Escitalopram (Systemic)

Brand Names : Lexapro

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For escitalopram, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to escitalopram or citalopram (e.g. Celexa). Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However, studies in animals in medicines similar to this one have shown that it may cause decreased survival rates and slowed growth in offspring when given to the mother in doses many times higher than the usual human dose. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether escitalopram passes into breast milk. A similar drug has been found to pass into breast milk and it may cause unwanted effects, such as drowsiness, decreased feeding, and weight loss in the breast-fed baby. It may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast-feeding during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of escitalopram in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested in elderly patients and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, escitalopram is removed from the body more slowly in older people and an older person may need a lower dose than a younger adult.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking escitalopram, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Alcohol - It is not recommended that alcohol be consumed while taking escitalopram.

• Citalopram (e.g., Celexa) - This medicine is very similar to escitalopram and should not be given at the same time

• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]) - Do not take escitalopram while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking an MAO inhibitor. If you do, you may develop confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, sudden high body temperature, extremely high blood pressure, severe convulsions, or the serotonin syndrome. At least 14 days should pass between stopping treatment with one medicine (escitalopram or the MAO inhibitor) and starting treatment with the other

• Sumatriptan (e.g., Imitrex) - Use with escitalopram may cause certain unwanted side effects and you should be watched by your doctor.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of escitalopram. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diseases affecting metabolism or diseases involving blood circulation - caution should be used in patients with these medical problems

• Drug Abuse, history of - potential for increased dependence on medicine

• Kidney disease, severe - Until enough patients have been evaluated, caution is recommended for patients with severe kidney disease

• Liver disease - Higher blood levels of escitalopram may occur, increasing the chance of having unwanted effects. You may need to take a lower dose than a person without liver disease

• Mania or hypomania (history of) - Use of escitalopram may activate these conditions.

• Seizure disorders (history of) - The risk of having seizures may be increased.