Lexapro

Drug name

Lexapro (Escitalopram)

Drug Uses

Lexapro is intended to treat conditions of depression and anxiety. However your doctor may prescribe this medicine for treating other conditions as well.

How Taken

Strictly follow the directions of your doctor when using this medicine.

• Carefully read the information paper enclosed with the medicine
• It is permitted to take Lexapro with food as well as without it. However in case you experience pain in stomach take the medicine during the meal.
• The result can show up only after several weeks of the therapy.
• Don’t forget to take the medication and don’t stop the therapy in case you feel yourself much better.

Consult you doctor in case you are not sure about the medicine use.

Missed Dose

In case you have missed to take the medicine do it at the moment you have remembered but skip it in case it is the time of your next dosage and follow your usual schedule. You shouldn’t use double dose simultaneously.

Storage

Keep the medicine at the temperature of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). It should be kept in the cool, dry and dark place. It can be stored at the temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) for a short period of time. It shouldn’t be kept in the bathroom. Store the medicine beyond the reach of the children and pets.

Warnings Precautions

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

The Lexapro is prohibited to you in case:

• you experience allergy to the medicine’s components or citalopram;
• you have used monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within last 2 weeks;
• you are using citalopram, linezolid, pimozide, selegiline, tramadol, or any weight loss medicines (e.g., phentermine).

In case any of these matters can be associated with you consult you doctor.

Operate any machine with caution when using the medicine. Don’t take the Lexapro along with other antidepressants or alcohol as it can increase the effect of those medicines and alcohol. Antidepressants can cause suicidal thoughts in young patients. Consult you doctor at once you experience: depression, anxiety, restlessness or irritability, panic attacks, thoughts or attempts of suicide, or other unusual changes in behavior or mood. It is not recommended for children. Patients in ages can be more sensitive to the medicine. Consult your doctor before taking the Lexapro during the pregnancy and breast-feeding periods.

Possible Side Effects

Taking the medicine can cause such side effects as: back pain; constipation; decreased sex drive; diarrhea; delay in ejaculation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; impotence; increased sweating; lack of orgasms; loss of appetite; nausea; trouble sleeping; unusual fatigue; upset stomach; vomiting. Contact you doctor in case you experience one of those side effects.

Search for first medical aid in case you experience: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; anxiety; black or tarry stools; changes in amount of urine; chest pain; hostility; impulsiveness; irritability; mania; muscle cramps; painful or prolonged erection; panic attacks; restlessness; seizures; sleeplessness; stomach pain; suicidal thoughts; thoughts of hurting yourself; uncontrolled movements (tremors); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual or severe mental/mood changes; unusually fast or slow heartbeat; vision changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; worsening of depression.

More Information

Do not give this drug to the patients that have no directions to use the drug. Contact your doctor in case your condition remains the same or get worse.