Escitalopram (By mouth)
es-sye-TAL-oh-pram
Treats depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Drug classes
Antianxiety, Antidepressant (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Escitalopram is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medicines work by increasing the activity of the chemical serotonin in the brain.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Liquid, Tablet
Take this medicine as directed. You may need to take it for a month or more before you feel better. Your dose may need to be changed to find out what works best for you.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Do not use this medicine together with pimozide. Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other.
Some medicines can affect how escitalopram works. Tell your doctor if you are using the following:
Buspirone, carbamazepine, cimetidine, fentanyl, lithium, St John’s wort, tramadol, or tryptophan supplements An NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen), triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches, a blood thinner (such as warfarin), or a diuretic (water pill)Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to escitalopram or citalopram.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, glaucoma, heart disease, or a seizure disorder.
For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase mental or emotional problems. This may lead to thoughts of suicide and violence. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Serotonin syndrome (more likely when taken with certain medicines) Low sodium levels Increased risk of bleeding problemsThis medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Your doctor may want to monitor your child’s weight and height, because this medicine may cause decreased appetite and weight loss in children.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Feeling more excited or energetic than usual, racing thoughts, trouble sleeping
Eye pain, vision changes, seeing halos around lights
Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual behavior
Unusual bleeding or bruising
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Dizziness, drowsiness, or sleepiness
Nausea, constipation, diarrhea
Sexual problems
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Lexapro
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
