Escitalopram

Escitalopram is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; excessive worry and tension that disrupts daily life and lasts for 6 months or longer). 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.

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 at around the same time every day, in the morning or in the evening. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take escitalopram exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of escitalopram and increase your dose after 1 week. It may take 1 to 4 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of escitalopram. Continue to take escitalopram even if you feel well. Do not stop taking escitalopram without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking escitalopram, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood changes,irritability, agitation, dizziness, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, anxiety, confusion, headache, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Escitalopram may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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nausea</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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constipation</li>
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changes in sex drive or ability</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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increased sweating</li>
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dizziness</li>
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heartburn</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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excessive tiredness</li>
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dry mouth</li>
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increased appetite</li>
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flu-like symptoms</li>
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runny nose</li>
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sneezing</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience either of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

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unusual excitement</li>
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seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)</li>
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fever, sweating, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, and severe muscle stiffness</li></ul>Escitalopram may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking escitalopram, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to escitalopram, citalopram (Celexa), or any other medications. tell your doctor if you are taking pimozide (Orap) or a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you have stopped taking an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take escitalopram. If you stop taking escitalopram, you should wait at least 14 days before you start to take an MAO inhibitor. you should know that escitalopram is very similar to another SSRI, citalopram (Celexa). You should not take these two medications together. tell your doctor or pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications and vitamins you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); antihistamines; aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); carbamazepine (Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); ketoconazole (Sporanox); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithotabs); linezolid (Zyvox); medications for anxiety, mental illness, or seizures; medications for migraine headaches such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig); metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL); other antidepressants such as desipramine (Norpramin); sedatives; sibutramine (Meridia); sleeping pills; tramadol; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor what nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking, especially products containing St. John's wort or tryptophan. tell 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. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking escitalopram. 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. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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dizziness</li>
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sweating</li>
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nausea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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tremor</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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fast or pounding heartbeat</li>
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seizures</li>
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confusion</li>
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forgetfulness</li>
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fast breathing</li>
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coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)</li></ul>