Escitalopram

Description

Escitalopram is an antidepressant medicine used in the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorders (persistent and excessive worry about everyday issues and situations). It works by increasing the amount of a natural substance (serotonin) in your brain that helps maintain mental balance. Escitalopram may cause some common side effects like nausea, fatigue, confusion, dizziness and change in sex drive or ability. Inform your doctor if you notice any changes in your behaviour. Escitalopram may cause sleepiness, hence it is advised that you avoid driving vehicles or operating machines. Escitalopram can be taken with or without food. The dose and duration will be decided by your doctor based on your clinical condition. Your doctor may start the treatment on a lower dose and increase it gradually. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like mood changes, irritability, dizziness, numbness in the hands or feet, and difficulty in falling asleep. Escitalopram is not recommended in children below 12 years of age. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine. Inform your doctor of all your medications and your medical history as it may be vital to create a safe and effective treatment plan.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Escitalopram

  • Confusion
  • Convulsions
  • Decreased urine output
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Dry mouth
  • Excessive air or gas in stomach
  • Decreased appetite
  • Joint pain

Uses of Escitalopram

What is it prescribed for?

  • Generalized anxiety disorder
  • Depression
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The peak effect of Escitalopram can be observed in three to four hours of administration of the dose.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of Escitalopram lasts for a duration of four to five days.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Escitalopram as it may increase the risk of side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, sweating, muscle stiffness, light-headedness, etc.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported for Escitalopram.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Escitalopram is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Escitalopram passes into breastmilk and may cause side effects in your baby. This medicine is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding.

Allergy

Avoid taking Escitalopram if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)are a class of medicines used to treat depression. Escitalopram is not recommended for use if you have taken MAOIs within the last 14 days due to the increased risk of serious side effects.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Escitalopram is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding

Escitalopram passes into breastmilk and may cause side effects in your baby. This medicine is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings

Use in children

Escitalopram is not recommended for children under 12 years of age due to a lack of safety and efficacy data.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve (the nerve connecting the eye to the brain) is damaged, usually due to high pressure within your eyeballs. Escitalopram should be used with caution if you have a history of glaucoma as this medicine may increase the pressure within your eyeballs. Your doctor may periodically monitor your intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye) during treatment with this medicine.

Suicidal tendency

Escitalopram should be used with caution due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Closely monitor for any change in behaviour or mood while taking this medicine. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any change in behaviour or suicidal thoughts.

Driving or operating machines

Escitalopram may increase your risk of dizziness and sleepiness. Avoid driving or operating machines if you experience these symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms

Escitalopram should not be discontinued suddenly as it may result in withdrawal symptoms such as headache, weakness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, irritability. etc. Gradual dose reduction should be done over a period under your doctor's supervision.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Escitalopram, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose of Escitalopram.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Escitalopram as it may increase the risk of side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, sweating, muscle stiffness, light-headedness, etc.
Interaction with Medicine

Clarithromycin

Ketoconazole

sulfonylureas

Diuretics

Disease interactions

Seizure disorders

Seizure is a condition that occurs due to disturbed nerve cell activity in your brain resulting in abnormal behaviour and loss of consciousness. Escitalopram should be used with caution if you have a history of seizures as this medicine may trigger seizures.

Impaired kidney function

If you have any kidney problems, maintain caution while taking Escitalopram due to the risk of worsening your health condition. Your kidney functions need to be monitored closely while you take this medicine.

Impaired liver function

Escitalopram should be taken with caution if you have active liver problems. This medicine gets broken down and absorbed in your liver and an impaired liver can lead to the accumulation of this medicine and cause unwanted effects. Your liver functions will be monitored closely while you take this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Escitalopram with or without food. Do not take in larger amounts than prescribed. Consult your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Escitalopram works by increasing the amount of a chemical substance in your brain which helps in maintaining mental balance.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Schedule

Schedule H

Drugs, H., 2021. Escitalopram: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603005.html>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - ESCITALOPRAM- escitalopram oxalate tablet, film coatedESCITALOPRAM- escitalopram oxalate tablet, film coated. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 14 October 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2db02476-325f-ee47-a7e5-b5aed56c364c>

Escitalopram: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 1 March 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603005.html

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 December 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7059.pdf>

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Information on this page was last updated on 17 Jan 2022

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.