Lexapro

Escitalopram tablet What does this drug do? ESCITALOPRAM is used to help people with depression and some kinds of anxiety. What do I need to tell my doctor before taking this medicine? They need to know if any of these things are true about you: bipolar disorder or a history of it in the family Heart disease and diabetes Illness in the kidneys or liver using electroconvulsive therapy to stop having seizures (convulsions) suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts by you or a family member. an unusual or allergic reaction to escitalopram, the related drug citalopram, or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives. being pregnant or trying to get pregnant. breast-feeding How do I take this medication? You should swallow this medicine with a glass of water. You can take it with food or on an empty stomach. Take it with food if it makes your stomach upset. Take your medicine at the same times every day. Do not take it more than the instructions say. Don't stop taking unless your doctor tells you to. Talk to your child's doctor about giving this medicine to a child. There may be a need for extra care. Overdose: Call a poison control center or emergency room right away if you think you've taken too much of this medicine. NOTE: Only you can take this medicine. Don't give this medicine to anyone else. What if I forget to take one? If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is almost due, take only that dose. Do not take duplicate or additional dosages. What could go wrong if I take this medicine? Do not take this medicine if you are also: certain diet drugs like dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, phentermine, sibutramine cisapride citalopram medicines called MAO Inhibitors like Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Eldepryl nefazodone phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine procarbazine John's Wort venlafaxine This medicine could also react badly with: Use amphetamine or dextroamphetamine to get high. aspirin and aspirin-like medications carbamazepine\scimetidine Medications like ketoconazole and linezolid are used to treat depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. Warfarin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin are medicines that treat or prevent blood clots. drugs for migraine headache such almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan medicines used to treat tuberculosis like isoniazid, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine metoclopramide NSAIDs are pain and inflammation medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen. tryptophan This list might not include all possible ways for people to interact. Give your doctors a list of all the medications, herbs, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements you take. Tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things may change how your medicine works. What should I keep an eye out for while I'm taking this medicine? Check in with your doctor or other health care provider often to see how you're doing. Even if you don't feel better right away, keep taking your pills. Before you start to feel the effects of this medicine, it could take up to two weeks. Patients and their families should watch out for depression that gets worse or suicidal thoughts. Watch out for sudden or severe changes in how you feel, like feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, extremely restless, overly excited, and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the start of treatment or after a dose change, you should call your doctor or nurse. If you have been taking this medicine on a regular basis for a while, don't stop taking it all of a sudden. You must lower the dose slowly or your symptoms could get worse. Ask your doctor or someone else in the health care field for advice. You may become tired or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything else that requires you to be mentally alert until you know how this medicine affects you. Don't stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This makes it less likely that you will get dizzy or pass out. This medicine might not work as well if you drink alcohol. Try not to drink alcohol. Do not try to treat your own coughs, colds, or allergies without first talking to your doctor or another health care professional. Some ingredients can make side effects worse. It might get dry in your mouth. Chewing gum without sugar or sucking on hard candy and drinking a lot of water might help. If the problem doesn't go away or is very bad, you should see a doctor. What are the possible side effects of this medicine? You should tell your doctor or other health care professional as soon as possible if you have any of the following side effects: allergic reactions like rashes, itching, or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; confusion; feeling faint or lightheaded; falls; fast talking and excitement; feelings or actions that are out of control. hallucinations, losing touch with the real world seizures, thoughts of suicide, or other changes in mood Strange bruising or bleeding Side effects that usually don't need medical help (but you should tell your doctor or health care provider if they keep happening or are bothersome): blurred vision Changes in sex drive or performance, changes in appetite, headaches, nausea, and more sweating. This list may not describe all possible side effects. Where should I store my pills? Keep away from children. Keep at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). After the expiration date, throw away any medicine that hasn't been used.