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Escitalopram
Brand name: Lexapro
Important Information
Description Who should not take it?
How should I take it?
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I overdose?
What should I avoid while taking it?
What are the side effects?
What other drugs will affect it?
Where can I get more information?
Brand Names
What is the most important
information I should know about escitalopram?
While you are taking escitalopram you may need to be monitored for worsening symptoms
of depression and/or suicidal thoughts especially at the start of therapy or when doses
are changed. Your doctor may want you to monitor for the following symptoms: anxiety,
panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, severe
restlessness, and mania (mental and/or physical hyperactivity). These symptoms may
be associated with development of worsening symptoms of depression and/or suicidal
thoughts or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or
worsening mental health symptoms during treatment with escitalopram. Do not stop
taking escitalopram without first talking to your healthcare provider.
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Do not stop taking escitalopram without first
talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks for you to start feeling
better. |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery,
or performing other hazardous activities. Escitalopram may cause dizziness. If
you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. |
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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase
drowsiness and dizziness while taking escitalopram or affect your
condition. |
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What is escitalopram?
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Escitalopram is in a class of drugs called
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Escitalopram affects chemicals in the
brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression. |
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Escitalopram is used to treat
depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). |
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Escitalopram may also be used for purposes
other than those listed in this medication guide. |
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| What should I discuss with my
healthcare provider before taking escitalopram? |
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Do not take escitalopram if you have taken a
monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine
(Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. A dangerous
drug interaction can occur if escitalopram is combined with any of these
medications. |
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Before taking escitalopram, tell your doctor
if you |
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suffer from seizures, or |
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suffer from mania or have suicidal
thoughts. |
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You may not be able to take escitalopram, or
you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if
you have any of the conditions listed above. |
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Escitalopram should not be taken during
treatment with citalopram (Celexa). Also, if you have had an allergic reaction
to citalopram (Celexa), you may also have an allergic reaction to escitalopram.
Do not take escitalopram without first talking to your doctor if you have had
an allergic reaction to either medication in the past. |
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Escitalopram is in the FDA pregnancy category
C. This means that it is not known whether escitalopram it will be harmful to
an unborn baby. Do not take escitalopram without first talking to your doctor
if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. |
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Escitalopram passes into breast milk and may
affect a nursing infant. Do not take escitalopram without first talking to your
doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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| How should I take
escitalopram? |
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Take escitalopram exactly as directed by your
doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. |
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Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of
water. |
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To ensure you get the correct dose, measure
the liquid form of escitalopram with a dose-measuring spoon, cup, or dropper,
not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask
your pharmacist where you can get one. |
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Escitalopram may be taken with or without
food. |
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Escitalopram is usually taken once a day.
Follow your doctor's instructions. Take the dose at the same time each
day. |
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Do not stop taking escitalopram without first
talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks for you to start feeling
better. |
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Store escitalopram at room temperature away
from moisture and heat. |
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| What happens if I miss a
dose? |
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the
missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose
of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. |
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| What happens if I
overdose? |
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a escitalopram overdose include
nausea, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness, dizziness, sweating, and a fast
heartbeat. |
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| What should I avoid while taking
escitalopram? |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery,
or performing other hazardous activities. Escitalopram may cause dizziness. If
you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. |
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|
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase
drowsiness and dizziness while taking escitalopram or affect your
condition. |
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| What are the possible side effects of
escitalopram? |
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If you experience any of the following serious
side effects, stop taking escitalopram and call your doctor immediately or seek
emergency medical treatment: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;
closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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an irregular heartbeat or pulse; |
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low blood pressure (dizziness,
weakness); |
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high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred
vision); or |
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If you experience any of the following less
serious side effects, continue taking escitalopram and talk to your
doctor: |
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headache, tremor, nervousness, or
anxiety; |
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nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in
appetite or weight; |
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sleepiness or insomnia; or |
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decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty
having an orgasm. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may
also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or
that is especially bothersome. |
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| What other drugs will affect
escitalopram? |
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Do not take escitalopram if you have taken a
monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine
(Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks. A dangerous
drug interaction can occur when escitalopram is combined with any of these
medications. |
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Before taking escitalopram, tell your doctor
if you are taking any of the following medicines: |
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· |
another antidepressant such as citalopram
(Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft),
paroxetine (Paxil), trazodone (Desyrel), or nefazodone (Serzone); |
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a tricyclic antidepressant such as
amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan),
nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others; |
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a seizure medication including carbamazepine
(Tegretol) or felbamate (Felbatol); |
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a stomach medicine such as cimetidine
(Tagamet, Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), or omeprazole
(Prilosec); |
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an antibiotic such as erythromycin (Eryc-Tab,
E-Mycin, E.E.S., Erythrocin, P.C.E., others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
|
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an antifungal medication such as fluconazole
(Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral); or |
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a migraine medication such as almotriptan
(Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge),
rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
|
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the asthma medication zafirlukast (Accolate);
or |
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lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate,
Lithotabs). |
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You may not be able to take escitalopram, or
you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if
you are taking any of the medicines listed above. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also
interact with escitalopram. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking
any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal
products. |
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| Where can I get more
information? |
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Your pharmacist has additional information
about escitalopram written for health professionals that you may read.
|
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What does my medication look like?
Escitalopram is available with a prescription under the brand name Lexapro.
Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist
any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
- Lexapro 5 mg--white, round, tablets
- Lexapro 10 mg-white, round, scored tablets
- Lexapro 20 mg-white, round, scored tablets
- Lexapro 5 mg/5 mL-peppermint-flavored oral solution
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the
reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that
the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug
information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been
compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States
and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy.
Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and / or to
serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute
for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.
The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should
be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective
or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility
for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum
provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all
possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic
reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are
taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.03. Revision Date: 4/15/04.
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