Cipralex
Cipralex contains escitalopram, an antidepressant that belongs to a group of medicines called SSRIs, used to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
10 mg
Active Ingredient
Escitalopram oxalate
Manufacturer
H. Lundbeck A/S
How to Use
Dosage
The usual dose of Cipralex is 10 mg once a day.
Method
Take the tablet with water, with or without food. Do not chew it, as it tastes bitter.
Important
Your doctor may increase the dose up to a maximum of 20 mg per day.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Nausea
- •Headache
- •Blocked or runny nose (sinusitis)
- •Decreased or increased appetite
- •Anxiety, restlessness, unusual dreams, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dizziness, yawning, tremor, tingling in the skin
- •Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth
- •Increased sweating
- •Muscle and joint pain
- •Sexual problems (delayed ejaculation, erection problems, decreased sex drive, difficulty reaching orgasm in women)
- •Fatigue, fever
- •Weight gain
RARE
- •Unusual bleeding, including from the stomach or intestines
- •Swelling of the skin, tongue, lips, throat or face, hives, or difficulty breathing or swallowing (severe allergic reaction)
- •High fever, agitation, confusion, tremor, and sudden muscle jerks, which may be signs of a rare condition called serotonin syndrome
- •Difficulty urinating
- •Epileptic seizures (convulsions)
- •Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, which may be signs of liver problems or hepatitis
- •Fast, irregular heartbeat or fainting, which may be symptoms of a life-threatening condition called Torsades de Pointes
- •Suicidal or self-harm thoughts
- •Sudden swelling of the skin or mucous membranes (angioedema)
- •Hives (urticaria), rash, itching (pruritus)
- •Teeth grinding, agitation, nervousness, panic attack, confusional state
- •Sleep disorder, taste disturbance, fainting (syncope)
- •Dilated pupils (mydriasis), vision disturbances, ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- •Hair loss
- •Heavy menstrual bleeding
- •Irregular bleeding between periods
- •Weight loss
- •Fast heart rate
- •Swelling in arms or legs
- •Nosebleed
- •Aggression, depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself), hallucinations
- •Slow heart rate
- •Low sodium levels in the blood (symptoms include nausea, feeling sick, muscle weakness, or confusion)
- •Dizziness when standing up due to low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)
- •Abnormal liver function test results (increased liver enzymes in the blood)
- •Movement disorders (involuntary muscle movements)
- •Painful erections (priapism)
- •Bleeding disorders, such as bleeding from the skin and mucous membranes (ecchymosis), and low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
- •Increased ADH secretion, causing water retention and thinning of blood, reducing salt levels (inappropriate ADH secretion)
- •Increased levels of prolactin hormone in the blood
- •Milk secretion in men and non-breastfeeding women
- •Mania
- •Increased risk of bone fractures
- •Change in heart rhythm (QT interval prolongation, seen on ECG)
- •Very heavy vaginal bleeding shortly after birth (postpartum hemorrhage)
- •Restlessness (akathisia)
- •Loss of appetite
Important Warnings
- Do not take Cipralex if you are allergic to escitalopram or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not take Cipralex if you are taking other medicines called MAO inhibitors, such as selegiline, moclobemide, or linezolid.
- Do not take Cipralex if you have an abnormal heart rhythm (seen on an ECG).
- Do not take Cipralex if you are taking medicines for heart rhythm problems or medicines that can affect your heart rhythm.
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your doctor immediately or go to a hospital.
Show 3 more warnings
- Cipralex should not normally be used for children and adolescents under 18 years.
- Do not drive or use machines until you know how Cipralex affects you.
- Do not use Cipralex if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless you have discussed the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Serotonergic. Risk of QT prolongation. A significant adverse effect is low serum sodium level. Increases risk of falls. Consider potential interactions especially with preparations that increase risk of bleeding. (updated 12.2.2024)