred vision
• changes in appetite
• change in sex drive or performance
• headache
• increased sweating
• nausea

Other side effects are also possible, for the above list is not all inclusive.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep this medicine out of the children’s reach..

This medicine should be stored at the room temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Dispose of any unused medicine after the expiry date is reached.