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| Pronunciation |
|
 (es
sye TAL oh
pram) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Lexapro™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antidepressant, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
If you have an allergy to escitalopram or any other part of this
medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in
the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine,
and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started.
Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.
If you are breast-feeding. |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
This medicine is used to treat
depression. |
|
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| How does it work? |
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Escitalopram increases chemicals in the brain.
In depression, sleep and appetite may improve quickly. Other
depressive symptoms may take up to 4-6 weeks to
improve. |
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| How is it best taken? |
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To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes
an upset stomach. |
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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|
Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider. |
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
If you have seizures or are on seizure medicine, talk with healthcare
provider.
You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines
and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include
sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain
medicine.
If you are taking any natural products, talk with healthcare
provider.
Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant. |
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in
thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require
you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects
you.
Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard
candy, or chewing gum may help.
Diarrhea.
Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum
may help.
Change in sexual ability or desire. This is usually reversible.
Inability to sleep. |
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| What should I monitor? |
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|
Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Very nervous and excitable.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
Store at room temperature.
Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or
kitchen. |
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| General statements |
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Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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