Escitalopram: Overview, Precautions & Side Effects

An Overview of Escitalopram

Antidepressants such as escitalopram may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children, adolescents, and adults (with the age of up to 24 years) compared with individuals who don’t take escitalopram to deal with depressive symptoms or some other mental condition. Escitalopram is generally not advised for use in kids with the age of less than 12 years, but in certain cases, doctors might consider that it is the most suitable course of treatment for a kid’s condition. You should be cautious about consuming escitalopram as it could cause your mental state to change strangely even for an adult aged more than 24 years. In particularly, in the initial phase of treatment or when your dose is altered, the thoughts of suicide may cross your mind.

If you encounter symptoms, including new or increasing depression, suicidal feelings or thoughts of self-harm, severe anxiety, anger, panic episodes, difficulty staying or falling asleep, violent behaviour, irritation, and severe fatigue, you must see your doctor immediately. If you are unable to call for help, make sure that your caregiver or family member is aware of any signs that might be serious so that they can reach the doctor on behalf of you. Your doctor will probably speak with you frequently when you are prescribed and actively taking escitalopram, especially in the initial phase of your treatment. Remember to attend all planned doctor’s appointments. Your doctor or chemist will give you the medication guidelines sheet supplied by the drug’s manufacturer when you start escitalopram treatment. Consult your doctor or a chemist if you have queries after reading the medication guidelines.

What is escitalopram?

Escitalopram, an antidepressant, is a member of the class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It influences the levels of the chemicals available in the brain that may be out of balance in those who suffer from anxiety or depression. It functions by elevating the brain’s natural chemical serotonin levels to support mental equilibrium. The depressive disorders of any kind are treated with escitalopram in adults and teenagers who are a minimum of 12 years old. Adults with anxiety are also treated with escitalopram.

Precautions to be taken before administering escitalopram

If you have an allergy to citalopram, escitalopram, or any of the compounds found in the tablet’s ingredient list, notify your doctor or chemist immediately. For a summary of the ingredients, consult the Medication Guide that comes with this drug or speak with your chemist. Inform your doctor if you’re taking pimozide, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors like isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, phenelzine, selegiline, or tranylcypromine, or if you’ve stopped taking any one of them within the fourteen days before your appointment. Most likely, your doctor will advise against taking escitalopram.

Inform your healthcare provider or pharmacist about your past medical records before taking this drug, especially if you have any of the following conditions including liver failure, seizures, gastrointestinal ulcers, insufficient sodium levels in the blood, glaucoma, or a family or personal history of bipolar disorder or depressive disorder. Untreated mental illnesses (such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder) can lead to severe health problems if you stop taking this medication without your doctor’s acknowledgement.

Escitalopram may result in an issue that changes the heart’s rhythm (QT prolongation). Rarely, QT prolongation can result in serious consequences like extreme dizziness and fainting that demand immediate medical care. Before taking escitalopram inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medications that you use and if you suffer from any of these medical conditions such as specific heart issues, including heart failure, an irregular pulse, an extended QT interval on an EKG, and a family history of heart issues, or if you have experienced a recent cardiac arrest.

This medication’s liquid form might have aspartame or sugar in it. If you have type 2 diabetes, phenylketonuria, or any other disease that necessitates you to restrict or skip these chemicals in your diet, you should consult your doctor to learn how to use this medication carefully. Children might be more susceptible to the negative effects of this medication, particularly decreased appetite and loss of weight. When kids are taking this medication, keep an eye on their height and weight. Use this medicine during pregnancy only if necessary. Babies delivered to women who had taken this medicine in the final three months of pregnancy might occasionally exhibit withdrawal indications like difficulty in breathing, epilepsy, rigid muscles, or continuous crying. Inform the doctor right away if you observe any of the above signs in your infant.

How to take Escitalopram?

Escitalopram is available as a liquid formulation and a tablet for oral administration. Typically, it is consumed once daily, without or with food or as directed by your doctor. Take escitalopram at approximately the same time each day to make sure you don’t miss your dose. Consult your chemist or doctor to clarify any guidelines on the label of your prescription that you don’t understand and have trouble following. Take escitalopram carefully as prescribed. Never consume it in quantities or frequencies other than those recommended by your physician. Your physician may initially put you on a low dosage of escitalopram and then increase it after a week.

You may have to wait for 1–4 weeks or longer to receive escitalopram’s complete benefits. Regardless of how you feel, continue taking escitalopram. Without informing your doctor, don’t stop taking escitalopram. Your dosage will be slowly reduced by your doctor. Escitalopram withdrawal symptoms include mood swings, irritation, anger, dizziness, vomiting, burning sensation, feeling numb, or tingling in the palms of your hands, fear, disorientation, headache, shivering, trembling, chaotic or unusually excited mood, fatigue, and trouble falling asleep. These symptoms may occur if you unexpectedly stop taking escitalopram. If you encounter any of these side effects while lowering your escitalopram dosage or right away after stopping escitalopram, notify your doctor.

What are the side effects of escitalopram?

If you experience any of the symptoms of an allergic response to escitalopram including a rash on the skin, trouble breathing or swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or neck, seek immediate medical attention.

Consult your doctor if you experience any new or more severe symptoms, such as mood or behaviour shifts, panic attacks, anxiety, difficulty falling asleep, impulsiveness, rage, restlessness, hyperactivity (mentally or physically), increased depression, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

Consult your doctor if you experience:

• Blurred vision due to swelling of the eye
• Discomfort or burning sensation when urinating
• Delay in weight gain or development in kids
• Headache, confusion, difficulty speaking, extreme fatigue, nausea, lack of balance, and a trembling sensation due to low sodium levels
• Extremely rigid limbs, a high temperature, perspiration (sweating), confusion, a rapid or irregular pulse, seizures, and an overwhelming feeling that you could pass out due to extreme nerve system response

If you experience any signs of serotonin syndrome, including anger, hallucinations, temperature, perspiration, shivering, rapid heartbeat, muscular stiffness, trembling, lack of balance, vomiting, nausea, or diarrhoea, you should seek medical care right away.

The following are common side effects of escitalopram:

• Issues with sleep (insomnia)
• Dry lips, feeling thirstier, and loss of appetite
• Dizziness and diarrhoea
• Frequent yawning
• More significant menstruation cycles
• Nosebleeds
• Reduced sex desire
• Pain while urinating
• Fatigue

Call your doctor for medical guidance about side effects as some other side effects could also arise depending on how your body reacts to medicines in different environments.