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