Generic Name: escitalopram

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An SSRI antidepressant - treats Anxiety and Depression

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escitalopram

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(EE si TAL o pram)

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What other drugs will affect escitalopram?

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 escitalopram may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

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

carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
cimetidine (Tagamet);
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
any other antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft); or
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 escitalopram, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect escitalopram. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has information about escitalopram written for health professionals that you may read.

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.

Lexapro 5 mg--white, round, tablets
Lexapro 10 mg-white, round, scored tablets
Lexapro 20 mg-white, round, scored tablets
Lexapro 5 mg/5 mL-peppermint-flavored oral solution

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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FDA Alerts

Suicidality

Antidepressants may increase risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults (18–24 years of age) with major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders; balance this risk with clinical need. Escitalopram is not approved for use in pediatric patients. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)
In pooled data analyses, risk of suicidality was not increased in adults >24 years of age and apparently was reduced in adults ≥65 years of age with antidepressant therapy compared with placebo.
Depression and certain other psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with an increased risk of suicide.
Appropriately monitor and closely observe all patients who are started on escitalopram therapy for clinical worsening, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior; involve family members and/or caregivers in this process. (See Worsening of Depression and Suicidality Risk under Cautions.)

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