Description
LEXAPRO (Escitalopram), an anti-depressant drug that belongs to the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) is prescribed by the physicians for the patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorders. LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) will neutralise the brain chemicals like Serotonin and other similar neurotransmitters that cause the Major Depressive Disorder and anxiety disorders. LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) is not indicated for children below 12 years old.
Who should not take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram)?
LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) should not be prescribed for the patients with liver disease, seizures and other convulsive disorders, history of suicidal thoughts, bipolar disorders or the maniac depression. If you are taking drugs like tryptophan it can interfere with LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) can cause adverse effects like nausea, headache and dizziness. Drugs like Mono Amine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) should be avoided while taking LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) to prevent the drug induced diseases. You should not start LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) until fourteen days after the discontinuation of the MAOI and vice versa. Other drugs like blood thinners including Aspirin, Indomethacin, Theophylline, Ibuprofen, sumatriptan, Warfarin, diclofenac, Cimetidine, piroxicam, carbamazepine, naproxen, digoxin, Ketoconazole, metoprolol and lithium should be avoided while taking LEXAPRO (Escitalopram). If you are allergic to LEXAPRO (Escitalopram), you should consult your Physician. If you are taking sleeping-aid medications, you should not take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram), as it can cause excessive sleep or drowsiness. According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA), LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) is classified as a Pregnancy Category – C drug and most of the SSRI antidepressants cause serious life threatening pulmonary problems to the unborn foetus and you should not take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram), if you are pregnant. If you are nursing mother, you should not take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) with out consulting the Physician, as it can harm the feeding infant.
LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) Side Effects:
LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) can cause adverse effects like suicidal thoughts and its associated behaviors, unusual changes in behaviors, sexual difficulties like loss of libido, drive, delay in ejaculation, alterations in the taste, blurred vision, agitation and restlessness, anorexia or bulimia, tiredness, tingling, weight changes, dry mouth, frequent urination, fever, flushing, sleeping disorder and drowsiness. Other rare and less common side effects are heart burn, tinnitus (ringing of the ear), stomach upset, constipation, hallucination, memory loss, vision changes, irritability, decreased concentration, panic attacks, severe or persistent head ache, unusual bruising or bleeding and yawning. However, most of the side effects may change from person to person.
How should I take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram)?
The recommended oral dosage for the LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) is 10 – 20 mg daily. The initial dosage of the LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) is 10 mg daily. The dosage of the LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) may be increased after to 20 mg after 1 week of treatment. There are no visible benefits seen until four weeks of treatment of LEXAPRO (Escitalopram). In this case, an increase in the dosage may not be helpful. The following instruction should be followed to take the LEXAPRO (Escitalopram): 10 – 20 mg daily: (1) Take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything except plain water. 2) Take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) while you are sitting or standing up. 3) Take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) with 6 to 8 ounces (about 1 cup) of plain water. Do not take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) with any other drink besides plain water. Do not take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) with coffee, tea, juice, milk or other dairy drinks. 4) Swallow LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) as a whole. Do not chew the tablet or keep LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) in your mouth to melt or dissolve. After taking LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) you must wait at least 30 minutes BEFORE: 1) lying down. You may sit, stand, or do normal activities like read the newspaper or take a walk. 2) Eating or drinking anything except plain water.
Keep taking LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) for as long as your health care provider tells you to do so. To treat your problems or keep you from getting these symptoms, you have to take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) as often and in the way LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) as prescribed by your Physician.
What is the important information I should know about LEXAPRO (Escitalopram)?
Take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
You can take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) disregard of food intake.
LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) is not indicated for the patients below 12 years old.
For LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) dosage one must follow his doctor’s instructions.
It is important to take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) regularly to get the most benefit, as directed by the Physician.
Avoid alcohol while you take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) because it can increase the side-effects of LEXAPRO (Escitalopram).
Do not stop taking LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) without first talking to your doctor, even if you are feeling well. Even after your symptoms improve, you may require continuous treatment for quite some time, as directed by the Physician.
Do not take Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), while taking LEXAPRO (Escitalopram). It can cause unusual bruising or bleeding.
If you are younger than 12 years, you should not take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) with out Physician’s advice.
If you are younger than 24 years and having history of suicidal thoughts, you should not take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram).
If you experience unusual or abnormal mood swings or thoughts, stop taking LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) and call the Doctor right away.
Store LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) as per the instructions on the label.
Keep LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) away from the reach of the children and pets.
What happens if I miss a dose of LEXAPRO (Escitalopram)?
Take the missed dose of LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) as soon as you remember, during the same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take LEXAPRO (Escitalopram) next day as routine dose. Do not take a double dose of the medication.
What happens if I overdose of LEXAPRO (Escitalopram)?
Please seek emergency medical attention immediately.
