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