• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is escitalopram?
Escitalopram is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Escitalopram affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression or anxiety. Escitalopram is used to treat anxiety and major depressive disorder. Escitalopram may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of escitalopram?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• seizure (convulsions);

• tremors, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching;

• problems with balance or coordination; or

• agitation, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• feeling nervous, restless, or unable to sit still;

• headache, trouble concentrating;

• drowsiness, dizziness;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• nausea, diarrhea, heartburn;

• weight changes;

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or

• dry mouth, ringing in your ears.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take escitalopram?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from the medication. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Try to take the medicine at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label. To be sure you get the correct dose of liquid escitalopram, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

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What is the most important information I should know about escitalopram?
Do not take escitalopram together with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You must wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAOI before you can take escitalopram. After you stop taking escitalopram, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI. You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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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);

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Escitalopram has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of racemic citalopram. Human spontaneous abortion has been reported by the manufacturer of citalopram. Animal studies have revealed evidence of adverse effects on embryo/fetal and postnatal development, including teratogenic effects, when administered at doses greater than human therapeutic doses. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Escitalopram should be given during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.

Racemic citalopram is excreted into human milk. There have been two reports of infants experiencing excess somnolence, decreased feeding, and weight loss in association with breast-feeding from a citalopram- treated mother. The decision to continue or discontinue either nursing or escitalopram therapy should take into account both the risks of escitalopram exposure to the infant and the benefits of escitalopram therapy for the mother. The results of two case reports and a small study appear to indicate that escitalopram has a low potential for causing adverse effects in breastfed infants. In the study, mothers (n=8) received a median escitalopram dose of 10 mg daily (range 10 to 20 mg). At steady state, the mean milk/plasma ratio for escitalopram and demethylescitalopram were both 2.2 and the absolute infant doses were 7.6 mcg/kg/day and 3.0 mcg/kg/day, respectively. The overall mean relative infant dose for escitalopram and demethylescitalopram was 5.3% of the weight- adjusted maternal dose. Compared with maternal plasma levels, plasma levels of parent drug and metabolite in the infants tested were low or below the limit of detection. Assessment of all of the breastfed infants (i.e., case reports and study) revealed no adverse effects.

In one case, the infant was reported to have recovered completely upon discontinuation of citalopram by the mother. In the second case, no follow up information is available.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Concurrent or recent (i.e., within 2 weeks) therapy with an MAO inhibitor. (See MAO Inhibitors under Warnings and see Specific Drugs under Interactions.)
• Concurrent pimozide therapy. (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)
• Known hypersensitivity to escitalopram, citalopram, or any ingredient in the formulation.

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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

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medication. Symptoms of an escitalopram overdose may include nausea, vomiting, tremor, sweating, rapid heartbeat, confusion, dizziness, seizures, and coma.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking escitalopram?
It is dangerous to try and purchase escitalopram on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Medications distributed from Internet sales may contain dangerous ingredients, or may not be distributed by a licensed pharmacy. Samples of escitalopram purchased on the Internet have been found to contain haloperidol (Haldol), a potent antipsychotic drug with dangerous side effects. For more information, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or visit www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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