
What is Escitalopram?
Escitalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant approved by the FDA to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults and adolescents aged 12–17 years, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults. Escitalopram is also prescribed off-label for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It comes in tablet form and is usually taken once a day, either in the morning or evening, with or without food. Doctors typically start with a 10 mg dose and may increase it to 20 mg if needed.
Common side effects include nausea, sleepiness, dizziness, and changes in appetite. Patients need to inform their doctor about any history of bipolar disorder or the use of certain medications to avoid potential interactions.
Escitalopram can also be beneficial for conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder or panic disorder, although these are off-label uses.
While Escitalopram is sold under the brand names Lexapro and Cipralex, generic versions of escitalopram are also available, providing more affordable options for patients while maintaining the same therapeutic benefits.
Alternative Medications to Escitalopram
When escitalopram proves ineffective or intolerable for managing symptoms, alternative medications are often explored to address the individual’s needs effectively.
Alternative options may include:
- Other SSRIs: sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil).
- SNRIs: venlafaxine (Effexor XR), duloxetine (Cymbalta).
- Atypical antidepressants: bupropion (Wellbutrin XL), mirtazapine (Remeron).
How Does Escitalopram Work?
Escitalopram works by helping to balance certain chemicals in the brain, especially serotonin. It’s part of a group of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. When someone is feeling depressed or overly anxious, their brain may not have enough serotonin, which affects mood.
Escitalopram helps by increasing the levels of serotonin available in the brain, which can improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Dosage Information and Usage
Knowing the right dosage and how to take escitalopram is key for it to work well and be safe.
Dosage form and strengths of Escitalopram
- Escitalopram tablets are available in film-coated, round forms.
- They contain escitalopram oxalate in strengths equivalent to 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg escitalopram base.
- The 10 mg and 20 mg tablets are scored and debossed with either “5”, “10”, or “20” on one side according to their respective strengths and plain on the other side.
Administration of Escitalopram
Take Escitalopram tablets once daily, either in the morning or evening, with or without food. For adolescents starting treatment for major depressive disorder, begin with 10 mg once daily. If needed, this can be increased to 20 mg after at least three weeks.
Adults should also start with 10 mg once daily, with the option to increase to 20 mg after at least one week. Long-term treatment might be necessary to maintain benefits, and 10 or 20 mg/day has proven effective in adults.
Dosage adjustments are recommended for elderly patients and those with liver issues. Follow the prescribed dosage and consult your healthcare provider for any changes or concerns.
Storage Information
To keep escitalopram tablets safe and effective, store them at room temperature between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). It’s okay if the temperature briefly goes between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F), but try to keep it within the recommended range. This helps maintain the quality of the medication so that it works as intended when you need it.
Side Effects of Escitalopram
Understanding the potential side effects of escitalopram tablets is essential for managing your medication safely. While many people tolerate the medication well, it’s crucial to be aware of both common and serious but rare side effects.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Feeling anxious
- Trouble sleeping
- Sexual problems
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Not feeling hungry
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Infection
- Yawning
Serious but Rare Side Effects
- Serotonin Syndrome (racing heartbeat, agitation, fever, sweating)
- Severe allergic reactions (trouble breathing, swelling of the face, rash)
- Abnormal bleeding
- Seizures or convulsions
- Manic episodes (increased energy, reckless behavior)
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Low sodium levels in the blood (headache, weakness)
- Visual problems (eye pain, changes in vision)
- Sexual dysfunction (delayed ejaculation, decreased sex drive)
Warnings and Precautions
Taking escitalopram tablets requires certain precautions to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Boxed Warnings for Escitalopram
It’s important to know that escitalopram tablets carry a boxed warning, which is the strongest warning from the FDA.
This warning is about the increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults who take antidepressants.
These thoughts and behaviors can occur especially during the first few months of treatment or when the dose changes. Escitalopram tablets are not approved for use in children under 12 years of age.
General Precautions for Escitalopram Medication
- Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors: It’s important to keep a close watch on all patients, especially young people, for signs of worsening depression or suicidal thoughts and behaviors, particularly in the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. Some antidepressants, like escitalopram tablets, may increase these risks, especially in young people.
- Serotonin Syndrome: This rare but serious condition can occur when taking escitalopram alone or with other drugs affecting serotonin. Serotonin regulates mood in the brain. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include agitation, hallucinations, excessive sweating, fast heartbeat, and muscle twitching. Do not take escitalopram with other serotonin-affecting medications without consulting your healthcare provider.
