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