Lexapro (escitalopram)

Bertroche & Associates

A Brief Overview

LEXAPRO (escitalopram)

J. Patrick Bertroche, D.O.

Steven R. Morris, MS-III

GUIDE:

1. What is Lexapro?

2. What is the most important information I should know about Lexapro?

3. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Lexapro?

4. How should I take Lexapro?

5. What happens if I miss a dose?

6. What happens if I overdose?

7. What should I avoid while taking Lexapro?

8. What are the possible side effects of Lexapro?

9. What other drugs will affect Lexapro?

10. Where can I get more information?

11. What are the different dosages of Lexapro?

WHAT IS LEXAPRO?

· Lexapro is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety.

· Lexapro is used to treat anxiety and major depressive disorder.

· Lexapro may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEXAPRO:

· Do not take Lexapro together with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take Lexapro. After you stop taking Lexapro, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI.

· You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old, or have been misdiagnosed with depression when in fact you may have bipolar disorder. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment with Lexapro. Lexapro is approved for use in children and adolescents for depression.

· Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

· SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking Lexapro, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor.

BEFORE TAKING LEXAPRO:

· Do not use Lexapro if you are using an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam). Serious and sometimes fatal reactions can occur when these medicines are taken with Lexapro. You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you can take escitalopram. After you stop taking Lexapro, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI.

· Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

o liver or kidney disease;

o seizures or epilepsy;

o bipolar disorder (manic depression); or

o a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.

· If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Lexapro.

· You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Tell your doctor if you have worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.

· Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment with Lexapro.

· FDA pregnancy category C. SSRI antidepressants may cause serious or life-threatening lung problems in newborn babies whose mothers take the medication during pregnancy. However, you may have a relapse of depression if you stop taking your antidepressant during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking Lexapro, do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. Escitalopram can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give Lexapro to anyone younger than 18 years old without the advice of a doctor.

HOW SHOULD I TAKE LEXAPRO?

· Take Lexapro exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication.

· Take each dose of Lexapro with a full glass of water.

· Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

· To be sure you get the correct dose of liquid Lexapro, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

· It may take 4 weeks or longer before you start feeling better. Do not stop using Lexapro without first talking to your doctor. You may have unpleasant side effects if you stop taking this medication suddenly. Store Lexapro at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS A DOSE?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.

· Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I OVERDOSE?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, tremor, sweating, rapid heartbeat, confusion, dizziness, seizures, and coma.

WHAT SHOULD I AVOID WHILE TAKING LEXAPRO?

· Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with escitalopram may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

· Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Lexapro. Lexapro can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

· Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Lexapro.

LEXAPRO SIDE EFFECTS:

· Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

· Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

o very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes;

o nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination; or

o headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops.

· Less serious Lexapro side effects may include:

o drowsiness, dizziness;

o sleep problems (insomnia);

o mild nausea, gas, heartburn, upset stomach, constipation;

o weight changes;

o decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or

o dry mouth, yawning, ringing in your ears.

WHAT OTHER DRUGS WILL AFFECT LEXAPRO?

· Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others. Taking any of these drugs with Lexapro may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

· Before taking Lexapro, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

o carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);

o cimetidine (Tagamet);

o lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);

o a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

o any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft); or

o almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig).

· If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Lexapro, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

· Your pharmacist can provide more information about Lexapro.

WHAT DOES MY MEDICATION LOOK LIKE?

· Escitalopram is available with a prescription under the brand name Lexapro. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

o Lexapro 5 mg - white, round, tablets

o Lexapro 10 mg - white, round, scored tablets

o Lexapro 20 mg - white, round, scored tablets

o Lexapro 5 mg/5 mL - peppermint-flavored oral solution

WORKS CITED: