Guest guest Posted January 7, 2004 Report Share Posted January 7, 2004 WebMD Today HomeWebMD News Center Member Services Newsletters & AlertsBoards & EventsWebMD UniversityMy WebMDFind a Physician Medical Info Diseases & ConditionsCheck SymptomsMedical LibraryDrugs & HerbsQuizzes, CalculatorsClinical TrialsFind Health InsuranceHealth Plan Health & Wellness Women, Men, LifestylePregnancy & FamilyDiet & Nutrition Who We Are About WebMDPrivacy & YouSite Map You are in Drugs & Herbs. Choose a TopicDrugs & HerbsBrowse Drug DatabaseFDA NewsProduct Recalls Escitalopram Pronunciation: EEE sih TAL oh pram 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? • Do not stop taking escitalopram without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks for you to start feeling better. • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Escitalopram may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. • Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking escitalopram or affect your condition.Back to Top What is escitalopram? • 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. • Escitalopram is used to treat depression. • Escitalopram may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.Back to Top What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking escitalopram? • 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. • Before taking escitalopram, tell your doctor if you · have liver disease, · have kidney disease, · suffer from seizures, or · suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts. • 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. • 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. • 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. • 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.Back to Top How should I take escitalopram? • 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. • Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. • 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. • Escitalopram may be taken with or without food. • Escitalopram is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions. Take the dose at the same time each day. • Do not stop taking escitalopram without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks for you to start feeling better. • Store escitalopram at room temperature away from moisture and heat.Back to Top What happens if I miss a dose? • 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.Back to Top What happens if I overdose? • Seek emergency medical attention. • Symptoms of a escitalopram overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness, dizziness, sweating, and a fast heartbeat.Back to Top What should I avoid while taking escitalopram? • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Escitalopram may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. • Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking escitalopram or affect your condition.Back to Top What are the possible side effects of escitalopram? • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking escitalopram and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); · an irregular heartbeat or pulse; · low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness); · high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or · chills or fever. • If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking escitalopram and talk to your doctor: · headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; · nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight; · sleepiness or insomnia; or · decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm. • 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.Back to Top What other drugs will affect escitalopram? • 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. • Before taking escitalopram, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: · another antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), trazodone (Desyrel), or nefazodone (Serzone); · a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others; · a seizure medication including carbamazepine (Tegretol) or felbamate (Felbatol); · a stomach medicine such as cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), or omeprazole (Prilosec); · an antibiotic such as erythromycin (Eryc-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., Erythrocin, P.C.E., others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin); · an antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral); or · a migraine medication such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); · the asthma medication zafirlukast (Accolate); or · lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs). • 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. • 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.Back to Top Where can I get more information? • Your pharmacist has additional information about escitalopram written for health professionals that you may read. Back to Top Brand Names: • Lexapro Back to Top 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: 2/17/03. Medscape for Physicians | Medscape for Healthcare Professionals Corporate | Contact Us Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy and Agreement ©1996-2004 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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