Escitalopram Krka
Escitalopram Krka is an antidepressant used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
20 mg
Active Ingredient
Escitalopram oxalate
Manufacturer
KRKA d.d. Novo mesto
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose for adults is 10 mg once a day, but your doctor might adjust it.
Method
Swallow the tablet whole with water, with or without food. Do not chew it. Some tablets (10 mg and 20 mg) can be divided in half.
Important
The maximum daily dose is usually 20 mg, but for patients with liver problems or certain genetic factors, it is limited to 10 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 sensation on skin
- •Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth
- •Increased sweating
- •Muscle and joint pain
- •Sexual problems (delayed ejaculation, erection problems, decreased sexual desire, difficulty reaching orgasm for women)
- •Fatigue, fever
- •Weight gain
RARE
- •Unusual bleeding, including from the stomach or gut
- •Severe allergic reaction (swelling of skin, tongue, lips, throat or face, hives, or difficulty breathing or swallowing)
- •High fever, restlessness, confusion, tremor, and sudden muscle twitching (signs of serotonin syndrome)
- •Hives, rash, itching
- •Teeth grinding, nervousness, panic attack, confusion
- •Sleep problems, taste disturbance, fainting
- •Dilated pupils, vision problems, ringing in the ears
- •Hair loss
- •Heavy menstrual bleeding
- •Irregular bleeding between periods
- •Weight loss
- •Fast heartbeat
- •Swelling of arms and legs
- •Nosebleed
- •Aggression, depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself), hallucinations
- •Slow heartbeat
- •Difficulty urinating
- •Epileptic seizures (convulsions)
- •Yellow skin and eyes (signs of liver problems or hepatitis)
- •Fast, irregular heartbeat or fainting (signs of a life-threatening condition called Torsade de Pointes)
- •Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm
- •Sudden swelling of the skin or mucous membranes (angioedema)
- •Low sodium levels in blood (symptoms include nausea, feeling unwell, muscle weakness, or confusion)
- •Dizziness when standing up due to low blood pressure
- •Abnormal liver function tests (high liver enzymes in blood)
- •Movement disorders (involuntary muscle movements)
- •Painful erections (priapism)
- •Signs of abnormal bleeding, such as bruising and decreased platelets
- •Increased ADH secretion, leading to water retention and low blood salt levels
- •Increased prolactin levels in blood
- •Milk production in men and non-breastfeeding women
- •Mania
- •Increased risk of bone fractures
- •Changes in heart rhythm (prolonged QT interval on ECG)
- •Very heavy vaginal bleeding shortly after childbirth
- •Motor restlessness (akathisia)
- •Loss of appetite
Important Warnings
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to escitalopram or any of its ingredients.
- Avoid this medicine if you are taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., selegiline, moclobemide, linezolid) or medicines for heart rhythm problems.
- It may take several weeks before you start to feel better.
- If you have bipolar disorder and experience signs of mania (rapid thoughts, excessive happiness, high energy), contact your doctor.
- If you feel restless or cannot sit or stand still during the first weeks of treatment, tell your doctor immediately.
Show 4 more warnings
- If you have thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, contact your doctor immediately or go to a hospital.
- Do not drive or operate machines until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Escitalopram Krka.
- Do not use Escitalopram Krka if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless specifically advised by 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)