Escitalopram : Before Using

Escitalopram - Systemic

Brand Names

Lexapro Escitalopram *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to use a drug, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For escitalopram, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to escitalopram or citalopram - e.g. Celexa. Also tell your family doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However, studies in pets in medication similar to this one have shown that it may cause decreased survival rates and slowed growth in offspring when given to the mother in doses many times higher than the usual human dose. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding problem

It is not known whether escitalopram passes into breast milk. A similar drug has been found to pass into breast milk and it may cause unwanted effects, such as drowsiness, decreased feeding and weight loss in the breast-fed baby. It may be necessary for you to take another drug or to stop breast-feeding during treat. Be sure you have discussed the chance and benefits of the drug with your family doctor.

Use for Children

Studies on this drug have been done only in adult diseaseds and there is no special info comparing use of escitalopram in child with use in other age groups.

Elderly care

This drug has been tested in elderly diseaseds and has not been shown to cause various side effects or problems in older people than it does in adults people. However, escitalopram is removed from the body more slowly in elderly people and an older person may need a lower dose than a younger adult.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking escitalopram, it is especially important that your family doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

Alcohol It is not recommended that alcohol be consumed while taking escitalopram.

Citalopram - Celexa This drug is very similar to escitalopram and must not be given at the same time

Monoamine oxidase - MAO inhibitor activity - isocarboxazid " Marplan ", phenelzine " Nardil ", procarbazine " Matulane ", selegiline " Eldepryl ", tranylcypromine " Parnate " Do not take escitalopram while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking an MAO inhibitor. If you do, you may develop confusion, agitation, restlessness, stomach or intestinal symptoms, sudden high body temperature, extremely high blood pressure, severe convulsions, or the serotonin syndrome. At least 14 days must pass between stopping treat with one drug - escitalopram or the MAO inhibitor and starting treat with the other

Sumatriptan - Imitrex Use with escitalopram may cause certain unwanted side effects and you must be watched by your family doctor.

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of escitalopram. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Diseases effecting metabolism or diseases involving blood circulation caution must be using in diseaseds with these medical problems

Drug Abuse, history of potential for increased dependence on drug

Kidney disease, severe Until enough diseaseds have been evaluated, caution is recommended for diseaseds with severe kidney disease

Liver disease Higher blood levels of escitalopram may occur, increasing the risk of having unwanted effects. You may need to take a lower dose than a person without liver disease

Mania or hypomania - history of Use of escitalopram may activate these conditions.

Seizure disorders - history of The risk of having seizures may be increased.