Warnings


What may interact with Escitalopram?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

-certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
-cisapride
-citalopram
-dronedarone
-linezolid
-MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-methylene blue (injected into a vein)
-pimozide
-thioridazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

-alcohol
-amphetamines
-aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
-carbamazepine
-certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
-certain medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
-certain medicines for sleep
-certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin, enoxaparin, dalteparin
-cimetidine
-diuretics
-dofetilide
-fentanyl
-furazolidone
-isoniazid
-lithium
-metoprolol
-NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
-other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
-procarbazine
-rasagiline
-supplements like St. John''s wort, kava kava, valerian
-tramadol
-tryptophan
-ziprasidone

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Escitalopram?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder
-diabetes
-glaucoma
-heart disease
-kidney or liver disease
-receiving electroconvulsive therapy
-seizures (convulsions)
-suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
-an unusual or allergic reaction to escitalopram, the related drug citalopram, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to become pregnant
-breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using Escitalopram?

Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not get better or if they get worse. Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Because it may take several weeks to see the full effects of this medicine, it is important to continue your treatment as prescribed by your doctor.

Patients and their families should watch out for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch out for sudden changes in feelings such as feeling anxious, agitated, panicky, irritable, hostile, aggressive, impulsive, severely restless, overly excited and hyperactive, or not being able to sleep. If this happens, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose, call your health care professional.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.