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