Lexapro online

Item name:

Lexapro (escitalopram) (Forest labs)

Generic name:

escitalopram

Brand names:

Lexapro

Item info:

Escitalopram affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause depression. Escitalopram is used in the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Drug class:

Escitalopram is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Interactions:

Do not take escitalopram if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) during the last 2 weeks.

A dangerous drug interaction can occur when escitalopram is combined with any of these medications. Before taking escitalopram, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• another antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), trazodone (Desyrel), or nefazodone (Serzone);
• a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
• a seizure medication including carbamazepine (Tegretol) or felbamate (Felbatol);
• a stomach medicine such as cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), or omeprazole (Prilosec);
• an antibiotic such as erythromycin (Eryc-Tab, E-Mycin, E.E.S., Erythrocin, P.C.E., others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin);
• an antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral); or · a migraine medication such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig);
• the asthma medication zafirlukast (Accolate); or
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs).

You may not be able to take escitalopram, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with escitalopram.

Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Side effects:

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking escitalopram and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
• low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
• high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision); or
• chills or fever.

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking escitalopram and talk to your doctor:

• headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
• nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, or changes in appetite or weight;
• sleepiness or insomnia; or
• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

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.

Prescription needed / OTC:

prescription only

Dosage:

Take escitalopram exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Escitalopram may be taken with or without food.

To ensure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of escitalopram with a dose-measuring spoon, cup, or dropper, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Escitalopram is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions. Take the dose at the same time each day.

Do not stop taking escitalopram without first talking to your doctor. It may take several weeks for you to start feeling better.

Contraindications:

You may not be able to take escitalopram, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Escitalopram should not be taken during treatment with citalopram (Celexa). Also, if you have had an allergic reaction to citalopram (Celexa), you may also have an allergic reaction to escitalopram. Do not take escitalopram without first talking to your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to either medication in the past.

Escitalopram is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether escitalopram it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take escitalopram without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Escitalopram passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take escitalopram without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Storage:

Store escitalopram at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Depression Medications

• Celexa
• Cymbalta
• Effexor-XR
• Lexapro
• Paxil
• Wellbutrin
• Wellbutrin-SR
• Wellbutrin-XL
• Zoloft