Lexapro

Generic Name: Escitalopram

US Brand Name: Lexapro

Other Brand/Trade Names: Escitalopram is also available under the brand names Cipralex, Sipralex, Sipralexa and Seroplex.

Uses

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).

Active Ingredients: escitalopram oxalate

Inactive Ingredients: talc, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose/colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate

Dosage and Forms

Escitalopram comes as tablets or as an oral solution. In our on-line pharmacy Escitalopram is available as a tablet 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. Take Escitalopram exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication. Symptoms of an Escitalopram overdose may include nausea, vomiting, tremor, sweating, rapid heartbeat, confusion, dizziness, seizures, and coma.

Contraindications and Precautions

Do not use Escitalopram if:
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Escitalopram
• you are taking citalopram
• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine), selegiline, or St. John's wort within the last 14 days
• you are taking a fenfluramine derivative (eg, dexfenfluramine), an H1 antagonist (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), nefazodone, pimozide, or sibutramine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Side Effects

Like the most of medicines Escitalopram may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: nausea; diarrhea; constipation; changes in sex drive or ability; drowsiness; increased sweating; dizziness; heartburn; stomach pain; excessive tiredness; dry mouth; increased appetite; flu-like symptoms; runny nose; sneezing. Some side effects can be serious. If you experience either of the following symptoms call your doctor immediately: unusual excitement; seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating).

Interactions

Taking certain medications with this product could result in serious (rarely fatal) drug interactions. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors with Escitalopram for 2 weeks before treatment, during treatment, or for 2 weeks after your last dose of Escitalopram. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: pimozide, tryptophan, weight loss drugs. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Escitalopram. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: desipramine, metoprolol, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide), drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (e.g., aspirin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, "blood thinners" such as heparin/warfarin).