Lexapro

Information on Lexapro

Tablets
Chemical Name: ESCITALOPRAM (ess-sye-TAL-oh-pram)

Common uses
This medicine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Before using
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 or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (such as furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, or tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before or after treatment with this medicine. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking citalopram, or weight loss medicines such as sibutramine or phentermine. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking another SSRI antidepressant (such as fluoxetine or sertraline), diuretics (such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (such as aspirin or ibuprofen), "blood thinners" (such as warfarin), selegiline, tramadol, "triptan" migraine medicines (such as sumatriptan), tricyclic antidepressants (such as desipramine), lithium, metoprolol, or any herbal/natural products (such as St. John's wort). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including any mental or mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder), liver or kidney problems, dehydration, seizures, heart problems, other mental/mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, mineral/electrolyte problems such as low sodium levels in the blood or SIADH, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.

Directions
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY COME WITH A MEDICATION GUIDE. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you to remember. 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.

Cautions
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. SEVERAL WEEKS MAY PASS before this medicine reaches its full effect. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Some conditions may become worse if the medicine is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects when the medicine is stopped. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. CHILDREN, TEENAGERS, AND ADULTS WHO TAKE THIS MEDICINE MAY BE AT INCREASED RISK FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR ACTIONS. Watch all patients who take this medicine closely, especially at the start of treatment with this medicine and whenever a change in dose is made. CONTACT THE DOCTOR AT ONCE if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior occur. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR AT ONCE if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE drowsiness or dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants. Use of alcohol while taking this medicine is not recommended. Talk with your doctor about the use of alcohol with this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicines that contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of these products. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, especially low blood sodium levels. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.

Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, back pain, or dry mouth. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience increased sweating, unusual fatigue, or changes in sexual ability/interest. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience stomach pain, black or tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, unusual bleeding or bruising, vision changes, unusually fast or slow heartbeat, uncontrolled movements (tremors), chest pain, muscle cramps, seizures, painful or prolonged erection, change in amount of your urine, severe nervousness or anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, feelings of irritability or hostility, impulsive behavior or other unusual changes in behavior, severe restlessness, worsening feelings of depression, thoughts of hurting yourself, or any other mental or mood changes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions
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 you take too much
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include irregular heartbeat, fainting, severe dizziness or lightheadedness, and seizures.

Additional information
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 the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

Selected data included with permission and copyrighted by Medi-Span, 2008. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a Licensed data provider and is not for distribution in professional healthcare settings.