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EspañolEscitalopram Oxalate overview
BRAND NAMES:
Lexapro
Generic Names:
Escitalopram oxalate (escitalopram)
Uses:
Treats depression in adults and adolescents 12 years and older
Treats generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults and children 7 years and older
Therapeutic Classes:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant
Forms:
Liquid, Tablet
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What is Escitalopram Oxalate used for?
Escitalopram is a medication used to treat depression and anxiety. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Escitalopram works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, that is associated with calmness and a happy mood.
Lexapro is the brand-name version of the generic drug escitalopram. This drug was approved by the FDA for depression in 2002 and for anxiety in 2003. Escitalopram is commonly used in combination with therapy to treat depression and anxiety.
What form(s) does Escitalopram Oxalate come in
Tablet
5 mg
10 mg
20 mg
Liquid
5 mg/5 mL
What are common Escitalopram Oxalate doses?
Escitalopram doses for major depressive disorder (depression) in adults and adolescents 12 years and older, as well as for general anxiety disorder in adults and children 7 years and older, are the same:
The starting dose is 10 mg by mouth once daily.
The recommended dose is 10 mg by mouth once daily.
The maximum dose is 20 mg by mouth once daily. For older adults, the maximum dose is 10 mg by mouth once daily.
Escitalopram can be taken with or without food.
When the medicine is discontinued, the healthcare professional will provide the patient with a tapering schedule to come off the medication slowly and safely, reducing the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Common Escitalopram Oxalate prescriptions
Escitalopram Oxalate
240ml of 5mg/5ml bottleEscitalopram Oxalate
30 tablets punchcardEscitalopram Oxalate
10mg tabletEscitalopram Oxalate
20mg tabletEscitalopram Oxalate
5mg tablet
How to take Escitalopram Oxalate
Take this medicine as directed. You may need to take it for a month or more before you feel better. Your dose may need to be gradually increased by the healthcare provider to find the dose that works best for you.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a medicine measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Do not use household measuring devices to measure medication.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one. Read the information carefully and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep out of reach and out of sight of children and pets.
What to do if you miss a dose of Escitalopram Oxalate
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Escitalopram Oxalate contraindications
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you are allergic to escitalopram, citalopram, or any ingredient in the medication.
Do not take escitalopram if you have taken a drug in the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) drug class in the past 14 days.
Escitalopram Oxalate warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, glaucoma, heart disease, or a seizure disorder.
For some children, teenagers, and young adults, this medicine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients of any age who take an antidepressant medication should be closely monitored for changes in mood and behavior. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any thoughts or behavior changes that concern you. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has a history of bipolar disorder or suicide attempts.
This medicine may cause the following problems: serotonin syndrome (more likely when taken with certain medicines), low sodium levels, and increased risk of bleeding problems.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid alcohol while taking escitalopram.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Your doctor may want to monitor your child's weight and height because this medicine may cause decreased appetite and weight loss in children.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach and out of sight of children. Never share your medicine with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms.
Escitalopram Oxalate interactions
Use of this medicine together with pimozide is not recommended. Do not use this medicine and an MAOI within 14 days of each other.
Some medicines can affect how escitalopram works. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including Rx and OTC drugs, vitamins, and supplements. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: buspirone, carbamazepine, cimetidine, fentanyl, lithium, St. John's wort, tramadol, or tryptophan supplements, amphetamines (such as Adderall), blood thinners (including warfarin), diuretics (water pills), NSAIDs (including aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen), or triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches (including sumatriptan).
Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
Escitalopram Oxalate side effects
Serious Side Effects: Call 911 and go to the emergency room for immediate medical help if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you feel like you are having a medical emergency.
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Feeling more excited or energetic than usual, racing thoughts, trouble sleeping
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual behavior (call 911, or call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
Confusion, weakness, and muscle twitching
Eye pain, vision changes, seeing halos around lights
Seizures
Less Serious Side Effects
Nausea, constipation, diarrhea
Dizziness, drowsiness, or sleepiness
Headache
Sexual problems
Dry mouth
Key takeaways, according to a pharmacist:
Escitalopram is an SSRI medication that treats depression and anxiety.
Before taking escitalopram, tell your healthcare provider about your medical history, allergies to medications, and all the medicines you take, including prescription and OTC drugs, vitamins, and supplements. While taking escitalopram, do not start any new medications unless approved by your doctor.
Take escitalopram exactly as directed by your doctor. It may take a few weeks until you notice an improvement in symptoms and up to about 6 weeks until you see the full effects of this medicine.
Report any changes in mood or behavior to your doctor right away. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Sources:
Lexapro, National Library of Medicine
Lexapro, Prescribers’ Digital Reference (PDR)
Escitalopram, National Library of Medicine StatPearls
Escitalopram, National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus