antidepressant lexapro
escitalopram (EEE sih TAL oh pram)
What is the most important information I should know about Lexapro?
• Do not stop taking Lexapro without first talking to your doctor antidepressant lexapro. It maytake several weeks for you to start feeling better antidepressant lexapro.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities antidepressant lexapro. Lexapro may cause dizziness antidepressant lexapro. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities antidepressant lexapro.
• Use alcohol cautiously antidepressant lexapro. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking Lexapro or affect your condition antidepressant lexapro.
What is Lexapro?
• Lexapro is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressant lexapro. Lexapro affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and causedepression antidepressant lexapro.
• Lexapro is used to treat depression antidepressant lexapro.
• Lexapro may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide antidepressant lexapro.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Lexapro?
• Do not take Lexapro if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)during the last 2 weeks antidepressant lexapro. A dangerous drug interaction can occur if Lexapro iscombined with any of these medications antidepressant lexapro.
• Before taking Lexapro, tell your doctor if you
· have liver disease,
· have kidney disease,
· suffer from seizures, or
· suffer from mania or have suicidal thoughts antidepressant lexapro.
• You may not be able to take Lexapro, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove antidepressant lexapro.
• Lexapro should not be taken during treatment with citalopram (Celexa) antidepressant lexapro. Also, if you have had an allergic reaction to citalopram (Celexa), you may alsohave an allergic reaction to Lexapro antidepressant lexapro. Do not take Lexapro without first talkingto your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to either medication inthe past antidepressant lexapro.
• Lexapro is in the FDA pregnancy category C antidepressant lexapro. This means that it is notknown whether Lexapro it will be harmful to an unborn baby antidepressant lexapro. Do not take Lexaprowithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment antidepressant lexapro.
• Lexapro passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant antidepressant lexapro. Do nottake Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby antidepressant lexapro.
How should I take Lexapro?
• Take Lexapro exactly as directed by your doctor antidepressant lexapro. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou antidepressant lexapro.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water antidepressant lexapro.
• To ensure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of Lexaprowith a dose-measuring spoon, cup, or dropper, not with a regular table spoon antidepressant lexapro. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you canget one antidepressant lexapro.
• Lexapro may be taken with or without food antidepressant lexapro.
• Lexapro is usually taken once a day antidepressant lexapro. Follow your doctor's instructions antidepressant lexapro. Take the dose at the same time each day antidepressant lexapro.
• Do not stop taking Lexapro without first talking to your doctor antidepressant lexapro. It maytake several weeks for you to start feeling better antidepressant lexapro.
• Store Lexapro at room temperature away from moisture and heat antidepressant lexapro.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember antidepressant lexapro. However, if it is almosttime for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take thenext one as directed antidepressant lexapro. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwisedirected by your doctor antidepressant lexapro.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention antidepressant lexapro.
• Symptoms of a Lexapro overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness,dizziness, sweating, and a fast heartbeat antidepressant lexapro.
What should I avoid while taking Lexapro?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities antidepressant lexapro. Lexapro may cause dizziness antidepressant lexapro. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities antidepressant lexapro.
• Use alcohol cautiously antidepressant lexapro. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking Lexapro or affect your condition antidepressant lexapro.
What are the possible side effects of Lexapro?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingLexapro 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 antidepressant lexapro.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continuetaking Lexapro 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 antidepressant lexapro.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur antidepressant lexapro. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome antidepressant lexapro.
What other drugs will affect Lexapro?
• Do not take Lexapro if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)during the last 2 weeks antidepressant lexapro. A dangerous drug interaction can occur when Lexaprois combined with any of these medications antidepressant lexapro.
• Before taking Lexapro, tell your doctor if you are taking any of thefollowing 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) antidepressant lexapro.
• You may not be able to take Lexapro, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicineslisted above antidepressant lexapro.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Lexapro antidepressant lexapro. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products antidepressant lexapro.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Lexapro written forhealth professionals that you may read antidepressant lexapro.
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