bipolar disorder and 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 bipolar disorder and lexapro. It maytake several weeks for you to start feeling better bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities bipolar disorder and lexapro. Lexapro may cause dizziness bipolar disorder and lexapro. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Use alcohol cautiously bipolar disorder and lexapro. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking Lexapro or affect your condition bipolar disorder and lexapro.
What is Lexapro?
• Lexapro is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors bipolar disorder and lexapro. Lexapro affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and causedepression bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Lexapro is used to treat depression bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Lexapro may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide bipolar disorder and 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 bipolar disorder and lexapro. A dangerous drug interaction can occur if Lexapro iscombined with any of these medications bipolar disorder and 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 bipolar disorder and 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 bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Lexapro should not be taken during treatment with citalopram (Celexa) bipolar disorder and lexapro. Also, if you have had an allergic reaction to citalopram (Celexa), you may alsohave an allergic reaction to Lexapro bipolar disorder and lexapro. Do not take Lexapro without first talkingto your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to either medication inthe past bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Lexapro is in the FDA pregnancy category C bipolar disorder and lexapro. This means that it is notknown whether Lexapro it will be harmful to an unborn baby bipolar disorder and lexapro. Do not take Lexaprowithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Lexapro passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant bipolar disorder and lexapro. Do nottake Lexapro without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby bipolar disorder and lexapro.
How should I take Lexapro?
• Take Lexapro exactly as directed by your doctor bipolar disorder and lexapro. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water bipolar disorder and 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 bipolar disorder and lexapro. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you canget one bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Lexapro may be taken with or without food bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Lexapro is usually taken once a day bipolar disorder and lexapro. Follow your doctor's instructions bipolar disorder and lexapro. Take the dose at the same time each day bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Do not stop taking Lexapro without first talking to your doctor bipolar disorder and lexapro. It maytake several weeks for you to start feeling better bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Store Lexapro at room temperature away from moisture and heat bipolar disorder and lexapro.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember bipolar disorder and lexapro. However, if it is almosttime for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take thenext one as directed bipolar disorder and lexapro. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwisedirected by your doctor bipolar disorder and lexapro.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Symptoms of a Lexapro overdose include nausea, vomiting, tremor, drowsiness,dizziness, sweating, and a fast heartbeat bipolar disorder and lexapro.
What should I avoid while taking Lexapro?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities bipolar disorder and lexapro. Lexapro may cause dizziness bipolar disorder and lexapro. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Use alcohol cautiously bipolar disorder and lexapro. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking Lexapro or affect your condition bipolar disorder and 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 bipolar disorder and 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 bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur bipolar disorder and lexapro. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome bipolar disorder and 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 bipolar disorder and lexapro. A dangerous drug interaction can occur when Lexaprois combined with any of these medications bipolar disorder and 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) bipolar disorder and 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 bipolar disorder and lexapro.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Lexapro bipolar disorder and lexapro. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products bipolar disorder and lexapro.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Lexapro written forhealth professionals that you may read bipolar disorder and lexapro.
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