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Escitalopram

This form:

Pronounced

"ES-sye-TAL-oh-pram"

Common brand names:

Cipralex Meltz

Uses

This medication is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (such as depression, anxiety). Escitalopram belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It works by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (serotonin) in the brain.

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved US professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used for other mental conditions (such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder) or binge eating disorder (BED). It may also be used for hot flashes that occur with menopause.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking escitalopram and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning or evening. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Dry your hands before peeling back the foil on the blister pack to carefully remove a tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. The tablet is fragile and is not intended to be cut, split, or broken. Place each dose on the tongue, allow it to dissolve completely, then swallow it with saliva. Do not remove the tablet from the blister pack until just before taking. You do not need to take this medication with water.

To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start taking this drug at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as mood swings, headache, tiredness, sleep changes, and brief feelings similar to electric shock. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.

It may take 1 to 2 weeks to feel a benefit from this drug and 4 weeks to feel the full benefit of this medication. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.