Escitalopram

Escitalopram is an antidepressant which is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. It helps in optimizing the serotonin levels in the body. This belongs to the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

This medication can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors especially amongst teenagers, children, and young adults if taken in excess amounts. Hence, this drug should only be taken under a doctor’s prescription.

This medication is normally prescribed to be taken once a day. The usual dose is 10-20 mg for adults as well as children. It is not suitable for everyone as it might cause harmful effects on people suffering from certain conditions.

If you are suffering from irregular heartbeats or are allergic to certain ingredients present in the medicine, it is advisable to consult with the doctor first. Also, this medication might have a harmful effect on a pregnant woman. Consult with the doctor if you have a history of liver disease or kidney disease.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Ocd)

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.

• Allergy

• Nursing Mothers

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.

• Diarrhoea

• Chills

• Headache

• Chest Pain

• Shortness Of Breath

• Change In Taste

• Abdominal Pain

• Acid Or Sour Stomach

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.

• How long is the duration of effect?

  This medicine is excreted mainly through urine and the effect lasts for a duration of approximately 4 to 8 hours.

• What is the onset of action?

  The peak effect of this medication (the main constituent of Escitalopram) can be observed within 2 to 3 hours after the oral dose, 15 to 60 minutes after an Intramuscular dose and 2 to 3 minutes after Intravenous dose.

• Are there any pregnancy warnings?

  Sufficient data is not available for the use of this medicine in pregnant women.

• Is it habit forming?

  No habit forming tendency has been reported.

• Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

  Small amounts of this medication is excreted in human breast milk.

• Is It safe with alcohol?

  This medicine is unsafe to consume with alcohol. Patient must avoid alcohol while taking this medication.

• Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

  This medicine cause side effects that affects the alertness and hence the driving ability of the patient.

• Does this affect kidney function?

  Caution must be taken in patients .with kidney disease. Adjustment of dose might be needed. Kindly consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

• Does this affect liver function?

  Caution must be taken in patients .with liver disease. Adjustment of dose might be needed. Kindly consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.

• Are there any missed dose instructions?

  The missed dose should be taken as soon possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it's already time for your next scheduled dose.

• Are there any overdose instructions?

  Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.

• India

• United States

• Japan

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.

Below is the list of medicines, which contains Escitalopram as ingredient

• Feliz S 5 MG Tablet

  Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Etilopram 5 MG Tablet

  Macleods Pharmaceuticals Pvt.Ltd

• Feliz S 10 MG Tablet

  Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Ezeepam 5 MG Tablet

  Eris Life Sciences Pvt Ltd

• Escigress 5 MG Tablet

  La Renon

• Escigress 10 MG Tablet

  La Renon

• Esopam 10 MG Tablet

  Jb Chemicals

• Cilentra 5 MG Tablet

  Strides Shasun Limited

• Escitlocad 5 MG Tablet

  Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Depranex 5 MG Tablet

  Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.

This medication is a selective inhibitor of serotonin (5-HT) re-uptake with high affinity for the primary binding site. It also binds to an allosteric site on the serotonin transporter, with a 1000 fold lower affinity.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Psychiatrist before using this medicine.

Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

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• Interaction with Alcohol

  Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

• Interaction with Lab Test

  Ferricyanide test

  Inform the doctor if you are advised for this test when you are on it.

• Interaction with Medicine

  Cholera Vaccine

  Avoid cholera vaccine if the patient has received Escitalopram within 14 days before vaccination. Usage of other antibiotics and vaccines should be reported to the doctor.

  Ethinyl Estradiol

  The desired effect of contraceptive pills will not achieve if these medicines are used together. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement of the medicine should be made under the doctor's supervision.

  Amikacin

  You may experience nausea or vomiting, increased or decreased urination, sudden weight gain, and fluid retention if these medicines are used together. This interaction is more likely to occur if you have a kidney disease. Regular kidney function tests are to be performed and appropriate dose adjustments or replacement of the medicine should be made under the doctor's supervision.

  Furosemide

  You may experience nausea or vomiting, increased or decreased urination, sudden weight gain, and fluid retention if these medicines are used together. This interaction is more likely to occur in the elderly population with preexisting kidney disease. Regular kidney function tests are to be performed and appropriate dose adjustments or replacement of the medicine should be made under the doctor's supervision.

