Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ESCITALOPRAM (ES-sye-TAL-oh-pram)
This medicine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAY INCREASE THE RISK of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, depression and certain other mental problems may also increase the risk of suicide. Talk with the patient's doctor to be sure that the benefits of using this medicine outweigh the risks. FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS MUST CLOSELY WATCH PATIENTS who take this medicine. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking citalopram, a fenfluramine derivative (eg, dexfenfluramine), an H1 antagonist (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), nefazodone, pimozide, or sibutramine. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine), selegiline, or St. John's wort within the last 14 days. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking linezolid, lithium, metoclopramide, serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonists (eg, sumatriptan), trazodone, anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), tramadol, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine, thioridazine), carbamazepine, cyproheptadine, clozapine, risperidone, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of seizures, liver problems, severe kidney problems, stomach or bowel bleeding, metabolism problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you or a family member has a history of bipolar disorder (manic-depression), other mental or mood problems, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or substance abuse. Tell your doctor if you are dehydrated, have low blood sodium levels, drink alcohol, or will be having electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill this medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. TAKE THIS MEDICINE by mouth with or without food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE without checking with your doctor. Side effects may occur. They may include mental or mood changes, numbness or tingling of the skin, dizziness, confusion, headache, trouble sleeping, or unusual tiredness. You will be closely monitored when you start this medicine and whenever a change in dose is made. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS OR DIZZINESS. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL while you are using this medicine. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU USE medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using this medicine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. CHILDREN, TEENAGERS, AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch all patients who take this medicine closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; unusual changes in mood or behavior; or any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. THIS MEDICINE AND A MEDICINE CALLED CITALOPRAM have the same active ingredient. Do NOT take this medicine if you are also taking citalopram. IF YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU TO STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE, you will need to wait for several weeks before beginning to take certain other medicines (eg, MAOIs, nefazodone). Ask your doctor when you should start to take your new medicines after you have stopped taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY RARELY CAUSE A PROLONGED, PAINFUL ERECTION. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens. SEROTONIN SYNDROME and NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME (NMS) are possibly fatal syndromes that can be caused by this medicine. Your risk may be greater if you take this medicine with certain other medicines (eg, "triptans", MAOIs, antipsychotics). Symptoms may include blood pressure changes; agitation; confusion; hallucinations; other mental or mood changes; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; rigid muscles; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. USE THIS MEDICINE WITH CAUTION IN THE ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially low blood sodium levels. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE WEIGHT CHANGES. CHILDREN and teenagers may need regular weight and growth checks while they take this medicine. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE HARM to the fetus if it is used during the last 3 months of pregnancy. IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include constipation; decreased sexual desire or ability; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased sweating; lightheadedness when you stand or sit up; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset; tiredness; or trouble sleeping. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bizarre behavior; black or bloody stools; chest pain; confusion; decreased concentration; decreased coordination; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory loss; menstrual period changes; new or worsening agitation, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, restlessness, or inability to sit still; persistent or severe ringing in the ears; persistent, painful erection; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent anxiety or trouble sleeping; severe or persistent headache; stomach pain; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weakness; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; vision changes; or worsening of depression. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include coma; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; seizures; or severe or persistent dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, or vomiting.
SEVERAL WEEKS MAY PASS BEFORE YOUR SYMPTOMS IMPROVE. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or use this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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