Details

Escitalopram is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Escitalopram affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression or anxiety. Escitalopram is used to treat anxiety in adults. Escitalopram is also used to treat major depressive disorder in adults and adolescents who are at least 12 years old. To make sure escitalopram is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease seizures or epilepsy diabetes narrow-angle glaucoma heart disease bipolar disorder (manic depression) or a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts. Taking an SSRI antidepressant during pregnancy may cause serious lung problems or other complications in the baby.

Typical Uses

Escitalopram is used to treat depression and anxiety. It works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (serotonin) in the brain. Escitalopram belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). It may improve your energy level and feelings of well-being and decrease nervousness. Escitalopram may also be used to treat other mental/mood disorders (such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder) and hot flashes that occur with menopause.

Side Effects

Inform any worsening symptoms to your doctor such as mood or behaviour 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. Other side effects of escitalopram include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite racing thoughts, unusual risk-taking behaviour, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness low levels of sodium in the body-headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady or severe nervous system reaction-very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Drug Interactions

• Escitalopram+5-hydroxytryptophan- Using 5-hydroxytryptophan together with escitalopram is generally not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

• Escitalopram+abarelix- Using escitalopram together with abarelix can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.

• Escitalopram+amitriptyline- Using escitalopram together with amitriptyline can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death.

• Escitalopram+bedaquiline- Using escitalopram together with bedaquiline can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other

Mechanism of action

Escitalopram belongs to a class of antidepressant medications called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Escitalopram acts on the serotonin-system in the brain and increases the serotonin levels (chemical responsible for maintaining good mental health), thereby regulating mood.

Pregnancy Category : C