  Chloramphenicol

  The desired effect of it will not achieve if these medicines are used together. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement of the medicine should be made under the doctor's supervision.

• Interaction with Disease

  Colitis

  Avoid if you experience severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood in stools after taking it. Inform the doctor if you have any gastrointestinal diseases. Drink adequate amount of water to prevent dehydration.

  Liver Disease

  Use with caution if you have any liver disease or a family history of liver disease. Regular liver function tests are to be performed. Inform the doctor if you have any liver disease or if you develop any undesired effect.

  Seizure Disorders

  Use with caution if you have any seizure disorder or a family history of seizures. Appropriate dose adjustments are to be made if you have a kidney disease. Discontinue if seizures are due to it. Start with appropriate Anticonvulsant medicine if it is clinically indicated.

• Ques : What is Escitalopram?

  Ans : This medication enhances mood and physical symptoms in depression, relieves symptoms of panic and obsessive disorders.

• Ques : How long do I need to use Escitalopram before I see improvement in my condition?

  Ans : This medication is to be taken till the time you see an improvement in your health conditions.

• Ques : At what frequency do I need to use Escitalopram?

  Ans : This medication should be taken in the dosage as prescribed by the doctor.

• Ques : Should I use Escitalopram empty stomach, before food or after food?

  Ans : This medication should be taken after food in a prescribed dosage.

• Ques : What are the instructions for the storage and disposal of Escitalopram?

  Ans : This medication should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original pack. Make sure this medication remains unreachable to children and pets.

• Ques : What are the uses of Escitalopram?

  Ans : Escitalopram is used to treat conditions such as Generalized anxiety disorder and Depression.

• Ques : What are the side effects of Escitalopram?

  Ans : Escitalopram is a medication that has some commonly reported side effects like Confusion, Convulsions, Decreased urine output, Fast heartbeat, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dry mouth, Excessive air or gas in the stomach, Decreased appetite, and Joint pain.

• Ques : How does Escitalopram take work?

  Ans : Escitalopram acts as an SSRIs(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and works by increasing concentration in our brain which causes mood elevation.

• Ques : What precautions should you take while using Escitalopram?

  Ans : Escitalopram should be used with some precautions. Patients should not use Escitalopram during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Patients suffering from heart problems, high cholesterol, liver diseases and kidney disorders should avoid using this medication.

• Ques : Can I take Escitalopram with coffee?

  Ans : No severe interaction has been found if coffee is consumed with Escitalopram. However, high caffeine intake may cause restlessness.

• Ques : Why does Escitalopram cause nausea?

  Ans : Escitalopram functions by enhancing the activity of serotonin, a compound that might induce vomiting.

• Ques : Does Escitalopram cause hair loss?

  Ans : Some studies reveal that Escitalopram can lead to hair loss. Exercise caution and consult a doctor if you face extreme hair loss.

• Ques : How to manage weight gain associated with the use of Escitalopram?

  Ans : This drug can cause weight gain, hence a good lifestyle pattern should be followed which includes having a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

• Ques : Can I stop taking Escitalopram when my symptoms are relieved?

  Ans : Do not stop taking this medicine without informing your doctor as this may worsen your condition.

• Ques : Can the use of Escitalopram cause sleepiness?

  Ans : Yes, this medication can cause sleepiness, hence one must not drive after taking this medicine.

• Ques : Is Escitalopram better taken at night or in the morning?

  Ans : It is generally taken once a day in the morning, however you must consult a doctor to know the dose and duration of this drug.

• Escitalopram- Drug Information Portal [Internet]. druginfo.nlm.nih.gov. 2021 [Cited 23 Nov 2021]. Available from:

  https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/escitalopram

• ESCITALOPRAM- escitslopram tablet- Daily Med [Internet]. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2020 [Cited 24 Nov 2021]. Available from:

  https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=41f7392a-1f5c-4542-9c5c-f9e109851381

• Cipralex 5 mg film-coated tablets- EMC [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. 2020 [Cited 24 Nov 2021]. Available from:

  https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4307/smpc