Type of medicine: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); antidepressant
Generic and brand names: escitalopram, oral; Lexapro
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat:
It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Do not take this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor antidepressant in the last 2 weeks. Serious side effects can occur. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Do not take citalopram (Celexa) while taking this medicine.
Do not take pimozide (Orap) while taking this medicine.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed. Taking too much can increase the risk of side effects. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may need to reduce your dosage slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
An adult should supervise the use of this medicine by a child.
This medicine comes in the form of tablets and liquid. You may take this medicine with or without food. Take it at the same time each day.
If you have the liquid form of this medicine, use a special measuring device rather than a common kitchen spoon to make sure you are getting the right dose.
Your healthcare provider will want to see you regularly to check your response to this medicine and to see if your dosage needs to be changed. It may take some time for you to feel better. Do not stop taking the medicine until your healthcare provider tells you to do so. You may have to take this medicine for 4 weeks or more to feel its full effects.
Do not miss a dose. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, tremors, sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, confusion, dizziness, seizures, decreased urination, coma.
Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Call your child's healthcare provider right away if you notice:
This medicine may cause serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening. It may be caused by taking this medicine with other medicines. These medicines include other antidepressants, medicines to treat migraines, pain medicines, some cough medicines, St. John’s wort, and others. Make sure that your providers know ALL of the medicines that you take.
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have:
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
This medicine may increase the effects of alcohol and interact with many other medicines. Do not drink alcohol or take any other medicine, including nonprescription products or natural remedies, unless your healthcare provider approves.
Occasionally, this medicine can cause some sexual problems. Ask your healthcare provider about this.
Adults over the age of 65 may be more sensitive to this medicine and may require a different dosage.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat)
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Thoughts of suicide; worsening depression; seizures; severe nervousness; rash; fainting; severe headache; hallucinations; slurred speech; severe confusion; fast heartbeat; unusual bleeding or bruising; black or tarry stools.
Other: Headache, loss of appetite, weight loss or gain, drowsiness, stomach pain, weakness, nausea, vomiting, shaking, trouble sleeping, dizziness, dry mouth, cough, runny nose, constipation, sweating, diarrhea, restlessness, rash, itching, change in sex drive or ability, muscle or joint pain, fever, increased yawning.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