- Discontinuation Symptoms: When stopping escitalopram tablets, some people may experience withdrawal symptoms like feeling dizzy, irritable, or having mood changes. To minimize these effects, gradually reducing the dose under medical supervision is recommended. This helps your body adjust to not having the medication.
- Seizures: While escitalopram tablets haven’t been thoroughly studied in patients with a history of seizures, caution is advised when prescribing them to such individuals.
- Manic Episodes: Escitalopram tablets may trigger manic or hypomanic episodes in people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
- Hyponatremia: This is when the level of sodium in your blood becomes too low. Sodium is an important electrolyte that helps regulate the amount of water in and around your cells. Symptoms of hyponatremia include headaches, confusion, weakness, and feeling unsteady. Elderly patients or those taking diuretics (medications that increase urine production) may be at greater risk of developing hyponatremia.
- Abnormal Bleeding: SSRIs like escitalopram tablets may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly when taken with other blood-thinning medications. This can lead to easy bruising or bleeding from small cuts.
- Cognitive and Motor Impairment: While escitalopram tablets generally don’t impair cognitive (thinking) or motor (movement) function, caution is advised when operating machinery until you know how the medication affects you. This is because any medication that affects the brain may cause changes in thinking or coordination.
- Angle Closure Glaucoma: Escitalopram tablets can cause pupil dilation, which may trigger an angle closure attack in people with narrow angles in their eyes. Angle-closure glaucoma is a serious eye condition where the pressure inside the eye increases suddenly, leading to severe eye pain, blurred vision, and possible vision loss.
- Concurrent Illness: Use caution when prescribing escitalopram tablets to patients with certain medical conditions, including liver or kidney impairment, recent heart attacks, or unstable heart disease. “Concomitant illness” means having more than one illness or medical condition at the same time. It’s important to be careful when using escitalopram tablets in patients with these conditions because the medication may affect how their bodies function.
- Dose-dependent QT interval prolongation: This can increase the risk of arrhythmias (Torsades de Pointes). This risk is greater at doses >20 mg/day or in patients with underlying heart conditions.
Overdosage of Escitalopram
If too many escitalopram oxalate tablets are taken, serious symptoms may occur. These can include seizures, coma, and heart problems like abnormal rhythms and blood pressure changes.
Immediate medical help is crucial if an overdose is suspected. Extended heart monitoring is recommended due to the risk of irregular heartbeats, and activated charcoal may be used early on to cleanse the digestive system.
Healthcare professionals may also consult poison control centers or toxicology experts for guidance on managing escitalopram oxalate overdoses.
Drug Interactions With Other Medications
When taking escitalopram, it’s important to know about possible interactions with other medications. These can impact how the drugs work and might increase the risk of side effects.
Here are some key drug interactions to be aware of:
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): Combining escitalopram with MAOIs can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening reactions, including serotonin syndrome. Follow dosage instructions carefully and avoid using these medications together.
- Serotonergic Drugs: Similar to MAOIs, combining escitalopram with other serotonergic drugs can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
- Triptans: There have been rare reports of serotonin syndrome when SSRIs like escitalopram are taken with triptans, which are used to treat migraines. Careful observation is advised if combined treatment is necessary.
- CNS Drugs: Since escitalopram affects the central nervous system, caution should be exercised when taking it alongside other drugs that also act on the CNS to avoid excessive sedation or other adverse effects.
- Alcohol: While escitalopram itself may not directly increase the effects of alcohol, using alcohol while taking this medication is generally not recommended due to potential interactions and increased risk of side effects.
- Drugs That Interfere With Hemostasis (NSAIDs, Aspirin, Warfarin, etc.): Escitalopram may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with medications that affect blood clotting, such as NSAIDs, aspirin, or warfarin.
- Other Medications (Cimetidine, Digoxin, Lithium, Pimozide, Sumatriptan, Theophylline, and Others): These medications may interact with escitalopram in various ways, affecting their respective levels in the body. Close monitoring and potential dosage adjustments may be necessary when using them together with escitalopram.
Buy Escitalopram: Price & Coupons
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However, there is a cost-effective solution available through Pharma Giant (PG). By obtaining a prescription from a doctor, Americans can purchase Escitalopram online securely and conveniently. At Pharma Giant, the price for Escitalopram is significantly lower, available starting at $21.99 per 30 tablets. This presents a substantial saving opportunity for those requiring this medication.
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Disclaimer
Pharma Giant provides medical information to help you better understand medications and medical conditions.This content is for informational use only and does not replace advice from a licensed medical practitioner. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing any medication. All our partners follow strict safety standards set by their country’s health authorities to make sure you receive safe and high-quality medications.






