Provided by You Health for patients

In this medication overview

1. Usage

   How to get the most out of your treatment

2. Warnings

   Important safety information

3. Side Effects

   What to look out for when using your treatment

Usage

1. To get started, follow your provider's dosing instructions
   If you are not already taking escitalopram, your provider will likely want you to begin by taking a starting dose for the first 7 days or the first 4 weeks depending on the pill strength prescribed. Be sure to follow the instructions your provider sent to help your body safely adjust to escitalopram.
2. Miss a dose?
   If you miss a dose of Escitalopram, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.
3. Continue medication as prescribed
   Do not abruptly stop taking escitalopram or change your dose without talking with your healthcare provider first, even when you feel better. Studies have shown that a taper can reduce possible side-effects caused by stopping the medication abruptly. Abruptly stopping can cause discontinuation symptoms including: vomiting, irritability, dizziness, headaches, sensation of tingling skin, or nightmares. Studies have shown that a taper can reduce possible discontinuation symptoms. Your healthcare provider can provide individualized guidance on tapering your medication. Here are some general guidelines.
   
   If you are taking 20 mg of escitalopram, take a ½ tablet (10 mg) for a week, then a ¼ tablet (5 mg) for a week (you may need a pill splitter), then you may stop your medication.
   
   If you are taking 15 mg of escitalopram (three 5 mg tablets), take two tablets (10 mg) for a week, then one tablet for a week (5 mg), then you may stop your medication.
   
   If you are taking 10 mg of escitalopram, take a ½ tablet (5 mg) for a week, then you may stop your medication.
   
   If you are taking 5 mg of escitalopram, you probably don’t require a taper. If you like, you can take a ½ tablet for a week before stopping.
   
   Your healthcare provider can also provide individualized guidance for tapering your medication.
4. Monitor for improvements
   Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.

Warnings

SUICIDALITY AND ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take Escitalopram if you:

• Are allergic to Escitalopram, or any of the ingredients in Escitalopram
• Take any medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or if you have stopped taking an MAOI in the last 14 days
• Take St John’s Wort or 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
• Also take pimozide (Orap) or citalopram (Celexa)
• Are drinking alcohol
• Are using or abusing recreation drugs or prescription medications

Before you take Escitalopram, tell your healthcare provider if you:

• Have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
• Have a history of psychiatric or medical problems, including bipolar disorder
• Have taken any medication in the past for your condition, whether effective or not
• Have suffered adverse or side effects from previous medication therapies
• Are receiving any non-medication treatment, such as talk therapy
• Drink alcohol or use/abuse recreational or prescription drugs
• Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding

Inform your healthcare provider

Escitalopram may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way Escitalopram works, causing side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following:

• Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac)
• Warfarin or other anticoagulants
• Any other serotonergic medications, migraine medications (triptans), pain medications (tramadol), antibiotic linezolid, amphetamines

Escitalopram may increase the risk of bleeding when taking blood thinners or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you are currently taking blood thinners or NSAIDs, we strongly recommend that you inform your primary care provider that you have started taking this mental health medication and be sure to report any signs of abnormal bleeding to your provider, such as bleeding gums, unexplained bruising, or black, tarry stools.

Medication disposal

If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can visit FDA- Disposal of Unused Medicines for more information or follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:

• Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
• Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
• Throw away the container in your trash at home; and
• Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.

Side effects

Escitalopram can cause serious side effects and should be reported to your provider immediately. Rarely reported side effects include:

• Increased bleeding (gums)
• Low sodium blood levels (symptoms may include headache, weakness and difficulty remembering or concentrating)
• Teeth grinding
• Seizure
• Angle closure glaucoma (symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include eye pain, changes in vision, swelling or redness in or around eye)
• Serotonin syndrome (symptoms may include shivering, diarrhea, confusion, severe muscle tightness, fever, seizures, and death)

During treatment with this medication, common side effects of this medication may go away as your body adjusts to the medication. The most common side effects of Escitalopram are:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Increased sweating
• Feeling nervous
• Restless
• Fatigued
• Sleepy or having trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Sexual side effects, such as problems with orgasm or ejaculatory delay often do not diminish over time

Where to find more side effects information